Advanced Practice Professional - Pulmonary (Outpatient)

Position Summary

The Advanced Practice Professional (APP) manages comprehensive and individualized care for pulmonary patients and their families during the inpatient phase of hospitalization immediately post discharge (as applicable) and in the ambulatory setting. The APP coordinates involvement of medical specialty teams necessary to develop a comprehensive plan for the patient, and reviews the plan of care with the other members of the clinical team, participates in directing that care, performs diagnostic/therapeutic procedures and coordinates discharge planning (as applicable) and outpatient management.

The APP participates in the education of residents and medical/nursing students. Provide healthcare services consistent with state law and the requirements of the professional licensing or certification authority and/or hospital privileges, where applicable. Such service may include, but are not limited to.

Minimum Qualifications

• Graduate of a CCNE accredited nursing program with Master’s Degree in Nursing.
• National Certification by one of the recognized APRN Certification Centers.
• Licensure or eligibility for licensure as a professional Registered Nurse and Advanced Practice Registered Nurse in West Virginia.
• BLS Certification required with additional Advanced Life Support training at the discretion of the department.
• Pulmonary or acute care experience preferred.
• Eligible new graduates will be considered.

Preferred Qualifications

• ACNPs or FNPs considered.

CORE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manages comprehensive and individualized care for pulmonary patients and their families during the inpatient phase of hospitalization immediately post discharge (as applicable) and in the ambulatory setting.
• Completes daily rounds; consults and/or pre-procedure/evaluations.
• Completes integrated assessments. With the collaboration of pulmonary faculty or by following established clinical Guidelines and Protocols, orders additional tests or consults as deemed appropriate.
• Performs and communicates results of diagnostic tests following established clinical guidelines and scope of practice.
• Consults and communicates with clinic and hospital staff regarding abnormal findings in the evaluations of patients.
• Performs succinct comprehensive clinical evaluations and documents findings in medical record.
• Facilitates patient discharge by coordinating appropriate services and tests prior to discharge necessary for outpatient follow-up appointments in the clinic (as applicable).
• Develops a comprehensive individualized plan of care for pulmonary patients, which includes teaching, discharge planning, ambulatory follow-up and necessary referral to other members of the health care team as necessary.
• Demonstrates expertise in caring for patients across the age continuum of their educational experience and certification.
• Identifies unstable or complex pulmonary patient care situations and facilitates appropriate intervention in the clinic and/or hospital setting.
• Recognizes emergency situations and initiates effective emergency care.
• Evaluates pulmonary patients and serves as a coordinator for follow up procedures and tests in the ambulatory setting (as applicable).
• Assists in the collection of outcome measures (as applicable).
• Demonstrates critical thinking and diagnostic reasoning skills in clinical decision making by the identification, evaluation and management of the individual needs of patients/families.
• Bases decisions made/actions taken on the relevant scientific principles, established standards of care and/or research findings.
• Utilizes teaching/learning theory and appropriate teaching strategies in the provision of education to nursing staff, hospital staff, students, patients, families and the community.
• Promotes an environment that facilitates learning by responding to appropriate patient/family preferences, priorities and readiness to learn.
• Updates own knowledge base throughout the year. Completes all identified clinical competencies.
• Serves as a resource person for staff caring for the pulmonary patient.
• Provides educational programs to professional and paraprofessional personnel in area of expertise.
• Participates and initiates inter-disciplinary approaches to patient care, program development and education.
• Serves as a professional role model.
• Participates and provides leadership for committees and task forces.
• Documents hours and submits billing reports, as appropriate.
• Reviews and interprets pulmonary data from sources such as patient registries, clinical and financial reports, length of stay, access to care, and cost per case reports and recommends/implements changes as necessary.
• Participates in clinical trials and research studies with the Principal Investigator.
• Affords assistance in the collection of outcome measures.

Physical Requirements

• Heavy/Hard Work: Work requires strength and/or stamina, lifting, moving, stooping, reaching, positioning of patients, standing, walking, and carrying of patients, materials and equipment weighting 40+ pounds.

Working Environment

• Working closely with others.
• Protracted or irregular hours.
• Working around biohazards.
• Working around infectious diseases.
• Working with or near the deceased.
• Working with hands in water.
• Electrical hazards associated with patient care equipment.

Skills And Abilities

• Proficiency with computers.
• Strong communication skills.