Hospital Nurse Practitioner - Trauma

Natividad is currently seeking to fill one (1) full-time Hospital Nurse Practitioner in the Trauma Services Department.

About the role

Under general direction and utilizing standardized procedures and protocols, the Hospital Nurse Practitioner demonstrates an advanced level of medical and nursing knowledge, clinical and technical competence, and sound clinical judgement in the provision of high acuity care for patients hospitalized with life-threatening or serious medical conditions, or moderate to severe psychiatric disorders. Conducts physical examinations and assessments, diagnoses and manages care of patients with a high degree of independence within the scope of practice.

Responsibilities

• Assesses the health of patients by taking a complete medical history, doing a physical examination, initiating screening and diagnostic procedures; evaluates results of clinical findings and laboratory tests; reports any abnormalities to a physician.
• Identifies and manages, in collaboration with a physician, patients' health problems and/or conditions and refers any that require immediate medical attention to the appropriate practicing physician; assumes ongoing responsibility for follow-ups.
• Collaborates with physicians and other health professionals regarding health problems and conditions following established protocol relative to diagnosis and treatment of patients.
• Counsels parents or other family members regarding health maintenance in the area of trauma.
• Coordinates and facilitates referrals to other health or social agencies; maintains accurate records of assessments, follow-ups, and evaluations.
• May supervise the work of subordinate health workers and participate in professional and administrative meetings.
• Serves as a clinical expert resource to staff and other hospital departments.
• Maintains accurate records of assessments, follow-ups, and evaluations.

Requirements

• Valid and active California license as a Registered Nurse and Nurse Practitioner (or ability to obtain CA license prior to start).
• Adult-Gerontology ACUTE Care Nurse Practitioner Certification (AGACNP-BC) or Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certification - Adult Gerontology (ACNPC-AG).
• Furnishing number to furnish drugs and/or devices and a valid DEA number and certificate.
• Obtain an Advance Trauma Life Support (ATLS) Certification within 6 months of hire.
• Successfully complete the hospital credentialing process prior to start.

Qualifications

Any combination of training, education, and/or experience which provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities and required conditions of employment listed above is qualifying. An example of a way these requirements might be acquired is:

• Education: Successful completion of an approved Nurse Practitioner training program leading to licensure as a Nurse Practitioner by California Board of Registered Nursing, in the required specialty area and demonstrated ability to provide the full scope of patient care.
• Experience: Three to five years of experience as a Nurse Practitioner with demonstrated ability to provide the full scope of care for higher acuity patients, in the area of specialty, with little supervision.

Skills

Thorough Knowledge Of:

• Principles, practices, and procedures used in the diagnosis and treatment of serious health problems and/or moderate to severe psychiatric disorders related to the area of practice.
• Scope of responsibilities applicable under incumbent’s licensure.
• Provisions of the Nurse Practice Act.
• Principles of health maintenance and communicable disease prevention and management.
• Quality assurance and infection control practices and procedures.
• Medical terminology.
• Medications commonly used in family practice or clinical specialty including appropriate doses, indications, contraindications, side effects, and adverse reactions.
• Clinical significance of laboratory test results.
• Operations and care of medical equipment and instruments used in the area of specialty.
• Laws and regulations relevant to professional practice as a Nurse Practitioner.
• Ethics and laws under which medicine is practiced and governed and roles and responsibilities of allied health professions.
• Health care delivery systems, community resources, and referral systems.

Skill and Ability to:

• Provide health care services, which include taking a complete medical history and performing a physical examination, psychiatric evaluation, and other related clinical procedures.
• Identify and manage health problems common to the area of practice.
• Use common and specialized medical instruments.
• Develop and implement treatment plans for patients according to prescribed policies, protocols, and scope of licensure.
• Analyze, interpret, evaluate, and apply appropriate procedures and protocols and determine situations requiring consultation or referral of case to a physician or psychiatrist.
• Recognize social problems which affect health and mental health and provide initial treatment which may include but is not limited to education, counseling, and providing outpatient referrals.
• Write in order to prepare and maintain accurate medical records, medical reports, and case histories, to order laboratory procedures, etc.
• Communicate orally for the purpose of gathering information, explaining procedures or a variety of other matters to individuals with varying degrees of knowledge.
• Establish and maintain effective professional relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Work effectively under pressure and in stressful situations.

Conditions of Employment

• Pass a pre-employment physical/medical assessment.
• Undergo a thorough background and reference check process, including a Department of Justice fingerprint check.
• Possess a valid Driver License for the class of vehicle driven or provide suitable transportation approved by the appointing authority if required to drive on County business.
• Show original Social Security Card and a valid Driver License or State ID prior to the first day of work.
• Work all shifts, including irregular hours, nights, weekends, holidays, and emergency, on-call work as needed on a flexible schedule.
• Work with potentially hazardous and infectious substances.

Pay

Nurse Practitioner III Per Diem Salary Rate: $92.553 - $126.408 per hour.