Immediate Care NP/PA

Responsibilities

• Provides diagnosis and treatment for common acute illnesses, prevention and maintenance care to patients with stable chronic illnesses and performs interim physical exams for healthy patients within nurse protocol. Nurse Protocol means a written document mutually agreed upon and signed by a nurse and Licensed MD where the physician delegates to the nurse the authority to perform certain medical acts.
• Separates patients with suspected infectious diseases such as tuberculosis and varicella-zoster from well patients by immediately placing them in exam room utilizing personal protective equipment and confidentially communicating the condition to other clinical staff.
• Elicits appropriate present and past medical history and review of symptoms. Performs appropriate physical examination and orders appropriate diagnostic studies. Discriminates between normal and abnormal findings in history and physical. Establishes the appropriate differential diagnosis. Assesses the stability of chronic illness and compliance with present therapy; monitors complication of disease or therapy. Establishes appropriate treatment plan and assesses need for hospitalization or physician intervention. Determines timing for follow up and orders appropriate referrals. Counsels regarding health promotion and disease prevention and provides anticipated guidance as appropriate.
• Provides Health Education to Patients: Educates patient on ways to improve, promote and maintain health status including providing educational information on disease, self-care practices and positive lifestyle choices.