Nurse Practitioner (NP)

Essential Functions

• Provides primary and preventive medical care to meet the needs (physical, mental, and emotional) of patients under a limited scope of Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes and within his/her skills and training.
• Functions within the scope of practice of the state Nurse Practice Act (NPA), the Joint Commission standards, the VA Medical Center guidelines, and Officer of the Inspector General.
• Works closely with the Patient Aliened Care Team (PACT) and extended support staff including daily huddles with the team.
• Emphasizes wellness, prevention, and early detection.
• Supervises support staff in delivery of care to patients.
• Maintains universal precautions and infection control practices.
• Provides smooth and timely flow of patients in accordance with the Veteran Administration's (VA) access standards and triage protocol.
• Performs cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and assists during respiratory and cardiac arrest procedures.
• Investigates health problems or health needs by gathering and assessing historical information.
• Performs a physical examination appropriate to the patient's history.
• Determines health problems based on interpretation of the patient's history, physical exam findings, and diagnostic test results.
• Develops a treatment plan, tailored to the patient's needs, which includes health education, pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatment.
• Prescribes medications, as appropriate.
• Evaluates the results of the treatment plan, modifying the plan as needed to achieve the treatment goals.
• Makes referrals for specialty evaluation or treatment.
• Directs and coordinates the provision of health care services for patients in primary care, i.e., walk in patients.
• Provides a model for clinical practice within the clinic setting.
• Sets up and operates therapeutic and emergency equipment, including monitor, electrocardiogram (EKG), oxygen, automatic electronic defibrillator (AED) and portable suction.
• Obtains patient history on new and follow-up and record appropriate findings according to VA standards.
• Performs initial and periodic physical examinations within limits of privileges and record findings.
• Orders diagnostic tests according to the chief complaint, physical and emotional/mental findings and symptoms.
• Demonstrates the knowledge of pharmacology.
• Prescribes and administers medication within limits of privileges and state and federal regulations.
• Recommends and follows up on laboratory tests and specialized diagnostic procedures, as deemed necessary.
• Documents all pertinent patient information in the medical records and Veterans Health Information Systems and Technology Architecture (VISTA) to demonstrate quality care delivery and promote continuity of care.
• Keeps the VISTA clinic reminder tracking system current for each enrolled patient.
• Closes patient charts within 24-72 hours of encounter and places Return to Clinic (RTC) orders promptly.
• Assists in scheduling patients for initial and follow-up appointments in accordance with the VA's access standards and the patient's medical necessity.
• Keeps patients informed of their plan of care, including lab and diagnostic test results as needed.
• Provides health educational materials, resources and education to patients and their families for informational purposes and in accordance to their need and learning capacity.
• Aids in managing the CBOC's day-to-day activity.

Required Skills

• Three years of clinical nursing experience is required. Minimum of one-year clinical experience as an APRN is required (three years preferred).
• Experience in outpatient care in a Family Medicine or Internal Medicine environment is preferred.
• APRN must have a current and unrestricted DEA License (APRN will be required to obtain and maintain a Scope of Practice/Collaborative Agreement with a state licensed physician prior to delivery of health care).
• Current and unrestricted New York license. Must comply will all state requirements and regulations.
• Possess Basic Life Support (BLS)/Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification from American Heart Association (AHA) or the Military Training Network (MTN).
• Prescriptive authority in accordance with state rules and regulations.
• Ability to set realistic, measurable education goals for patients, taking into consideration patient/family needs, level of understanding, and available local resources.
• Ability to develop and provide individualized and group counseling, guidance, and health instruction with a focus on disease prevention and health maintenance.
• Experience with safe and reasonable practices regarding opioid medications for chronic pain.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Software and excellent computer maneuverability.
• Must have exceptional diplomatic communication skills and experience in handling difficult customer situations.
• Must be detail oriented and have the ability to multi-task.

Required Education

• Must possess a master's degree in nursing from an NLNAC or CCNE accredited nursing program.
• Must maintain a full and current certification as a Nurse Practitioner from the American Nurses Association (ANA).
• Must have ANA certification as a Nurse Practitioner in either Adult Health or Family Practice.