Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant - Neurology

About the Role

An exempt position responsible for providing primary care services, including assessing, diagnosing, prescribing, treating, and educating patients. Works closely with physicians and other clinicians in a team approach to patient care. May specialize in a specific type of clinical care, such as family practice, pediatrics, or geriatrics.

Responsibilities

• Assesses patient status by obtaining health history through patient/family interviews and chart reviews; assessing presenting illness, risk factors, family history, psychosocial situation, and cultural factors; and performing appropriate physical examination.
• Orders/performs appropriate laboratory diagnostic and other screening tests. Seeks additional information as needed, including consultation with physicians and other clinicians, for evaluation of illness.
• Integrates data to determine diagnosis and therapeutic plan, including identification of any health risks.
• Develops and implements treatment plans by prescribing/dispensing medications and/or injections in compliance with medical practice guidelines and state laws. Handles minor lacerations.
• Instructs patient/family regarding medications and treatments. Educates patients regarding health promotion/illness prevention.
• Recommends appropriate community resources to meet patient/family needs.
• Communicates appropriate case management information to other professionals and community agencies.
• Prepares documentation for medical records, including updating patient medical charts by posting examination and test results, diagnosis, medications, and treatment in written/computerized manner.
• Participates in peer reviews, chart reviews, staff education, clinical guideline development, and other continuing education and quality assurance activities.
• Demonstrates professional/appropriate dress, verbal and non-verbal communication skills, and effective written communication skills.
• Understands HIPAA guidelines and regulations, acknowledges patient rights, and acts as a patient advocate with empathy, resolve, and respect.
• Demonstrates continual learning, utilizes evidence-based practice, and cultivates effective partnerships with providers.
• Understands IT resources and appropriately delegates to ensure optimal operational workflow.

Requirements

• Assesses patients appropriately by obtaining health history and evaluating presenting illness.
• Orders/performs diagnostic testing appropriately.
• Documents treatment plan appropriately in the EMR.
• Demonstrates problem-solving using strategic critical thinking skills.
• Shows attention to detail in all aspects of daily work.
• Demonstrates effective communication skills at all levels.
• Operational knowledge of telephones, fax machines, postage machines, and other office equipment.
• Ability to handle patient confidentiality.
• Ability to work with peers in a team situation and create a positive work environment.
• Functional and technical understanding of applicable scheduling and billing software, intranet/internet usage, Excel/Word, email, and web-based applications.
• Required to check email daily and use it as a source of internal and external communication.
• Understands and utilizes electronic medical record technology.

Qualifications

• Current state license as an advanced registered nurse practitioner or physician assistant with prescriptive authority or certification as a PA (general or specialized) from an approved Physician Assistant program and current Indiana state Physician Assistant license with prescriptive authority.
• Current CPR certification.
• Successful completion of advanced practitioner training and certification as a practitioner (general or specialized) from an approved nurse practitioner program or physician assistant program.
• DEA license.
• Minimum two years of nurse practitioner or physician assistant experience.
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (required). Master’s degree (preferred).

Skills

• BLS Certification
• CPR
• Professional and appropriate dress, verbal, non-verbal, and written communication skills.
• Understanding of HIPAA guidelines and patient rights.
• Patient advocacy with empathy, resolve, and respect.
• Continual learning and evidence-based practice.
• Effective partnerships and collaboration with providers.
• IT resource proficiency.
• Delegation for optimal operational workflow.
• Caring, compassionate, and approachable in all customer contacts.
• Respect for customers’ privacy and confidentiality.
• Telephone etiquette and professional appearance.
• Initiative to address and resolve problems immediately.
• Personalized attention and prompt service for customers.
• Customer education and information provision.
• Advocacy, respect, and truth-telling in relationships.
• Accountability for own actions and conflict resolution.
• Learning attitude toward solving problems and openness to change.
• Punctuality and regular attendance.
• Adherence to practice-defined dress code and staff meeting attendance.
• Ethical decision-making with sensitivity to cultural diversity.
• Performance improvement through process identification and cost reduction.
• Understanding of customers’ expectations and active role in satisfaction monitoring.
• Diagnostic thinking and reasoning, utilizing feedback to drive performance.
• Prioritization of workplace safety.

Work Conditions

Physical/Mental Demands: Assist ambulatory patients independently. Sitting up to one hour per day for computer documentation and written reports. Walking up to one hour per day.

Equipment Used: Computer, telephone, printer, fax machine, copy machine, and equipment necessary to treat patients.

Environmental Conditions: Primarily outpatient clinic/office setting.

Mandatory Continuing Education

• Customer Service
• Fire and Safety
• Corporate Compliance (including Confidentiality)
• Infection Control
• Education required by regulatory, accreditation bodies, scope of practice, and/or Hancock Health.