Nurse Practitioner - Emergency Department

Job Summary

The nurse practitioner shall, under appropriate direction and supervision by the ED physician, provide emergency and primary health care services for ED patients in accordance with the privileges delineated and approved by the Medical Staff. Will perform duties consistent with the needs of the communities served, in a manner that reflects the physical, psychological and spiritual healing ministry of Christ. The Core Values to be considered are: Respect for Human Dignity, Compassionate Caring, Stewardship, Quality, Justice and Corporate Compliance.

Qualifications

Education:

Nurse Practitioner with a Master of Science Degree; must hold a current Advanced Practice Nursing license in the State of Indiana with authority to prescribe legend drugs, including controlled substances; must also possess an Indiana Controlled Substances Registration and a Federal Drug Enforcement Administration Registration.

Training: Preceptor orientation as needed. ACLS and BCLS required. PALS or ENPC recommended.

Experience: Previous Emergency Department experience preferred.

Job Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge and application of the principles of Emergency Medicine and trauma care. Skills proficient to perform any emergency procedures necessary for quality patient care within his/her scope of practice and has been credentialed to perform those procedures. Must have ability to make critical decisions and accept responsibility for those decisions. Collaborate with or refer to a physician in managing a patient as needed. Function within the legal boundaries of a nurse practitioner and shall have and utilize knowledge of the statutes and rules governing a nurse practitioner, including state and federal drug laws and regulations, states and federal confidentiality laws and regulations, and state and federal medical records access laws. Retain professional accountability for any delegated intervention, and delegate interventions only as authorized by Indiana Code 25-23-1 and Title 848 of the Indiana State Board of Nursing Administrative Code. Maintain current knowledge and skills in the nurse practitioner area. Must have excellent communication skills in relating to patients, other physicians, administration, nurses, visitors, media, employees, and outside agencies. Must have knowledge of patient and staff issues including safety, Infection Control, and Standard Precautions.

Performance Requirements

Responsibility for:

Assess patients by using advanced knowledge and skills to identify abnormal conditions, diagnose health problems, evaluate patient outcomes, and collaborate with or refer to the ED physician or other consultants in managing care.

Use advanced knowledge and skills in teaching and guiding patients and other members of the ED.

Use appropriate critical thinking skills to make independent decisions, commensurate with the practice of nurse practitioners.

Function within the legal boundaries of the nurse practitioner and shall have and utilize knowledge of the statutes and rules governing a nurse practitioner, including state and federal drug laws and regulations, state and federal confidentiality laws and regulations, and state and federal medical records access laws.

Consult and collaborate with other members of the ED as appropriate to provide reasonable patient care, both acute and ongoing.

Consult with or refer patients to other health care providers as appropriate.

Retain professional accountability for any delegated intervention, and delegate interventions only as authorized by Indiana Code 25-23-1 and Title 848 of the Indiana State Board of Nursing Administrative Code.

Maintain current knowledge and skills in the nurse practitioner area.

Conduct an assessment of patients and families which may include health history, family history, physical examination, and evaluation of health risk factors.

Assess normal and abnormal findings obtained from the history, physical examination, and laboratory results.

Evaluate patients and families regarding development, coping ability, and emotional and social well-being.

Plan, implement, and evaluate care.

Counsel individuals, families, and groups about health and illness and promote attention to wellness.

Participate in periodic and joint evaluations of services rendered.

Conduct and apply research findings appropriate to nurse practitioners.

Participate, when appropriate, in the joint review of the plan of care. [Adapted form Title 848 of the Indiana State Board of Nursing Administrative Code.]

Perform clinical procedures as training, experience, and patient need allows.

Performs clinical exams/procedures including but not limited to the following: venipuncture, care and suturing of minor lacerations, casting and splinting, control of external hemorrhage, application of dressings and bandages, removal of superficial foreign bodies, incision and drainage (including Bartholin's cyst), bladder catheterization, IV and vein cannulation, GI decontamination, intraosseous infusion, management of epistaxis, oxygen therapy, slit lamp, vaginal exams, and wound debridement and repair.

Communication Skills: Requires both internal and external personal contacts on an ongoing basis. Position requires excellent interpersonal skills/relationships.

Physical Demands: Requires full range of body motion including handling and lifting patients, manual and finger dexterity and eye-hand coordination. Requires standing and walking for extensive periods of time. Occasionally requires lifting and carrying items weighing up to 100 pounds. Requires corrected vision and hearing to normal range. Requires working under stressful conditions and the ability to work irregular hours. Risk of possible exposure to communicable diseases, toxic chemicals and/or fumes, and potentially dangerous body fluids.

Special Demands: Reflect the mission and philosophy of Memorial Hospital and Health Care Center in daily work habits and contacts. Internal contacts with staff, patients and family members. External contacts with physicians, client companies, office personnel, hospital staff, as well as patients and their families. Tactfulness, courtesy, patience, flexibility and willingness to learn new skills, and the ability to work cooperatively with other required on an ongoing basis to adequately performs in this position. Maintains confidentiality in all matters, discusses patient data or other related work information only with physician or other authorized personnel in appropriate setting. Utilizes initiative and good judgment in adapting or devising techniques and procedures to meet the needs of the ED, patients and hospital. May be scheduled by Hospital to work one day per week at another ED owned or managed by the Hospital.

Representative Functions

Practices the Core Values of Memorial Hospital and Health Care Center and adheres to the 5-Step Customer Service Plan.