Nurse Practitioner, Pain Management

Purpose of Position
Provides evaluation and follow up patient care and conducts selected health services for pain service patients under the direction of the Medical Director. Delivers patient care through the nursing process of assessment. planning, implementation and evaluation. Directs and guides patient education, activities of ancillary personnel while maintaining standards of professional nursing within the realm of Hospital Policy.

Description
Under the administrative direction of the Manager of Pain Services and the Medical Direction of the Pain Management Medical Director, provides supervised history, physical examinations, and follow-up care for patients receiving Pain Management Services.

• Maintains the standards of nursing care and implements the policies and procedures of the Nursing Department and the Pain Service. Assesses and documents the patient's physical, psychological, social, spiritual and learning needs and prescribes appropriate nursing action throughout the course of the treatment plan including evaluation, follow-up, and all phases of interventional treatment including conscious sedation. Initiates plan based on nursing process and implements clinical and technical aspects of nursing care according to established standards. Directs, supervises and evaluates patient care and teaching, assuring that proper practice is used according to accepted standards of care.
• Assists with or institutes emergency measures for sudden adverse development to the patient undergoing pain management interventions, i. e., respiratory arrest, cardiac arrest, total spinal, seizure, etc.
• Participates in identification of the aspects of care for the patient indicators used to monitor the quality and appropriateness of care, and evaluation of that care. Adheres to safety, blood/body fluid policies and procedures.
• Participates in an appropriate manner to the orientation and evaluation of new personnel. Assumes the role of resource person regarding patient care and teaching staff.
• Participates in at least four unit staff meetings per year, attends mandatory programs and obtains at least three hours of pain management credit per year.
• Assess personal and learning developmental needs. Maintains documentation of current and ongoing professional development activities. Regularly updates knowledge of techniques and regulations appropriate to the age of the patient served. Shows a willingness to participate on nursing committees.
• Participates in patient care staffing conferences: contributes information obtained or observed during patient interactions: collaborates with the patient and the pain service staff to develop a treatment plan.
• Initiates analgesic regimens including loading, programming, initiating analgesic infusions, troubleshooting trial and permanent stimulators, and refilling implanted infusion reservoirs.
• Implements prescription changes and treatment changes as ordered. Makes follow-up phone calls to patients as needed.
• Performs history and physical examinations and follow up care as directed.
• Assists in managing the operations of the Pain Program insuring that policies, systems, procedures and standards are adhered to.
• Assures that patient assignments are based on patients requirements and priority for care and the knowledge and skills of staff. Assists manager in interviewing potential staff. Orients and evaluates new staff during the probationary period.
• Assists manager in preparation of Pain Program operating budget.
• Promotes open communication, works with staff, Medical Staff and Program Director to coordinate medical and nursing care to patients.
• Assists in the development and monitoring Quality Improvement program. Reviews QI report and with manager implements follow up plan for identified problems.
• Serves as resource person and educator to a variety of CCH entities.
• Performs other work relate duties as assigned or requested.

• Challenges current working practices; identifies process improvement opportunities and presents recommendations and solutions to management. Engages and commits to the organization's culture of continuous improvement by actively participating, supporting, and promoting CCHC Pillars of Excellence.

Qualifications

• Master's Degree BENCHMARK EXAMPLES: Nurse Practitioner, CRNA, Director of Emergency Services, Controller, Pharmacist.
• Three to five years
• Physician Assistant is preferred to be Board Certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants.
• Nurse Practitioner with Massachusetts Nursing License.
• US Department of Justice and Massachusetts' Controlled Substance DEA Registrations are required for prescribing practitioners.
• ACLS and BCLS certification
• Successful completion of Cape Cod Hospital's Pharmacology exam