Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant

Position Summary

The Nurse Practitioner (NP) or Physician Assistant (PA) is a primary care provider who manages uncomplicated acute and stable chronic illness. The NP/PA is responsible for health assessment, early detection of illness, health promotion, disease prevention and management. May also develop/coordinate special programs related to area of expertise.

Position Status

This is a full-time or part time, exempt position. The NP/PA works under the medical direction of a licensed physician and reports to the Medical Director.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Accesses resources for indigent, uninsured, disabled or medical underinsured patients and families from federal, state, or local programs
• Assumes on call responsibilities mutually agreed upon with Medical Director
• Collaborates with the health team and other community agencies in providing comprehensive care
• Coordinates follow up contacts with patients as needed in regard to abnormal test results, need for additional treatment, referral to specialist(s), etc.
• Delegates to clinical staff assessments, treatments or tasks appropriate to licensure, competency and knowledge
• Determines individual patient and family educational and informational needs and provides/coordinates knowledge acquisition
• Establishes and maintains appropriate clinical privileges
• Establishes diagnosis based on assessment and appropriate diagnostic tests and procedures
• Implements treatment plans within established medical protocols and determines plan for reassessment
• Includes health promotion, prevention, and maintenance in health instruction relevant to the patient
• Maintains and enhances a current level of knowledge relative to professional practice as well as continuing education requirements necessary for licensure
• Manages the care of patients in collaboration with other health professionals and members of the healthcare team in order to make decisions about treatment and attain health goals.
• Orders and interprets tests and diagnostic studies as indicated and within patient care guidelines and standards
• Participates on Quality Assurance committees as assigned by the Medical Director
• Performs comprehensive health assessment through patient/family history taking, physical examination and assessment of response to actual or potential health problems
• Prescribes and regulates medications as per collaborative agreement
• Provides care at off site locations as assigned
• Records all assessments, observations, treatment plans, interventions and evaluation in the medical records
• Performs other duties of a NP/PA as required

Education and Experience

• Ability to relate to the economically disadvantaged and minority population of the community
• Currently licensed to practice in the State of Illinois
• Minimum of three (3) years current clinical experience, one (1) year in area of specialty preferred

Competencies

• Ability to learn reasonably quickly
• Ability to follow established procedures and maintain high level of organization
• Ability to maintain confidentiality
• Ability to multi-task
• Ability to relate to persons of various economic levels and cultures
• Ability to remain relaxed and calm under stressful situations
• Ability to speak and write fluently in English; Spanish desirable
• Ability to work independently and cooperatively
• Above average level of interest in working with people and data
• Complies with clinic regulatory standards
• Cooperative and non-competitive attitude with ability to take initiative
• Demonstrate integrity, professionalism and superior customer service skills while working in a fast-paced, moderately stressful environment
• Extensive knowledge of physical assessment, diagnosis, pathophysiology, pharmacology and management of acute and chronic illness
• Maintains competence of clinical privileges as per policy
• Maintains professional growth and development per current medical practice standards
• Patient and staff friendly with excellent communication skills
• Proficiency in use of telephone system, computer, and basic office equipment

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand for extended periods of time, hand/eye coordination and manual dexterity necessary to deliver medical services and use equipment.
• Ability to work in conditions that include exposure to blood, bodily fluids and tissues, contagious diseases and/or other potentially hazardous materials
• Fine motor coordination sufficient to perform manipulative skills, such as, IV insertion and IM injections
• Moderate physical exertion including frequent walking, standing, bending, reaching and carrying moderately heavy loads (up to 25 lbs.)