Nurse Practitioner - Family Practice

Purpose of Position:

The Licensed Clinical Social Worker or Licensed Professional Counselor is responsible for integrated behavioral health services in compliance with applicable policies and procedures and other outside regulatory laws, regulations, policies, and procedures. This position conducts mental health assessments, develops integrated treatment plans, makes treatment referrals and conducts crisis interventions. Provides brief counseling for adults, adolescents, children and families and consults with patient's provider as a member of the multi-disciplinary health care team.

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Initial screening and intake (mental health assessment) to determine appropriate level of mental health care. Accurately record patient mental health history, progress notes, and referrals in medical record according to protocol.
• Consult with primary health care clinicians regarding the treatment of mental disorders.
• Assist patients in managing a chronic medical condition or an invasive procedure.
• Assist in the detection of “at risk” patients and prevent further Psychiatric or physical deterioration.
• Consult with primary care team as necessary and refer cases to specialty Clinicians as appropriate.
• Work with primary care team to effectively and efficiently treat, manage, and counsel patients with chronic emotional and/or health problems.
• Assist patients in prevention of relapse in conditions that tend to become chronic.
• Evaluate patient care plans with primary care team.
• Provide educational information and strategies to staff and patients for mental health management, coping, and self-care.
• Improve clinical outcomes with high prevalence of mental disorders.
• Identify problems related to patient services and make recommendations for improvement.
• Participate in evaluation of peers.
• Participate in patient case review process.
• Attend and participate in meetings and Quality Improvement activities as required.

Job Summary

The Nurse Practitioner (NP) is an advanced practice nurse who performs a variety of direct patient services including assessment, diagnosis, implementation of treatment, evaluation, and monitors the general patient management plan for Center patients. The NP is responsible for delivery of quality medical care to the patients of the Center and functions as a member of a multi-disciplinary health care team within the scope of his or her medical practice. The NP performs these functions under the general supervision of a licensed physician in a primary health care setting.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide direct clinical services and management of patients as defined in the standing orders, policies, procedures and protocols for the nurse practitioner.
• The NP will act as a member of the care team and work in collaboration with other health team members and is responsible for assisting in the promotion of the health and well-being of a panel of patients.
• Obtain patient health histories and complete physical examinations. Document findings, noting pertinent normal and abnormal findings.
• Order and interpret appropriate diagnostic and laboratory tests.
• Explain the necessity, preparation, nature and anticipated effects of procedure(s) to patient, family and staff.
• Perform approved therapeutic procedures based upon patient’s clinical status. Document patient preparation and response to procedure(s).
• Collaborate with physician and nursing colleagues and document in medical records and appropriate narrative summaries.
• Utilize prescriptive privileges as allowed by the Texas Board of Nursing. Document all prescriptions in patient’s medical record.
• Assess patient for change in status and institute appropriate interventions.
• Initiate necessary emergency interventions to stabilize patient.
• Maintain clinical expertise and competency (to include age specific competency) as well as demonstrate thorough knowledge of procedures to deliver quality primary health care.
• Provide clinic sessions, as scheduled, in direct patient care at Center site, including extended hours clinics if applicable.
• Provide an average of 12 primary care encounters per half-day session (4 hours) and provides services equaling to at least forty (40) hours per week in Center in addition to weekly telephone on-call coverage as determined by the Chief Medical Officer and as part of a shared call rotation between Center providers.

· Review all lab and x-ray reports for patients under his/her care on a timely basis and makes medical management decisions appropriately. Follows appropriate standards of care for each patient.

· Participate in specified health promotion, education and/or prevention programs as needed i.e. diabetes collaborative/health fairs etc.; attends and participates in Center meetings / departmental meetings and other Center functions as required by the Center.

· Provider is responsible for practicing accepted infection control procedures at all times to include attending individual/group infection control training, and to comply with infection control monitoring.

PTO, 403b, Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance