Nurse Practitioner / Physician Assistant - Gastroenterology

Major Responsibilities :

1. Provides diagnostic and assessment services. Secures a health history from patient and / or family, records findings, and evaluates them. Performs a complete in-depth physical examination. Orders / performs pertinent diagnostic tests based on age and history.

2. Analyzes data collected to determine health status and identify differential diagnoses based on history, physical exam, and clinical findings.

3. Partners with physicians regarding proposed plan of care. Formulates this plan of care with the patient.

4. Manages therapeutic regime as outlined by established protocols for patients with acute illnesses. (Protocols are guidelines concerning patient care that are established between the physician and nurse practitioner. The guidelines outline subjective and objective findings, treatment plan and follow-up). Reassesses and modifies plan as necessary to achieve medical and health goals. Confers with physician for clinical direction as outlined by protocols.

5. Documents patient care outcomes to determine effectiveness of plan of care. Communicates outcomes with physician.

6. Signed delineation of privileges at hire between NP and collaborating physician. Must renew delineation of privileges each credentialing cycle including :

• scope of departmental practice
• treatment of emergencies
• physician consultation
• writing orders / prescription

7. Prescribes medications from Schedules II-VI. The form of prescription may be written or verbal via telephone order. Written prescriptions may be initiated by the nurse practitioner after obtaining proper registration numbers from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and Drug Enforcement Agency.

8. Provides patient education. Acts as coordinator for admitting and discharging assigned patients. Works collaboratively with other health agencies and families of patients in the transition from admission to discharge. Confers with other health care providers including consultations and referrals to prepare a comprehensive patient care plan.

9. Within established protocols, under the supervision of the physician, nurse practitioners will assist with procedures in the operating room and with endoscopic procedures.

10. Enhances professional growth and development through participation in educational programs, current literature, in-service meeting and workshops.

11. Participates in department driven practices including on call scheduling, rotating weekends, etc.

Ambulatory Care Nurse Practitioners :

Completion of accredited program pertinent to the departmental needs (OB / GYN, Pediatrics, etc.) and has passed the appropriate certification exam.

Partners with collaborating physician or designee as necessary with complexity of problems or plan of care

Formulates plan of care with patient and multidisciplinary / interdisciplinary healthcare team

Maintains department specific competencies that are degree specific, age specific to the discipline and license specific per certifying authority.

Participates in department driven practices including on call scheduling, rotating weekends, etc.

Acute Care Nurse Practitioners :

Graduate of an approved Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program (ACNP) and has passed the ACNP board certification.

Under the supervision of designated collaborating physicians, conduct comprehensive health assessments, analyze date and formulate clinical decisions to manage acute and chronic illnesses.

Responds to sick calls of patients and treats them according to the acuity of illness.

Participates in department driven practices including on call scheduling, rotating weekends, etc.

Critical Care Nurse Practitioners :

Graduates of an approved Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program (ACNP) and has passed the ACNP board certification.

Under the supervision of designated collaborating physicians, conduct comprehensive health assessments, analyze date and formulate clinical decisions to manage acute and chronic illnesses.

Performs procedures such as central line placement, insertion of arterial catheters, lumbar punctures, paracentesis and thoracentesis.

Provides patient education and therapeutic management of the family in crisis related to critical illness.

Maintains competencies as directed by the division.

Rotation in the telemedicine intensive care unit (EICU-Hahnemann Campus)

Standard Staffing Level Responsibilities :

1. Complies with established departmental policies, procedures and objectives.

2. Attends variety of meetings, conferences, seminars as required or directed.

3. Demonstrates use of Quality Improvement in daily operations.

4. Complies with all health and safety regulations and requirements.

5. Respects diverse views and approaches, demonstrates Standards of Respect, and contributes to creating and maintaining an environment of professionalism, tolerance, civility and acceptance toward all employees, patients and visitors.

6. Maintains, regular, reliable, and predictable attendance.

7. Performs other similar and related duties as required or directed.

All responsibilities are essential job functions.

Position Qualifications :

License / Certification / Education :

Required :

1. Masters or doctoral degree.

2. Graduate of approved Nurse Practitioner program with certification.

3. Current Massachusetts license.

Experience / Skills :

Preferred :

1. 3-5 years of experience.

Unless certification, licensure or registration is required, an equivalent combination of education and experience which provides proficiency in the areas of responsibility listed in this description may be substituted for the above requirements.

Department-specific competencies and their measurements will be developed and maintained in the individual departments. The competencies will be maintained and attached to the departmental job description. Responsible managers will review competencies with position incumbents.