Office Nurse Practitioner

Job Summary

Assesses the physical and psychosocial status of patients by means of interview, health history, physical examination and diagnostic tests. Interprets the data, develops and implements a plan of treatment, follows through on a continuum of patient care across the health-illness continuum and lifespan within protocols set forth and approved by both the nurse practitioner and practice physicians.

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum Education: None
Minimum Years of Experience: None
Substitutable Education & Experience: None
Required Certifications/Licensure: Current licensure as RN in the State of South Carolina;
Certification by appropriate credentialing organization recognized by South Carolina as Nurse Practitioner;
CPR, BLS.
Required Training: None

Essential Functions

• Documents all situations, both internally and externally, that may arise out of the ordinary or are necessary to maintain accurate patient charts/records.
• Provides diagnosis and treatment of common acute illnesses; prevention and maintenance health care to patients with stable chronic illnesses; and performs interim physical examinations for healthy patients within prescribed guidelines:
  • Elicits appropriate present and past medical history and review of systems.
  • Performs appropriate physical examination and orders appropriate diagnostic studies.
  • Discriminates between normal and abnormal findings in history and physical.
  • Establishes appropriate differential diagnosis.
  • Assesses stability of chronic illness and compliance with present therapy; monitors for complications of disease or therapy.
  • Establishes appropriate treatment plan.  Assesses need for hospitalization or physician intervention.
  • Determines timing for follow-up and orders appropriate referrals.
  • Counsels regarding health maintenance and disease prevention, and provides anticipatory guidance as appropriate.
• Provides health education to patients about ways to improve, promote, and maintain their health status, including but not limited to providing educational information on disease/disease processes, self-care practices, and positive lifestyle choices (i.e. diabetes, safe sex, weight loss, smoking cessation, etc.).
• Maintains accurate records, medication lists, and documentation of care and follow-up for administrative purposes and reimbursement of services. Adheres to agreed-upon format/protocol for documentation or records.
• Reviews and updates problem list at least on annual visit/episodic visit by patient and initiates problem and medication lists on new patients seen.
• Documents telephone calls with patients and specialists.
• Maintains competence in clinical practice. Identifies the knowledge and skills needed through self-assessment, peer review, and supervisory review.
• Participates in a variety of educational activities in order to maintain and increase competency.
• Uses continuing education opportunities as a basis for expanding medical knowledge and improving clinical skills, and incorporates these into the daily practice of medicine.
• Participates in developing, implementing, and interpreting quality assurance/risk management programs.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Supervises and intervenes with clinical issues and supports/directs triage by clinical staff when necessary. Implements clinical education and training or clinical staff when necessary.
• Is available for feedback on call-back and triage issues as needed. 
• Identifies barriers to patient care flow or delivery, and assists at formulating corrective  action.
• Adheres to the drug formulary developed by the practice. Prescribes within the practice agreement set forth by supervising physicians 100% of the time. Ensures updated and accurate practice agreement every 2 years as set forth in rules and regulations for prescribing authority.
• Maintains confidentiality of patient and of patient/practice information with no infractions as noted by supervision.
• Maintains current signed protocols reviewed and revised annually and as needed
• Regularly maintains a neat appearance and adheres to department/corporation  dress, including the wearing of appropriate identification.
• Demonstrates responsibility for individual performance and efficient utilization of products, supplies, equipment, and time to ensure the timely completion of duties and to promote financial viability through provision of services at a reasonable cost.
• Employee follows established safety precautions and procedures in the performance of all duties in order to ensure a safe environment.
• Ensure Hazardous Waste or Hazardous Waste Pharmaceuticals are discarded, stored, and managed with other compatible waste streams in containers that are properly labeled and closed prior to being shipped offsite for proper disposal.  Initial RCRA training is received within 6 months of the hire date and continuing with annual RCRA training.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.