Nurse Practitioner

Job Summary:
Under the supervision of the Physician provides primary health care to the PACE Organization of Rhode Island participants, including assessment and development of plan of care in collaboration with the interdisciplinary team, provision of direct patient care and evaluation of effectiveness of plan of care. The Nurse Practitioner functions in a collegial relationship with physicians and other health professionals making independent decisions about nursing needs and interdependent decisions with physicians regarding health regimes. Assumes dependent responsibilities in carrying out delegated medical acts. The quality of care is under the direction of the Chief Medical Officer.

• Provides initial and ongoing participant assessment, care plan development, and implementation of plan in the clinic, nursing home, or home.
• Obtains a complete health history and records findings.
• Performs physical examinations, functional status evaluations and /or mental status evaluations, orders and evaluates appropriate laboratory and diagnostic tests, and records findings.
• Identifies and describes behavioral patterns of the chronically ill associated with development processes, lifestyle, and family relationships
• Identifies status changes in participants to facilitate appropriate management of problems.
• Participates in periodic assessment and coordinating 24-hour care delivery.
• Discriminates between normal and abnormal findings associated with aging, pathological processes, lifestyles, and/or family relationships as influenced by chronic illness.
• Exercise clinical judgment in differentiating between situations confounded by chronic illness, which the Nurse Practitioner can manage, and those, which require consultations and /or referrals.
• Interprets screenings and selected diagnostic tests.
• Provides preventive health care, episodic care and health promotion for PACE participants and arranges referrals as needed.
• Manages common self-limiting and/or episodic health problems.
• In consultation with physicians, treats acute and chronic health problems.
• Regulates and adjusts medications as indicated.
• Recommends symptomatic treatments and non-prescription medicines.
• Assists clients and families to assure greater responsibility for their own health maintenance and illness care by providing instruction, counseling, and guidance.
• Monitors participants in the hospital, nursing home and group home to provide continuity of care and assists in discharge planning.
• Evaluates the effectiveness of the participant’s plan of care and revises as appropriate.
• Ability to utilize basic computer skills in the marketplace.
• Functions as a member of the Interdisciplinary Team and participates in development of comprehensive plan of care and ongoing monitoring of participant’s health status.
• Maintains current, accurate documentation of health care services, and prepares reports as required.
• Participates in participant-related conferences as designated.
• Protects privacy and maintains confidentiality of sensitive employee, participant and agency information.
• Serves on various committees of the organization as requested.
• Required to work at all PACE-RI sites as necessary as well as in the community as needed.
• Demonstrates an understanding of the importance of clear, thorough documentation as crucial to good participant care ; completes and enters accurate, thorough participant documentation in the electronic health record; enters documentation for assessments, orders, and notes within required timeframes.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Required Skills & Abilities:
Ability to maintain confidentiality
Dependable and punctual with ability to maintain consistent attendance
Ability to read, write and comprehend English
Ability to maintain sound judgement under stress and communicate effectively
Ability to proficiently perform clinical/skilled tasks associated within scope of position
Proficiency with MS Office Suite or similar software

Education Requirement:
Master's Degree, Required

Physical Requirements:
Physical ability to regularly stoop, bend, kneel, lift, stand, walk, stretch and reach for extended periods of time.
Must be able to regularly lift objects up to 25 pounds and at times up to 35 pounds.
Must be able to assist a 200-250 lb participant, using proper body mechanics.
Must have hearing and vision abilities within normal range (corrected) to drive safely and/or to observe and communicate with participants.
Must be able to navigate various departments of the organization's physical premises as well as related community care settings.
Must be able to tolerate conditions typically associated within a medical office and/or home care setting including potential exposure to bloodborne pathogens and infectious diseases.
Must be able to complete assignments in variable weather conditions and ever-changing and sometimes allergenic environments in participant homes, including extreme heat, humidity, dust, smoke, pet contamination, and cleaning supplies.

Experience:
2 Years of direct clinical work, Preferred
1 Year of experience in a Medical or Geriatric Care setting, Preferred
1 year of experience working with a frail or elderly population, Preferred

Licensure & Certification Requirements:
RI Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) and Controlled Substance Registration (CSR-APRN)

Position Requirements:
Graduate from an APRN graduate or post-graduate program recognized by the US Secretary of Education and/or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation Certified by the Board in the APRN role and population focus appropriate to education preparation.
CPR Certification
Driver's License & access to reliable transportation