Job Description

Advanced Practice Clinician – Endocrinology

Position Summary:

The Advanced Practice Clinician (Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant) provides health care services in the clinic setting to department-specific patients. This may include the provision of primary and preventive healthcare services as well as care for acute illness and injury. The NP/PA administers patient care and practices prescriptive authority in accordance with Minnesota State Law and the standards set by the Board of Directors of Stillwater Medical Group. The NP/PA will work closely with all physicians in the Department in order to ensure continuity of care and will be assigned a physician mentor who will be available to the NP/PA for consultation on clinical and patient care issues. The NP/PA routinely interacts with patients and customers of the Stillwater Medical Group and will demonstrate a commitment to quality patient care and service and will support the short and long term mission, goals and objectives of the Stillwater Medical Group. The NP/PA may be required to participate and share duties such as weekend hours and call responsibility as well as other duties as assigned.

Essential Functions:

• Patient Care
• Documentation
• Quality Improvement
• Teamwork and Customer Service

Duties & Responsibilities:

Function: Patient Care

1. Performs general patient examination and care involving observation, assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation.
2. Demonstrates technical competencies in performing medical and surgical procedures within the scope of practice, training, and credentialing.
3. Orders, interprets, and evaluates diagnostic tests, such as X-ray, electrocardiogram, and laboratory tests and communicates results and recommended follow-up to the patient.
4. Performs therapeutic procedures, such as injections, immunizations, suturing and wound care.
5. Instructs and counsels patients regarding compliance with prescribed therapeutic regimens, normal growth and development, family planning, emotional problems, activities of daily living, and health maintenance.
6. Develop health education and promotion programs and materials and makes them available to patients.
7. Involves patient and family members in decision-making and care planning as appropriate for age and development; gathers appropriate physiological, socioeconomic, and emotional patient data.
8. Develops and implements patient management plans and documents in medical record; Evaluates and revises care plan based on patient changes.
9. Completes assessment appropriate for patient’s age and development and records physiological and growth indices.
10. Demonstrates an understanding of health promotion principles and techniques and patient learning measurements.
11. Accurately evaluates patient problems in person or via phone and provides appropriate advice, intervention or referral.
12. Makes sound decisions in the best interest of the patient including knowing when to consult or refer patient to a physician.
13. Effectively communicates, verbally and in writing, with primary care and specialty physicians when necessary to coordinate quality patient care.
14. Recognizes and appropriately responds to medical emergencies.

Function: Documentation

1. Document accurate and ongoing assessment of patient status in the medical record in a timely manner and according to SMG guidelines.
2. Completes progress notes the same day as patient visit whenever possible.
3. Accurately documents and codes all services provided according to HCFA requirements and established policies and procedures.
4. Completes correspondence and requested forms in a timely manner to ensure continuity of care.

Function: Quality Improvement

1. Reviews medical records with supervising physician on a regular basis according to applicable standards.
2. Works collaboratively with the health care team to identify opportunities for quality improvement.
3. Assists in the development of new policies, programs, procedures, materials, or techniques to improve patient care.
4. Participates in SMG clinic-wide quality improvement initiatives.

Function: Teamwork and Customer Service

1. Responsible for developing and maintaining a positive work environment that supports favorable patient/public/employee relations.
2. Provide a competent approach to communication and professional interaction with employees, physicians, patients, and public.
3. Works collaboratively with all members of health care team.
4. Demonstrates an understanding of the link between own job responsibilities and overall organizational goals and needs and performs the job with the broader goals in mind.
5. Fosters a positive working relationship with physician mentor.

Machines, Tools, Equipment, and Work Aids:

• Personal protective equipment: gloves, mask, goggles/safety glasses/eye shields, lead aprons/gloves, moisture resistant gowns

Qualifications:

Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills, and/or abilities.

1. Graduate of an accredited nurse practitioner program and completion of Masters of Science Degree in Nursing – OR - Graduate of AMA accredited physician assistant program.
2. Current Minnesota license as a Registered Nurse and recognition as an Advanced Practice Nurse by the Minnesota and Wisconsin State Boards of Nursing – OR Current license as a Physician Assistant by the Minnesota and Wisconsin Boards of Medical Practice
3. Certification as a Specialized Nurse Practitioner by the National Certification Board of the specialization – OR - Certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants
4. Current DEA License.
5. Basic Life Support (CPR) certification.
6. Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) certification required for General Surgery.

Personal Development:

• Attend required SMG training and educational programs.
• Attend or complete at least the minimum number of hours of continuing education activities required to maintain license.

Physical Demands/Working Conditions:

• Intermittent physical activity including walking, standing, sitting, lifting and supporting patients.
• Incumbent will have job related tasks involving exposure to blood and other potentially infectious materials in the work environment.