Nurse Practitioner - Rural Health Clinic

POSITION PURPOSE

Under general supervision of a Physician, the Nurse Practitioner provides chronic and minor acute care to patients at the HMH Rural Health Clinic to provide availability and accessibility of primary and emergency health care to residents of rural areas that have a shortage of these services and health professionals.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Every effort has been made to make this job description as complete as possible.  However, it in no way states or implies that these are the only duties the incumbent will be required to perform.  The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or is a logical assignment to the position.

1. Practices within the confines of established protocol per the requirements under Federal law for the Rural Health Clinic Act, under the supervision of a duly licensed Physician in the State of Texas.

2. Participates in the development, execution and periodic review of the written policies governing the services the clinic furnishes.

3. Provides patient care in accordance with established policies.

4. Understands, respects, and adapts patient care according to age, physical, emotional, cultural, and/or religious beliefs and needs of the population served. Understands, respects, and appropriately responds to patients verbal and non-verbal expressions of pain, confusion, emotion, and/or anxiety.

5. Maintains a safe environment for patients, visitors, employees, and self.

6. Appropriately refers patients to specialty services that cannot be provided at the clinic.

7. Maintains electronic patient healthcare records in accordance with state and federal mandates. This includes, but is not limited to timely, accurate, and clinically appropriate documentation in the electronic health record; and elimination of paper charting when possible.

8. Promptly follows up on the review and communication of critical test results

9. Responds in a timely manner to all patient calls or inquires.

10. Works in collaboration with clinic leadership to achieve meaningful use, quality, and DSRIP measures.

11. Provides feedback to improve overall clinic performance and quality care.

12. Participates with a Physician in the periodic review of the patient's medical record.

13. Provides Nurse Practitioner services only under the established written policies and procedures as required under the Rural Health Clinic Act and under the supervision of his or her licensed Physician Supervisor.

14. Performs his or her Nurse Practitioner duties in compliance with Article 185.7 of the rules governing Nurse Practitioners in the State of Texas.

15. Adheres to infection prevention and safety protocols.

16. Demonstrates an understanding of patient rights, including those pertaining to confidentiality, informed consent and privacy.

17. Demonstrates adaptability, problem solving and professional behavior at all times.

18.  Participates in a systemic, interdisciplinary, and ongoing evaluation of programs, process improvement, and desired client-centered outcomes.

19.  Promotes individual professional growth and development by meeting requirements for mandatory/continuing education, competence validation; supports department-based goals which contributed to the success of the organization; serves as preceptor, mentor and resource to less experienced staff.

20. Actively participates in survey readiness activities and assures that department is compliant with all regulatory standards.

21. Maintains CAQH profile and completes required updates.

22. Abides by the HMH Legal Compliance Code of Conduct.

23. Maintains patient confidentiality and appropriate handling of PHI.

24. Maintains a safe work environment and reports safety concerns appropriately.

Performs all other related duties as assigned.

LATITUDE, CONTACTS/INTERACTIONS

All positions of Huntsville Memorial Hospital are part of an interdisciplinary team, and as such, participate in the care and service delivery process through effective interaction with other team members.  Primarily interacts with hospital staff, medical staff, patients, and visitors.

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Graduate of a Nurse Practitioner program required.  Completion of supervised clinical practice; and meets criteria for working as a health care provider under the Rural Health Clinic Services Act (Public Law 95-210).

Experience: None required.  Two years of applicable healthcare experience preferred.

License/Certification: Current Texas licensure as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse required

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING CONDITIONS

Frequent: sitting, standing, walking & reaching.

Occasional: lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, bending, squatting & kneeling.

Visual and hearing acuity required; Color vision required for perceiving changes in patients’ skin color and colors of medicines and solutions.  Work is mostly inside, with good ventilation and comfortable temperature.

Possible exposure to: toxic/caustic chemicals or detergents, moving mechanical parts, potential electric shock, radiant energy, communicable diseases, blood borne pathogens.

Benefits

• Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
• Retirement Plan (401k, IRA)
• Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D)
• Paid Time Off
• Short Term & Long Term Disability
• Training & Development
• Wellness Resources