Nurse Practitioner

Description:

The Nurse Practitioner provides evidence -based care for a specific population of patients .The NP uses advanced assessent, planning and evaluatiting competecies, and approved procedures.

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. See below for more information.

Requirements:

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

Basic Requirements:

Expectations:
1. The NP is responsible and accountable for individual nursing practice and determines the appropriate delegation of tasks consistent with the NP's obligation to provide optimal care (ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses).
2. Leads and organizes delivery-of-care to assure continuity-of-care and peer accountability for practice, including access-to-care and discharge planning.
a. Uses sound clinical judgment to assess, plan, implement, document, and evaluate nursing care based on the ANA Standards of Nursing Practice. This includes prescribing and diagnosing.
b. Guides staff in the application of critical thinking and process improvement to improve patient care.
c. Anticipates and recognizes medical/surgical/psychiatric emergencies and initiates or leads others to implement appropriate and timely actions.
3. Provides direct patient care and/or telehealth care to adults with medical issues, including assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of health care problems which may include prescription of pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions according to the VHA standards.
4. Systematically evaluates current practice and formulates outcomes for groups of patients and/or organizational processes within area of expertise.
5. Demonstrates proficiency as an independent practitioner in professional practice. a. Demonstrates advanced skills, knowledge, and an ability to perform treatments, procedures and utilize equipment appropriate to practice. b. Independently manages patient care and collaborates with other members of the interdisciplinary health care team as necessary.
c. Demonstrates evidence of critical thinking skills in identifying, analyzing, and resolving patient care problems.
d. Documents appropriately patients' History and Physical, as well as requesting appropriate consults
6. Documents appropriately in the CPRS progress notes. a. Evaluates findings in collaboration with the supervising physician. b. Completes each patient's medication reconciliation according to policy. c. Writes appropriate provider orders and follows-up for implementation. d. Revises the treatment plan based upon patient assessment and diagnosis.
e. Uses the Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) per policy.
7. Demonstrates leadership through guidance and direction of others who provide patient care.
8. Uses a team approach to identify, analyze, and resolve patient care problems that result in improved patient outcomes.
9. Demonstrates grade-appropriate and consistent critical thinking skills.
a. Appropriately assesses, diagnoses, and treats patients.
b. Manages and treats patients safely and effectively, recognizing their practice core privileging agreement in alignment with Full Practice Authority.
c. Has a relative sense of urgency.
d. Takes the right action for the right reason.
10. Ongoing Professional Practice Evaluation (OPPE) is completed twice a year and is rated competent in all measured areas. United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. English Language Proficiency. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English. The Nurse II NP is a professional, independent practitioner with advanced education and appropriate experience who provides evidence-based care for a specific population of patients. The NP uses advanced assessment, planning and evaluation, as well as approved standardized procedures, to provide preventive and illness management healthcare incorporating the patient's age, gender, culture and learning abilities in the treatment plan. The NP works collaboratively with many disciplines to provide care, including physicians, pharmacists, registered nurses, licensed practical/vocational nurses, dietitians, social workers, clerical and administrative staff, community agencies and others asappropriate. The NP executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership, experience, and creative approaches to management of complex patient care. The Nurse II is a proficient nurse, who understands a situation as a whole and perceives its meaning in terms of long-term goals. The proficient nurse learns from experience what typical events to expect in a given situation and how plans need to be modified in response to these events. The Nurse II NP demonstrates performance and leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others.
Reference: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-6 Nurse Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office.

Physical Requirements: Lifting up to 35 pounds for 8-12 hours, intermittently; moderate carrying {15-35 pounds) for 8 to 12 hours, intermittently; lifting over 35 pounds with assistive devices in accordance with the Safe Patient Handling Policy except in emergent situations requiring prompt patient care; pulling for 8to 12 hours, intermittently; pushing for 8-12 hours, intermittently; reaching above the shoulders for 8-12 hours, intermittently, both hands required; walking 8-12 hours, intermittently; standing 8-12 hours intermittently; kneeling 8 to 12 hours, intermittently; repeated bending for 8-12 hours, intermittently; climbing and use of both legs and arms for 8-12 hours, intermittently, both legs required; near vision at 13 to 16" Jaeger 1 to 4, far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other eye; ability to distinguish basic colors; hearing aid permitted; twisting, simply grasp and fine manipulation. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures.

The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. The incumbent must complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as annual TB screening or testing, as a condition of employment.