Nurse Practitioner

Application :

Location: Lubbock, TX

Reports To: Health Services Regional Director in conjunction with Lead Clinician

Employment Status: Non-Exempt, Full Time

Grade: C-10

Job Details: 

• The Nurse Practitioner provides comprehensive reproductive healthcare services to patients at Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas (PPGT). Works as part of the medical team in collaboration with the Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Vice President of Health Services, Chief Operating Officer (COO), Nurse Practitioners, VP of Quality and Risk Management, Health Center Managers/Regional Directors, Health Center Assistants, Follow up Coordinators and other team members to assess the clinical needs of clients as outlined in affiliate protocols. 
• Orders interpret, and records results of clinical tests and reports results to physicians as needed. 
• Prescribes medications and makes recommendations for other forms of treatment, including birth control. 
• The Nurse Practitioner acts as part of the medical services team providing comprehensive reproductive healthcare including family planning and as outlined in affiliate protocols. Provides direct patient care including history review, health education, physical exam, counseling, diagnosis and treatment according to protocols, and meeting productivity goals. 
• Participates in accomplishing customer-focused goals and provides referrals and participates in follow-up. 
• Consults with CMO to ensure compliance with guidelines and participates in Risk and Quality Management program, clinician meetings, and other agency and center meetings as required. 
• The Nurse Practitioner works in partnership with management, health services, and CMO to provide the highest quality of patient care and excellent customer service. 
• Follows affiliate protocols, policies and procedures, and any center-specific policies and procedures. 
• Abides by the organization’s mission in performing job duties. Participates as a member of a team providing confidential, quality patient services, allowing patients to maintain a sense of dignity, trust, and safety. There is a dual reporting structure for clinicians. 
• Nurse Practitioners report directly to the Health Services Regional Director and clinical supervision is provided by the Lead Clinician. 
• Performs duties to ensure productivity expectations, customer service, and compliance standards are maintained.

Essential Job Functions & Expectations:

• Obtains, records, reviews, and interprets the medical and social history of patients.
• Performs male and female physical examinations with special emphasis on the reproductive system including breast examinations, pelvic examinations, cancer screening tests, diagnosis of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and other types of more specialized procedures as may be indicated by medical policy or protocols.
• Performs, orders, and interprets diagnostic studies as indicated and permitted by medical protocols. Performs lab testing per Clinical
• Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) regulations and according to PPGT’s lab manual or manufacturer’s directions.
• Complies with all PPGT policies and Medical Standards and Guidelines.
• Consults with the organization CMO or designee when deviates from PPGT Medical Standards and Guidelines.
• Provides relevant health instruction and education to include family planning, nutrition, sexual counseling, and principles of health promotion
• and maintenance.
• Performs all medical management within the guidelines of medical protocol and/or the specific direction of a supervising physician.
• Documents exam findings and other clinical aspects of direct patient care into the medical record accurately.
• Codes billable services accurately based on medical record documentation using accepted practices, i.e. Evaluation and Management (E&M), Current Procedural Terminology (CPT), and diagnosis codes (ICD-10).
• Ensures conformity with the policies and procedures of the affiliate, Texas Medical Practice Act, Physician Assistant Licensing Act, Texas Nurse Practice Act, and rules promulgated under those acts.
• Provides patient management to ensure that patients are provided with responsible and efficient care.
• Collaborates with the healthcare team and other community agencies and resources (physicians, local health departments, social services,
• Child Protective Services, etc.) through joint planning and coordination of activities, in providing comprehensive care.
• Participates in any research or clinical trials that may involve medical services that occur within the agency.
• Recognizes ethical, legal, and professional issues inherent in providing care to health center clients throughout the life cycle.
• Initiates and monitors appropriate follow-ups on all abnormal test results and referrals. Ensures all follow-up is completed according to PPGT’s medical protocols.
• Refers patients with abnormal findings or medical problems that are outside the scope of PPGT’s medical protocol to appropriate providers.
• Provides on-call and health center coverage as scheduled. Be flexible and willing to travel to other locations when needed to provide clinician coverage to centers.
• Remains well-informed about current contraceptive technology and women’s healthcare issues.
• Ensures compliance with state and certification agency continuing education requirements for licensure and certification maintenance.
• Actively participates in training and development in building support staff skill levels.
• May assist with the orientation and training of new clinicians.
• Develops and maintains a collaborative working relationship with Center Manager resulting in a team effort in meeting center goals.
• Develops a level of time management that is conducive to seeing 4-6 patients per hour meeting productivity goals and expectations.
• Follows all “Customer Service Standards” and promotes a spirit of teamwork with co-workers.
• Takes an active role in managing patient satisfaction by practicing patient-centered care and providing exemplary customer service to patients
• Creates and maintains an environment of dignity and safety for patient sensitivity and privacy.
• Responds to medical emergencies as provided in the medical protocols and is responsible for the organization and maintenance of emergency crash carts.
• Relates well to clients, staff, physicians, management, other clinicians, and community providers.
• Contributes to the understanding and acceptance by colleagues, other professionals, consumers, and the community at large, of the role of
• the Clinician.
• May collaborate with the area health team and other community agencies and resources (e.g. physicians, local health department, social services, nutritionists, dentists, and parent education groups), through joint planning and coordination of activities, in providing comprehensive care.
• Supervises and participates in the orientation and proctoring of new clinicians.
• Ensures overall quality provision of medical services at the health center by conducting thorough monitoring and assessment of systems, medical equipment, and supplies.
• Assists with ongoing evaluation and monitoring of programs and services related to center and patient services.
• At the direction of the CMO, maintains and revises the formulary as needed.
• Attends and participates in staff meetings as required.
• Completes all employee training requirements including handling of situations involving conduct that endangers the welfare of minors and mandatory reporting requirements.
• Works in conjunction with Regional Director, Health Center Managers, and Lead Clinician, to streamline processes to improve Health Center efficiency and patient satisfaction within the Health Center.
• As able, provides consultation to other clinicians and health center staff regarding protocol and medical management of clients, collaborating with the CMO as needed.
• In conjunction with the VP of Health Services, VP of Quality and Risk Management, COO, CMO and Lead Clinician, ensures that all Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA), affiliate, state regulatory, and grantee medical practices and protocols are interpreted, implemented, and managed by all client services staff.
• Participates in agency accreditation and performance reviews by PPFA, Department of State Health Services (DSHS), and others as indicated.
• Orders/recommends vaccinations and screening for evaluation of immune status related to pathogens encountered in the workplace according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendations.
• Complies with all mandatory reporting requirements.

Minimum Education:

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) and certification in specialty as a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP), Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM), Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, or Physician Assistant (PA).

Minimum Experience:

• Experience as a Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Midwife, or Physician Assistant in reproductive healthcare or women’s health is strongly preferred. In the absence of advanced practice experience, candidates must have direct patient care experience (in addition to clinical rotation/externship/internship hours) such as an RN, LVN, Medical Assistant, or laboratory technician in a supervised clinical setting such as: a hospital, ambulatory surgery center, clinic, nursing home or another related medical setting (excluding home care).

Required Licenses or Certifications:

• License to practice as an Advanced Practice Nurse with prescriptive authority in the State of Texas or License to practice as a Physician Assistant by the Texas Medical Board. Must be able to obtain and maintain appropriate licenses listed above and appropriate national certification (NCC, AMCB, AANP, or ANCC) and CPR BLS certification.

Agency Standards:

• Must have excellent computer skills with knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and the Internet. 
• Must have the willingness and ability to adapt to change including advances or new technology. 
• Must have excellent customer service skills and be committed to providing the highest level of customer satisfaction.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Must be able to work flexible hours including evenings and weekends.
• Must be able to travel within and outside the organization region as the job dictates.
• Bilingual in Spanish/English desired.
• Demonstrates continued competency in meeting educational and professional standards.
• Ability to adhere to the medical protocols of the organization and PPFA.
• Ability to think strategically and achieve the organization’s goals relating to the position.
• Ability to adhere to the compliance and regulatory requirements pertaining to the position.
• Possess effective analytical skills.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to multi-task.
• Ability to manage details and complexity, to handle a variety of tasks simultaneously, and to work under pressure.
• Ability to exercise initiative, sound judgment, and problem-solving techniques in the decision-making process.
• Ability to effectively use the organization’s computer systems.
• Skilled in verbal and written communication.
• Requires an understanding of and commitment to quality healthcare and excellent customer service.
• Be discrete and safeguard confidential information.
• Possess integrity and compliance – can be relied upon to act ethically.
• Demonstrates cultural and linguistic competence.
• Ability to work effectively as a team member.
• Ability to lead, manage, direct, and motivate diverse groups of people and possess the skills to delegate and supervise subordinates.
• Affiliate Knowledge: Understands the mission and structure of the affiliate and exhibits the agency’s core values.
• Organizational Awareness: Demonstrates a comprehensive awareness of the impact and implications of decisions and actions on other areas (departments or clinics) within the agency.
• Industry Awareness: Remains aware of PPFA accreditation standards and of the reproductive health environment’s regulatory compliance requirements. Understands how accreditation standards, regulatory agencies, funding, the external marketplace, and the competitive environment drives change within the agency.
• Work Management: Effectively manages time as a resource; establishes realistic priorities; schedules own time and activities effectively; gives balanced focus and attention to appropriate long- and short-term priorities. Develops action plans and budgets; leverages technology; anticipates obstacles; establishes checkpoints and monitors progress.
• Recovery Skills: Responds effectively and acknowledges responsibilities when clients (internal or external) experience problems or mistakes; rectifies the situation to restore client satisfaction; seek information and collaborates with others to take action to implement permanent fixes. Maintains stable performance and emotions when faced with opposition, pressure, and or stressful conditions.
• Interpersonal Sensitivity: Acts in a way that indicates understanding and accurate interpretation of others’ concerns, feelings, strengths, and limitations. Uses interpersonal understanding to shape one’s own response.
• Building Relationships: Shows genuine interest in others’ needs and opinions; establishes rapport; earns the confidence and trust of others; demonstrates consistency between words and actions; delivers on commitments.
• Advocacy: Supports others and actively contributes to Planned Parenthood’s success; celebrates others’ successes; collaborates across functions and departments to meet internal and external client needs.
• Adaptability or Flexibility: Responds with the flexibility to shifting priorities and changing work situations; recovers quickly from problems and setbacks; develops new skills to remain competitive. Adapts easily to change, sees the merits of differing positions, and adapts own positions and strategies in response to new information or changes to a situation.
• Coping with Demands of the Position: Uses effective problem-solving while working under stress, high volume of work demands, and/or time demands; regularly meet deadlines.
• Celebrates and exemplifies the core values of our organization: Cooperative and Courteous; Honesty, Integrity & Straightforwardness; Inclusive; Quality Service; and Creativity within the context of Best Practices.

Other:

PPGT celebrates diversity and is an equal-opportunity employer. We are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. The more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. To that end, employment is based solely upon individual merit and qualifications directly related to professional competence. We strictly prohibit unlawful discrimination of any kind, including discrimination on the basis of age; race, color, ancestry, national origin, or ethnicity; citizenship status; sex or gender; gender identity or gender expression or transgender status (including the individual's actual or perceived sex and the individual's gender identity, self-image, appearance, behavior, or expression); sexual orientation; mental or physical disability as long as you are qualified to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation; AIDS, AIDS Related Complex, or HIV status; perception of risk of HIV infection; or association with individuals who are believed to be at risk; religion or creed; genetic information; pregnancy status, including related medical conditions; marital status; past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services; or any other basis protected by law. We are a drug-free and tobacco-free workplace.

Essential Physical Requirements/Working Conditions:

• Must be able to bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, reach, and grasp. Must be able to stand, particularly for sustained periods of time. 
• Must be able to move about on foot to accomplish tasks, such as moving from one work site to another. Must be able to push/pull. 
• Must be able to work primarily with fingers such as picking, pinching, or typing. Must be able to perceive attributes of objects such as size, shape, temperature or texture by touching with skin, particularly that of fingertips. 
• Must be able to talk such as convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately. Must be able to hear such as the ability to receive detailed communication orally. Must be able to communicate effectively. 
• Will have substantial movements of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers. Must be able to lift and/or exert up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. 
• Subject to hazards including a variety of physical conditions such as proximity to moving mechanical parts, moving vehicles, electrical current, or exposure to infectious diseases. 
• Must be able to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; extensive reading; visual inspection involving small defects, small parts, and/or operation of machines (including inspection); using measurement devices. Health Center environment.

Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws. To view these notices, please click on the following links: Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) poster; Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) poster; and Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA) poster.

Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas offers comprehensive reproductive healthcare services. We are here to educate and care for healthy communities. We believe the needs of our community are greater than they’ve ever been. And that drives us to work harder, aim higher, and expect more from one another. Here, you'll be empowered to make an immediate impact for our organization and clients.