Nurse Practitioner

JOB TITLE: Nurse Practitioner

LOCATION: Frederick, MD

HOURS: M-THURS - (Closed on Fridays) Full-Time

PAY: $140,000+ annually depending on experience

FREE PARKING AT ALL SITES

Job Title: Nurse Practitioner

Reports To: Managing Director

Position Summary: The Nurse Practitioner provides comprehensive evaluation and treatment of patients with chronic and acute rheumatologic conditions in collaboration with ARA physicians and in accordance with applicable state laws, regulations, licensure requirements, and ARA clinical protocols. This role supports high-quality, patient-centered care through clinical assessment, diagnostic interpretation, medication management, patient education, and coordination of internal and external services. The position is full-time and based in an outpatient clinical practice setting.

Key Duties & Responsibilities:
• Evaluate and manage patients with common rheumatologic conditions, including but not limited to:

o Osteoarthritis

o Positive ANA workup

o Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) and Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA)

o Osteoporosis

o Gout and other crystalline arthropathies

o Sjögren's Syndrome

o Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR)

o Lupus

o Chronic neck and back pain

o Soft tissue rheumatism (e.g., trigger finger, bursitis, tendonitis, epicondylitis, carpal tunnel syndrome)

o Hypermobility syndrome

o Fibromyalgia

o Raynaud's phenomenon
• Perform comprehensive patient histories, physical examinations, assessments, and treatment plans in accordance with established clinical protocols, applicable laws and regulations, and the NP's scope of practice.
• Diagnose and manage patient conditions within the NP's education, training, certification, licensure, and scope of practice, and collaborate with ARA physicians as appropriate.
• Prescribe medications and perform office-based procedures as permitted by applicable state law, licensure, certification, clinical protocols, and available equipment.
• Order, review, and interpret diagnostic studies, including laboratory tests, radiographs, and DEXA scans, as permitted by applicable law and scope of practice.
• Develop, implement, and monitor individualized treatment plans, including medication management and follow-up care.
• Provide patient education regarding diagnoses, treatment options, medications, disease management, preventive care, and lifestyle modifications.
• Refer patients for appropriate internal and external services, including ultrasound, infusion therapy, physical therapy, and other diagnostic or treatment services.
• Provide consultation services related to infusion therapy for referring providers.
• Communicate and collaborate with supervising and other ARA physicians regarding patient care, including cases requiring physician consultation or escalation.
• Respond to phone calls, electronic messages, and clinical tasks from patients, physicians, and clinical staff in a timely and professional manner.
• Maintain accurate, timely, and compliant medical documentation in the electronic medical record.

Qualifications:

Education & Licensure
• Successful completion of an accredited Nurse Practitioner program with a graduate degree appropriate to the NP's area of practice.
• Current licensure as a Registered Nurse (RN) and Nurse Practitioner/APRN in the applicable state(s) of practice.
• Current national board certification as a Nurse Practitioner through a nationally recognized certifying body appropriate to the NP's population focus.
• Current authorization to practice as a Nurse Practitioner/APRN in the applicable state(s), including any required prescriptive authority, controlled-substance registration, collaborative practice agreement, physician oversight, or other regulatory requirements, as applicable.
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification, or ability to obtain certification within the timeframe required by ARA.

Experience

Prior rheumatology experience is preferred; on-the-job training will be provided. Commitment to ongoing continuing education, including rheumatology-specific learning.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities - Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Strong interpersonal and patient engagement skills. Solid diagnostic, analytical, and problem-solving abilities. Strong organizational skills with attention to detail. Ability to prioritize tasks and manage time effectively in a fast-paced clinical environment. Ability to work collaboratively with physicians, clinical staff, and interdisciplinary teams.

Working Conditions / Other:
• Work is performed primarily in a clinical healthcare environment.
• May be exposed to bloodborne pathogens, physical hazards (e.g., needle sticks), and chemical hazards.
• Physical demands include prolonged standing, walking, and sitting; bending, stooping, and stretching; and sufficient manual dexterity to operate clinical and office equipment.
• Must be able to push, pull, and lift up to 50 pounds to assist with patient mobility.
• Requires adequate hearing and vision to perform clinical assessments and documentation.

Compliance & HIPAA:
• Comply with all company policies related to patient confidentiality, HIPAA, physical security, and cyber security.
• Access to Protected Health Information (PHI) is limited to the minimum necessary based on the assigned computer role of "Physician," as defined in the HIPAA manual.
• Demonstrates ethical, honest, and responsible conduct and reports any suspected fraudulent or unethical behavior in accordance with organizational policy.

Disclaimer:
• The foregoing description is not intended and should not be construed to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, efforts, or working conditions associated with the job. It is intended to be an accurate reflection of the general nature and level of the job.