Nurse Practitioner

The Nurse Practitioner plays a vital role in advancing the Child Advocacy Center’s mission by providing compassionate, trauma-informed medical care for children when abuse or neglect is suspected. This position leads and supports medical services that help children and families feel safe, heard, and connected to appropriate care, while also contributing to the daily operations and collaborative work of the CAC team.

Essential Functions:

• Works as part of the CAC team, in accordance with the CAC protocols, scope of practice, local and national standards, and Missouri statutes.
• Gathers comprehensive medical and social history from parent or legal guardian and reviews case information from MDT members and other relevant sources.
• Performs sensitive and thorough medical examinations of children for whom there are concerns of child abuse and/or neglect.
• Documents examination via colposcopy and photography if indicated, and accurately details findings and recommendations in the medical report in a timely fashion.
• Participates in pre and post-meetings with MDT and family/guardians.
• As a member of the Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT), attends MDT meetings when an expert medical opinion is requested or in instances of relevant medical findings.
• Reviews medical records and provides medical consultation as requested by MDT in child abuse/neglect/drug endangerment cases.
• Provides treatment for sexually transmitted infections according to CDC guidelines for STI’s.
• Reviews all diagnostic tests which have been ordered by SAFE-CARE providers at the CAC, follows up as appropriate, and communicates findings to team members and family as indicated.
• Supports the Medical Program Manager and consulting physicians in developing medical protocols, policies, and procedures.
• Participates in quality assurance activities, including peer review of medical providers through participation in CAC provider meetings and through Missouri’s Visual Share quality improvement program.
• Provides education to medical professionals in the community, as well as MDT members, regarding child abuse evaluation.
• Testifies in court, as subpoenaed.
• Completes annual continuing education requirements to maintain status as a licensed advanced practice nurse and a SAFE-CARE provider in Missouri.
• Participates in CAC staff meetings.
• Represents the CAC at community meetings and serves on community work groups, as requested by CAC leadership.
• Participates in monthly SAFE-CARE educational and peer review webinars as time allows.
• Engages in high-quality, professional practice reflective of the Child Advocacy Center’s policies and procedures, state and federal statutes, accreditation standards, contractual conditions, and established best
• Performs all other duties, as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Other Characteristics:

• Ability to provide comprehensive, trauma-informed medical care to children.
• Knowledge of medical and legal aspects of the forensic medical exam.
• Knowledge of child development, ages birth to 18 years.
• Understanding of complex family dynamics in child abuse.
• Ability to work effectively in crisis situations.
• Ability to work as a skilled team member with CAC staff, volunteers, and MDT members.
• Ability to communicate effectively in court.
• Basic computer skills; proficiency with data tracking and case management systems preferred.
• Ability to work well under pressure to meet deadlines.
• Ability to function harmoniously in a small but busy workplace as part of a multidisciplinary team.

Required Education/Experience/Training:

• Licensed as a Family Nurse Practitioner or Pediatric Nurse Practitioner in Missouri.
• Three years of pediatric experience.
• Maintains professional degree, certification, and licensure requirements to practice as an advanced practice nurse in the state of Missouri.
• Satisfactory completion and documentation of competency-based training in the performance of child abuse medical evaluation, including initial SAFE-CARE training, annual SAFE-CARE updates, and any other training as required by the certifying body to maintain nurse practitioner certification.
• Obtains and maintains SAFE-CARE provider status in Missouri.

Physical Requirements:

• Performs bending, squatting, sorting, kneeling, and reaching to ground level and overhead, as required for tasks such as retrieving files.
• Must be able to perform sensitive and thorough medical examinations.
• Must possess fine and gross motor skills to perform traction, hold small swabs, operate a camera and other equipment, and perform sensitive exams, while avoiding trauma to the child.
• Must be able to hold and grip small objects with manual dexterity as well as lift, grip, carry, push, or pull up to 15 pounds.
• Must be able to climb stairs while carrying objects up to 10 pounds in weight.
• Must possess visual acuity necessary to read and develop CAC materials, review and chart medical records, and examine documents and body parts via colposcopy and photography, as well as operate a computer and read text messages.
• Must be able to hear and speak well enough to communicate in person and by telephone.
• Must be able to sit or stand for extended periods of time, up to 50% of the work day.

Other/Special Requirements:

• Satisfactory criminal background investigation and a CA/N screening as a condition of employment.
• Verbal skills to communicate with youth, caregivers, and partner agencies.
• Ability to work under pressure to meet deadlines.
• Ability to function harmoniously in a busy, multidisciplinary work environment.
• Willingness to accommodate travel across the 14-county service area and to work evenings and weekends on-call as necessary.
• Must acknowledge and adhere to the CAC’s confidentiality policy and procedures, including confidentiality standards, and adhere strictly to the highest professional ethics, discretion, and judgment.

Contribute to a positive, supportive working environment:

• Is deeply committed to the mission and, as a result, is a strong ambassador and champion for the work of the CAC.
• Exhibits a willingness to engage in continuous improvement efforts through training and professional development experiences.
• Acts as a team player, recognizing that the success of the organization rests not on a single individual but on the work of the entire team.
• Identifies not only problems but possible solutions and is proactive in working to improve the work environment and CAC experience for all.
• Demonstrates personal commitment and accountability for their work and does not look to identify coworkers who presented obstacles.
• Actively practices self-care.
• Promotes a trauma-responsive approach throughout The Child Advocacy Center

Time Commitment, Compensation, & Benefits:

Open to part-time with a two-day-per-week commitment up to full-time, which is a four-day workweek.Compensation will be commensurate with experience.Full-Time position includes paid holidays, vacation days, and sick days. Fringe benefits include health insurance, dental and vision coverage, Simple IRA matching, short-term disability, life insurance, and professional development support

The Child Advocacy Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.

Child Advocacy Center (CAC) is an Equal Employment Opportunity

The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed, but are not to be seen as a complete list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel. Also, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of the employer.

About the Child Advocacy Center

Founded in 1995, the Child Advocacy Center provides abused and neglected children in Southern Missouri with a safe place to talk about their experiences and begin their healing journey. The team of professional advocates, forensic interviewers, and medical personnel work in collaboration with multidisciplinary team members to investigate allegations of child maltreatment and ensure safety for children and their non-offending caregivers.At the Child Advocacy Center, we believe that the work we do gives children and families the hope they need to be resilient in the face of trauma and uncertainty. We have hope that our children and families can get better, and that we are a critical part of that journey. We also believe that we can continuously improve the work we do, and we know that we have the talent, passion, and commitment needed to make that happen.