ADVANCED PRACTICE PROVIDER

Advanced Practice ProviderThe Advanced Practice Provider diagnoses and treats acute, episodic, or chronic illness, independently or as part of a healthcare team. In addition, this position focuses on health promotion and disease prevention; order, perform, or interpret diagnostic tests such as laboratory work and x-rays; and prescribe medication.Primary duties and responsibilities include:Performing routine medical examinations on inmates or detainees under established guidelines.Diagnosing and treating acute and chronic medical illnesses.Providing medical treatment and services, consistent with the provision of basic health care services, in conjunction with a physician.Formulating comprehensive treatment plans and prognosis based on the patient's health conditions.Prescribing medication dosages, routes, and frequencies based on patients' diagnosis permitted under State and DEA licensure.Ordering, performing, or interpreting the results of diagnostic tests such as complete blood counts (CBCs), electrocardiograms (EKGs), and radiographs (x-rays) with physician oversight as needed.Analyzing and interpreting a patient's history, symptoms, physical findings, and diagnostic information to develop appropriate clinical assessment and treatment plan.Developing treatment plans based on scientific rationale, standards of care, and clinical practice guidelines.Documenting all health care services provided and including comprehensive records of health care plans and prognosis in the patient's medical record.Counseling patients on prescribed drug regimens and possible side effects or interactions with other drugs or substances.Recommending interventions to modify behavior associated with health risks.Educating patients about self-management of acute or chronic illnesses, tailoring instructions to patients' individual circumstances.Providing patients with information needed to promote good health, reduce risk factors, and prevent disease or disability.Consulting with or referring patients to appropriate specialists when conditions exceed the scope of practice or expertise.Reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional organizations or conferences to keep abreast of developments in nursing.Recommending diagnostic or therapeutic interventions with attention to clinical indication, safety and patient acceptability and compliance, to treatment plan.Scheduling follow-up visits to monitor patients or evaluate health or illness care.Maintaining current knowledge of state legal regulations for nurse practitioner/physician assistant practice and licensure requirements.Performing primary care procedures such as suturing, splinting, administering immunizations, taking specimen cultures, and appropriate wound care and debridement as necessary.Maintaining departmental policies and procedures in areas such as safety and infection control.Being available for 24-hour coverage based on the need of the facility and as assigned, to advise nursing staff in the care of detainees/inmates/residents after hours.Performing other duties as assigned.Minimum requirements include:Graduate from an accredited school of nursing or physician assistant studies required.Current, unrestricted license to practice as a Registered Nurse and Nurse Practitioner, or as a Physician Assistant in the state the facility is located, as well as a current DEA license. Must maintain current copy of applicable licenses at the facility.Two (2) years of advanced practice experience preferred.Knowledge of human anatomy and physiology.Skill in performing uncomplicated surgical procedures.Ability to administer prescribed medications and perform complete physical appraisals of patients.Ability to identify and evaluate illnesses and initiate diagnostic laboratory tests and evaluate the results.Ability to manage the care of patients and work with patients having a variety of physical problems.Ability to compile and evaluate medical histories and other clinical and laboratory data.Ability to plan, organize and coordinate work assignments.Ability to communicate effectively and establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.Ability to work with computers and the necessary software typically used by the department.