Advanced Practice Nurse

Department: Human Services/Public Health

Location: Northfield

Hours: 40 Hours/week

Union/Mgmt: Mgmt

NJCSC Test Required: No

Grant Funded: No

Definition

Previous public heath experience preferred. Experience in infectious disease, sexually transmitted infections, women's health, and well child assessments preferred.

Under direction, provides primary health care to patients by assessing their physical, developmental, and psycho-social status by means of obtaining their health history and conducting physical examinations and diagnostic tests; interprets test results data, develops and implements plans of health care management and follow through on the continuum of care of patients; implements health care plans through independent action, appropriate referrals, health counseling, guidance, and instruction of patients and collaboration with a physician and other members of the health care team; does other related duties as required.

Requirements

Appointees must maintain a collaborative agreement with a physician as required by the Board of Nursing on joint practice.

Appointees must maintain professional competency and continuing education.

License

Current and valid certification as an Advanced Nurse Practitioner, issued by the New Jersey Board of Nursing, in an advanced practice category relevant to the position as determined by the appointing authority (e.g., adult health, community health, family health, gerontology, obstetrics/gynecology, pediatrics, or psychiatric/mental health.)

Examples of Work:

• Manages specific common deviations from wellness, including stabilized long-term illnesses.
• Assesses the physical, developmental, and psycho-social health status of individuals in a variety of settings through collection of health data.
• Interviews and counsels patients and/or parents and families to compile a complete medical history, and counsels patients and/or parents and families on any problems which may arise during interview.
• Performs complete physical examinations which includes but is not limited to observation, taking blood pressure, weight, height, and blood samples, palpation, percussion, and auscultation, utilizing the appropriate tools and instruments.
• Performs inspection of the patients’ eyes including the testing of the eyes by eye chart, illiterate eye chart, and Titmus machine.
• Performs inspection of the cervix through internal examinations including obtaining cytological specimens for study to determine development of disease.
• Performs inspection of the rectum and colon including obtaining cytological and/or stool samples for study to determine abnormalities and/or disease.
• Performs inspection of the genital organs and abdomen to determine the presence of hydrocele, inguinal hernias as well as other hernias, undescended testicles, hypospadias, and malformation of the prepuce.
• Performs examination of the ear to detect ear infections or other disease and abnormalities.
• Performs hearing screens for deafness or hearing impairment including tone tests and V.A.S.C. audiometers and tuning forks.

Performs throat and nose examinations for the identification of infections, growths, irregular tonsils, and adenoids including the gathering of throat cultures for identification of disease.

Performs examination of the chest, including auscultation of the heart for detection of heart murmur and other irregularities as well as examination by auscultation of the lungs and bronchial tubes to determine asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia, and other pulmonary diseases.

Makes accurate identification of problems/diagnosis based upon correct interpretation of findings.

Works under a collaborative agreement with a Clinical Psychiatrist if certified in psychiatric mental health; or under a collaborative agreement with Internal Medicine if certified in adult care.

Completes diagnostic and psychological testing to confirm physical and psychiatric diagnoses including follow-up results.

If properly licensed, may prescribe medications, adjust dosages, and monitor the patient’s response to medications.

Prepares and administers medication and/or treatment as needed.

May write orders for restraint and seclusion, in hospitals where these orders can be prescribed. The APN must see the patient in person within 45 minutes or as soon as physically possible.

Communicates with Nursing and Quality Management for high profile cases.

May be required to engage in lifting clients when working in a setting which provides direct services to clients who are non-ambulant, or who are semi-ambulant and/or have severe physical handicaps.

May implement advance directives for the mentally ill, and/or establish, implement, and update the Practitioner Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment (POLST), as appropriate and as needed.

Provides first aid, basic life support, and medication dispensing assistance training to non-medical personnel.

May provide oversight to other medical personnel.

Will coordinate with other medical providers to ensure continuity of care.

Ensures prescribed medications are available and renewals are refilled in a timely manner.

Ensures medical records of client charts are up-to-date and in compliance with all relevant standards.

Evaluates patient need for immediate nursing intervention, consultation, and other health team referrals.

Monitors all aspects of the therapeutic regimen.

Records patients responses and progress.

Advises patient/or parent/guardian and family regarding nursing needs, and/or mental health needs and therapeutic measures.

Advises patient and/or parent/guardian and family on other therapeutic measures.

Counsel patients and/or parent/guardian and family as to findings; refers patient to licensed physician for necessary follow-up and treatment.

Performs, orders, and interprets routine laboratory tests including collecting specimens to be used in laboratory analyses.

Develops a health maintenance plan for patient including health education, disease prevention, and general anticipatory guidance.

Provides periodic health supervision of well-baby primary preventive health care and examinations.

Provides clinical management within medical protocols of children with uncomplicated childhood diseases.

Provides care of infants including regulation of nutrition, cleanliness, and environmental surroundings through the education of parents and families.

Provides health education and counseling to children, parents, and families including the psycho-social dimensions in the area of nutrition, psycho-motor development, and family life and the cultural and social implications.

Performs routine examination of the skeletal system for abnormalities or diseases of the bone.

Will be required to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and computerized information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

Knowledge and Abilities:

Knowledge of the normal pediatric care of infants and children from post-natal care to adulthood.

Knowledge of normal physical and psycho-sexual development among children and adults.

Knowledge of appropriate management and interpretation of diagnostic studies and tests.

Ability to conduct physical examinations which include eye, ear, nose, throat, thorax, abdomen, pelvic, rectal, colon, and orthopedic and general physical development.

Ability to observe and report symptoms and conditions of patients.

Ability to write complete and legible orders that include current allergies, date, time, drug, dose, frequency, route, indication, and duration.

Ability to administer medications.

Ability to analyze and interpret test and examination results and to communicate those results effectively with agency clients.

Ability to prepare clear, informative, and accurate medical and other reports.

Ability to establish and maintain suitable records and files.

Ability to secure and interpret a general health history from patient, parents, or families.

Ability to recognize common medical problems or deviations from normality.

Ability to make an assessment of psychological, social, and cultural aspects and behavioral aspects of parenting.

Ability to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate patient care collectively with other health care professionals.

Ability to interpret data obtained through a systematic assessment of all body systems in order to differentiate normal from abnormal states.

Ability to obtain clinical, laboratory, and diagnostic information, and interpret the resultant data.

Ability to institute appropriate biophysical monitoring techniques and interpret the resultant data.

Ability to utilize historical, clinical, and biophysical data in collaboration with physicians to formulate a diagnosis.

Ability to initiate appropriate diagnostic, therapeutic, and educational interventions including consultations and referrals.

Ability to evaluate and document responses to interventions and modify the plan of care as indicated.

Ability to interpret current research findings to determine appropriateness for application to practice and standards of care.

Ability to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.

Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible if they can perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.

Atlantic County employees are members of a highly trained and experienced workforce where dedication, resourcefulness and creativity are valued and the work is stimulating.

• Pension through New Jersey Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)
• Deferred Compensation (457) Plans
• 14 Paid Holidays Off, along with Paid Sick and Vacation Leave
• Longevity Stipends
• Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance
• Basic Life Insurance through pension plan
• Wellness Programs and Employee Assistance Program
• Educational Leave and Reimbursement Program
• - We are an Equal Opportunity Employer -