FAMILY NURSE PRACTITIONER

Family Nurse Practitioner

An employee in this classification performs professional health care services in support of the Health Departments provision of health care including medical diagnosis and treatment under the supervision of a physician and serves as a resource and back up to the Sexually Transmitted Disease Program. Work is performed under general supervision and is evaluated on the basis of attainment of individual and departmental performance objectives, feedback from the public served, and observation.

Duties

• Provides health services in all Health Department Programs.
• Performs medical acts as approved by the North Carolina Board of Examiners and include medical diagnoses, treatment, and prescribing medication in the approved formulary.
• Obtains in-depth medical history, performs physical exams, documents findings and recommendations, develops treatment plan and counsels patients; functions under the supervision of the back-up physician.
• Acts as a consultant to nursing, lab, social workers, students and administration; serves as preceptor to other employees, as required.
• Keeps abreast of the changing scope of nursing practices.
• Serves as team member during disease outbreaks.
• Performs follow-up exams are performed in accordance with state guidelines in regard to method prescribed or problems encountered.
• Educates parents on developmental stages and offers anticipatory guidance for their child; reviews immunizations for compliance to North Carolina Immunization law.
• Provides prenatal examination, obtains and interprets appropriate prenatal- postpartum testing, education and management for low risk pregnancies; screen for high risk/complicated pregnancies and refer if indicated.
• Provides treatment for patient identified as having an STD; performs STD screenings in the Communicable Disease clinic as necessary; serves as a resource person to STD Coordinator and other nursing staff.
• Serves as clinical advisor/preceptor to PHNs attending training programs involving physical assessment as requested and needed.
• Participates in orienting staff as requested.
• Attends workshops, seminars, and in-service for continuing education.
• Participates as a member of patient care review committees and audit committees.
• Serves as a resource or consultant for public health nurses performing screening activities within the health department.
• Makes presentations to Board of Health, and other groups about health-related matters as requested.
• Performs various clerical / administrative tasks as required, including preparing reports and correspondence, entering and retrieving computer data, copying and filing documents, answering the telephone and returning telephone calls, attending and conducting meetings, sending and receiving faxes, etc.
• Position will be responsible for other duties as assigned. Duties may also include Preparedness activities/directives as assigned by Supervisor, Nursing Director or Agency Director.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of the methods, procedures and policies of Bladen County Health Department as they pertain to the performance of duties of the Family Nurse Practitioner.
• Thorough knowledge of the laws, ordinances, standards and regulations pertaining to the specific duties and responsibilities of the position.
• Thorough knowledge of the techniques of interviewing, medical and other relevant history taking, principles and practices of general medicines and disease entities as they relate to the area of work
• thorough knowledge and ability to plan a course of care based on the assessment and findings and the knowledge of resource available and the procedures for referral.
• Thorough knowledge of and skill in professional nursing theory and practice; has considerable knowledge of the principles and practices of public health patient care services; has thorough knowledge of the principles and methods of social work; has considerable knowledge of medical terminology, clinic routine and equipment; has considerable knowledge of septic techniques and infection control in clinic / home settings and inpatient treatment and care; has considerable knowledge of occupational hazards and safety precautions pertaining to health care; has considerable knowledge of the methods of medical case recording and report preparation.
• Comprehensive knowledge of the terminology and various professional languages used within the department.
• Considerable knowledge of the functions and interrelationships of County and other governmental agencies.
• Knowledge of recent developments, current literature and sources of information regarding public health services.
• Knowledge of local social / health service resources.
• Knowledge of and skill in using public relations and public education tools and techniques.
• Knowledge of proper English usage, punctuation, spelling and grammar.
• Knowledge of modern office practices and technology, including the use of computers for word and data processing and records management.
• Ability to apply supervisory and managerial concepts and principles; has knowledge of administrative principles involved in developing, directing and supervising various programs and related activities.
• Ability to offer instruction and advice to subordinates regarding departmental policies, methods and regulations.
• Ability to develop, coordinate and implement effective public health programs.
• Ability to assess patient health status; develop and implement appropriate care plans; follow and transmit in exact detail oral and written instructions of a technical and complex nature; prepare concise and accurate reports and charts regarding patient care and treatment; monitor and assess the medications and treatment prescribed for patients; communicate compassionately with patients and family members; maintain confidentiality as appropriate.
• Ability to perform under flexible, frequently stressful working conditions and react calmly and quickly in emergency situations.
• Ability to make public presentations.
• Ability to make sound, educated decisions.
• Ability to offer assistance to co-workers and employees of other departments as required.
• Ability to plan and develop daily, short- and long-term goals related to County purposes.
• Ability to take the initiative to complete the duties of the position without the need of direct supervision.
• Ability to plan, organize and prioritize daily assignments and work activities.
• Ability to learn and utilize new skills and information to improve job performance and efficiency.
• Ability to make required mathematical calculations.
• Ability to read and interpret complex materials pertaining to the responsibilities of the job.
• Ability to assemble and analyze information and make written reports and records in a concise, clear and effective manner.
• Ability to maintain effective relationships with personnel of other departments, professionals and members of the public through contact and cooperation.
• This is light work requiring the exertion of 20 pounds of force occasionally, up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. Work requires reaching, standing, walking, lifting, fingering, grasping, and repetitive motions. Vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. Hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels. Employee must have the visual acuity to operate / use nursing and medical equipment and instruments, distinguish colors and see peripherally in both eyes, inspect small defects or parts, operate or inspect equipment, use measurement devices, and to determine the accuracy of work assigned. Work may include extended periods of time viewing a computer monitor and/or operating a keyboard.

Education and Experience Requirements

Working Conditions Work is performed primarily in an office area with a controlled environment Minimum Education and Experience Graduation from an accredited School of Nursing; graduation from a Nurse Practitioner Program approved by the North Carolina Joint Subcommittee of the Board of Nursing and Board of Medical Examiners, and "Approved to Practice Medical Acts" based on education and experience by the Joint Subcommittee and one year of experience as a practitioner. Special Requirements

• Valid North Carolina Driver's License
• Currently licensed as a Registered Nurse by the North Carolina Board of Nursing; and approval to practice medical acts by the Joint Subcommittee of the North Carolina Board of Medical Examiners and North Carolina Board of Nursing American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification and the American Nurses Credentialing Center.

Disclaimer This classification specification has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees to perform the job. Bladen County reserves the right to assign or otherwise modify the duties assigned to this classification.

Bladen County is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer