Women's Health Nurse Practitioner

Women's Health Nurse Practitioner

The Women's Health Nurse Practitioner provides comprehensive, evidence-based outpatient care to women across the lifespan. The WHNP assesses, diagnoses, treats, and manages acute and chronic gynecologic conditions; provides preventive and reproductive healthcare services; performs routine examinations and procedures; and collaborates with physicians and interdisciplinary team members to optimize patient outcomes. The practitioner functions in accordance with Maryland state laws, organizational policies, and national standards of practice.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive health assessments, including medical, surgical, reproductive, and psychosocial histories.
• Perform routine and problem-focused gynecologic examinations.
• Diagnose and manage common acute and chronic women's health conditions.
• Provide preventive health services, including annual wellness exams, cancer screenings, and health promotion counseling.
• Prescribe medications, treatments, diagnostic tests, and therapeutic interventions consistent with Maryland law and organizational policies.
• Manage contraception counseling and family planning services.
• Evaluate and treat sexually transmitted infections and other reproductive health concerns.
• Order, interpret, and communicate laboratory and diagnostic test results.
• Perform office-based procedures within scope of practice and demonstrated competency.
• Educate patients regarding disease prevention, treatment plans, medications, and healthy lifestyle choices.
• Maintain accurate, timely, and compliant medical documentation in the electronic health record.
• Coordinate care with physicians, specialists, nurses, and ancillary staff.
• Participate in quality improvement, patient safety, and regulatory compliance activities.

Work Experience

• Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) from an accredited nursing program.
• Graduate of an accredited Women's Health Nurse Practitioner program or Nurse Practitioner program with applicable women's health training.

Required Licensure and Certification

• Current, unrestricted Maryland Registered Nurse (RN) license.
• Current Maryland Nurse Practitioner certification and recognition as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) in accordance with Maryland regulations.
• National certification as a Women's Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP-BC) through the National Certification Corporation (NCC), or other applicable national certification.
• Current DEA registration and Maryland Controlled Dangerous Substances (CDS) registration, if prescribing controlled substances.
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.

Required Experience

• Minimum of 12 years of clinical experience in women's health, gynecology, obstetrics, family planning, or related specialty preferred.
• Experience in outpatient or ambulatory care settings preferred.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Clinical Skills

• Comprehensive gynecologic assessment and management.
• Preventive health screening and risk assessment.
• Contraceptive management and counseling.
• Reproductive and sexual health management.
• Interpretation of laboratory and diagnostic testing.
• Office procedure competency consistent with training and credentialing.

Professional Skills

• Strong clinical judgment and diagnostic reasoning.
• Excellent communication and patient education abilities.
• Ability to develop collaborative relationships with physicians and interdisciplinary teams.
• Effective time management and organizational skills.
• Commitment to patient-centered, culturally competent care.
• Proficiency with electronic health records and clinical documentation systems.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and comply with HIPAA requirements.

University of Maryland Medical Center