Physician Assistant/Nurse Practitioner

Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant

The primary responsibility of the Nurse Practitioner (NP) or Physician Assistant (PA) is to deliver primary health care to low-income and homeless patients who are eligible for services offered by the Department of Housing and Human Services (DHHS). Duties include delivery of primary health care in an outpatient, ambulatory care setting; patient health education; preventative health care and screening; history taking; medical documentation and charting; making referrals; staff in-service education; and assisting in the day-to-day operation of the health care clinic. For Nurse Practitioners/Physician Assistants working at the School Based Health Center, a pediatric specialty is preferred.

Essential duties and responsibilities include:

• Provides direct patient/client services such as primary care, health assessment, health education, preventative health care, intake and medical history, first aid, and medical screening.
• Implements specific health screening programs as required or assigned.
• Provides referrals to medical, mental health, and addiction treatment programs and services as required.
• Provides off-site medical services to homeless persons unwilling or unable to access health care.
• Develops and implements health education sessions targeted toward health problems associated with homelessness and poverty.
• Develops and maintains a referral network within the Frederick medical community.
• Assists in the clinical experience of nursing and medical students on rotation at the Department of Housing and Human Services.
• Provides medical on-call services as required.
• Physician Assistants maintain delegation agreement with collaborating physician and meets with physician for clinical supervision as specified in the agreement.
• Provides outreach services to homeless and/or low-income persons in order to engage them in Department of Housing and Human Services programs; conducts home visits, street and shelter outreach as needed or assigned.
• Participates in outreach efforts to soup kitchens, shelters, streets, and other locations; facilitates communications between DHHS staff and agencies where outreach occurs.
• Responsible for completing all CME requirements.
• Maintains all paper and electronic records and documents as needed.
• Responds to environmental accidents and assists in the general maintenance and cleaning of the Health Center.
• Assists with other casework, client service, and clinical duties as required or assigned.
• Performs staff in-service education as needed or assigned.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Master's degree in nursing or PA studies from an accredited academic program.

Required certificates and/or licenses:

• Vehicle Operator's license with satisfactory driving record that meets insurability standards of the City's insurance carrier is required. The employee must maintain the license for the duration of their employment.
• Active Maryland PA license from Maryland Board of Physicians and current certification by the NCCPA or Active Maryland Nurse Practitioner license and certification in specialization. The employee must maintain the license for the duration of their employment.
• Active CDS registration and DEA license or meets the preliminary requirements to obtain each.

Required skills:

• Good clinical skills in areas of patient assessment, history taking, health education, and treatment.
• Ability to read and interpret documents using the English Language.
• Strong interpersonal communication skills and an ability to provide services to persons who are low-income and/or homeless.
• Good written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to use basic computer programs such as Microsoft Suite.
• Proficient in utilizing Electronic Health Records (EMRs)

Other desirables:

• Ability to communicate using the Spanish Language.
• Ability to communicate using American Sign Language.
• Background in psychiatric and/or addiction recovery services.
• Ability to safely drive cargo and passenger vans and vehicles with manual transmissions.

Schedule:

• This is a full-time position (40 hours/week), Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM. There are no evening, weekend, or on-call requirements.
• Standard schedule: 5 days x 8 hours
• Condensed schedule option: 4 days x 10 hours — available to support work-life balance

Compensation & Benefits:

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience
• City of Frederick employee benefits package (health, dental, vision, retirement)
• NHSC Loan Repayment Program: This position is based at an NHSC-approved site, making it eligible for the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program. Qualified applicants may receive significant tax-advantaged loan repayment in exchange for a service commitment — a substantial benefit for clinicians carrying federal student loan debt. Visit nhsc.hrsa.gov for current award details.
• Continuing medical education (CME) support

About Frederick, Maryland:

Frederick is consistently recognized as one of the most livable mid-sized cities on the East Coast. Nestled between Washington, DC and Baltimore, it offers the best of both worlds: a walkable, historic downtown with a vibrant arts and dining scene, top-rated public schools, abundant outdoor recreation, and housing costs well below the surrounding metro areas. For individuals and families seeking community, affordability, and quality of life, Frederick is an exceptional place to call home.

Physical demands:

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is frequently required to remain in a stationary position and/or to move about for long periods of time, and position self to reach items above or below their reach. The employee must occasionally ascend and descend levels and/or ladders. The employee is occasionally required to lift and/or move up to 20 lbs. Specific vision abilities required by this job include the ability to observe and inspect items directly in front or to either side of self, to assess items at a distance, to distinguish colors, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. The employee is subject to the use of Standard Precautions for all patients, Universal Precautions for patients with known bloodborne pathogens as required by the Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure Control Plan, and to annual Tuberculosis (TB) Testing as required by the Tuberculosis Prevention Plan.

Work environment/condition:

The employee is exposed periodically to outside weather conditions, but most work is performed in a typical office setting. The employee regularly encounters clients who are intoxicated, under the influence of unknown substances, may be affected by communicable diseases, and/or appear affected by serious mental health problems. Open-toed shoes and sandals are prohibited in the work setting. Personal protective equipment may be required.