Post-Acute Nurse Practitioner

Job Description

Job Description

Post-Acute Nurse Practitioner

The Post-Acute Nurse Practitioner (NP) serves as a front-line clinician within a multi-specialty circuit care model delivering on-site services to residents of long-term care (LTC) and skilled nursing facilities (SNFs). This role is uniquely structured to provide comprehensive specialty-adjacent screening and assessment across four disciplines: Optometry, Audiology, Dental, and Podiatry. Not all states have all services at this time. The NP operates as an embedded clinician within a circuit-based care delivery structure and functions under the collaboration and supervision of a licensed Podiatrist, consistent with applicable state practice requirements.

This position requires a clinician who is adaptable, self-directed, and skilled at delivering high-quality patient care across specialty domains in a facility-based environment. The NP does not independently practice as a specialist in any of the four disciplines but performs assessments, screenings, care coordination, and clinical documentation that enable appropriate specialist review and follow-through.

• Conduct scheduled on-site visits to assigned LTC and SNF facilities in accordance with circuit rotation schedule

• Perform initial and follow-up patient assessments across four specialty domains: Optometry, Audiology, Dental, and Podiatry

• Identify and document clinical findings that require specialist escalation, intervention, or follow-up orders

• Coordinate with facility nursing staff and care teams prior to and following each patient encounter

• Manage patient caseloads efficiently within each facility visit window while maintaining documentation accuracy and clinical integrity

• Administer standardized vision screening protocols including visual acuity, peripheral vision, and contrast sensitivity assessments

• Identify signs of common ocular conditions such as cataracts, macular degeneration, glaucoma risk indicators, and diabetic retinopathy

• Document findings and facilitate referrals to supervising or affiliated optometrists for diagnostic confirmation and treatment

• Review existing ocular history and coordinate with facility care teams regarding fall risk, low vision accommodations, and corrective lens status

• Conduct audiometric screenings and otoscopic examinations to assess hearing acuity and ear canal health

• Identify indicators of conductive or sensorineural hearing loss, cerumen impaction, and external ear pathology

• Document audiological findings and facilitate referrals for comprehensive audiological evaluation where warranted

• Collaborate with facility staff regarding hearing aid management, communication accommodations, and audiological follow-up compliance

• Identify signs of periodontal disease, oral lesions, dental decay, ill-fitting prosthetics, and oral infection

• Document oral health findings and coordinate dental referrals for treatment and follow-up

• Support facility teams in oral hygiene care planning and patient-specific dental risk documentation

• Perform oral health screenings including examination of dentition, gingival tissue, oral mucosa, and prosthetics (dentures/partials)

• Perform lower extremity assessments including evaluation of skin integrity, nail pathology, vascular status, and neuropathic indicators

• Conduct diabetic foot screenings in accordance with evidence-based protocols and wound staging documentation

• Identify and document conditions including onychomycosis, calluses, ulcerations, Charcot foot risk, and peripheral vascular disease indicators

• Operate under direct collaboration with the supervising licensed Podiatrist, escalating clinical findings and co-managing complex cases as directed

• Support the supervising Podiatrist with patient documentation, care plan notes, and follow-up scheduling for podiatric interventions

• Complete accurate, timely clinical documentation in compliance with applicable state and federal regulations and facility-specific requirements

• Maintain HIPAA-compliant records and adhere to facility-specific electronic health record (EHR) protocols

• Participate in quality assurance, audit, and reporting processes as required by the clinical operations leadership

• Ensure all collaborative practice requirements and supervision protocols are documented and maintained in accordance with state NP practice laws

This position operates under the clinical oversight and collaborative practice agreement of a licensed Podiatrist. The Podiatrist serves as the primary supervising provider for purposes of state NP practice compliance and assumes collaborative responsibility for clinical decisions within the scope of podiatric care. The NP is expected to:

• documentation as required by the state(s) of practice

• Engage in regular case review and clinical consultation with the supervising Podiatrist

• Escalate clinical findings that exceed independent NP scope or require specialist-level intervention

• Adhere to all practice protocols, clinical standards, and operational policies established by the supervising Podiatrist and organizational leadership

• Maintain an active and current Collaborative Practice Agreement (CPA) or equivalent supervisory when applicable

• Active, unrestricted Nurse Practitioner licensure in the applicable state(s) of practice

• Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) from an accredited program

• Current national NP certification (ANCC or AANP)

• Minimum of 2 years of clinical NP experience; experience in geriatrics, LTC, or SNF settings strongly preferred

• Current BLS/CPR certification

• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation for circuit-based travel

• Proficiency with electronic health record platforms and clinical documentation tools

• Experience in one or more of the specialty domains: podiatric care, oral health, audiology, or ophthalmology/optometry

• Familiarity with MDS, UB-04 billing, and LTC regulatory frameworks (OBRA, CMS Conditions of Participation)

• Experience working under a collaborative practice agreement with a physician or podiatrist

• Bilingual or multilingual clinical communication skills

• Clinical adaptability across multi-specialty assessment domains

• Strong autonomous judgment balanced with appropriate escalation and consultation

• Organized, efficient time management within high-volume circuit-based visit structures

• Clear, professional communication with patients, facility staff, and supervising providers

• Commitment to geriatric patient dignity, cultural sensitivity, and person-centered care

• Accountability for documentation accuracy and regulatory compliance

This role requires the ability to travel between facilities, stand and move throughout patient care environments for extended periods, and perform hands-on clinical assessments. The NP must be able to transport clinical equipment as needed and work within the physical constraints of skilled nursing and long-term care environments.

This organization is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.