Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Acute Care | 12-Hour Shifts

Pediatric Nurse Practitioner

Nexus Children's Hospital Shenandoah is seeking an experienced and compassionate Pediatric Nurse Practitioner to provide advanced medical care to children and adolescents with complex medical, neurological, rehabilitative, and behavioral health needs.

Our 50-bed specialty hospital includes a 16-bed ICU/Medical-Surgical program and a 34-bed Medical-Behavioral program. The Pediatric Nurse Practitioner works closely with physicians, nursing staff, therapists, and other members of the interdisciplinary treatment team to assess medical needs, manage acute and chronic conditions, and promote continuity of care throughout each patient's hospitalization.

Position Summary

The Pediatric Nurse Practitioner performs advanced clinical duties related to assessing, diagnosing, treating, managing, and preventing illness and disease. Under the direction of the Medical Director and in collaboration with the treatment team, the NP provides general medical care and treatment to assigned patients.

This position participates in patient observation, assessment, diagnosis, intervention, evaluation, rehabilitation, counseling, and health education. The ideal candidate is comfortable caring for medically complex pediatric patients and collaborating across medical, rehabilitative, and behavioral health disciplines.

Key Responsibilities

• Obtain comprehensive medical histories and perform complete physical and neurological examinations.
• Assess, diagnose, and treat acute and chronic medical conditions within the NP's authorized scope of practice.
• Provide direct medical care to pediatric and adolescent patients with complex healthcare needs.
• Order appropriate laboratory studies and diagnostic procedures, interpret results, and initiate appropriate interventions.
• Prescribe and administer medications and other treatments in accordance with Texas law, prescriptive authority agreements, and hospital policies.
• Perform emergency and life-saving procedures when necessary.
• Promptly notify the attending, on-call, or supervising physician of unusual events, significant changes in condition, or concerns requiring physician consultation.
• Develop individualized healthcare plans and submit patient goals for periodic physician review and evaluation.
• Document patient status, assessments, treatment plans, procedures, and progress accurately and promptly in the medical record.
• Monitor patient progress and ensure continuity of care between physician visits.
• Collaborate with physicians, nursing staff, therapists, behavioral health professionals, and community providers to manage patients' acute and long-term medical needs.
• Participate in admission reviews and weekly interdisciplinary treatment team meetings.
• Discuss complex cases with physicians and other healthcare professionals.
• Recommend and coordinate referrals to appropriate hospital and community resources based on patient and family needs.
• Provide patient and family education regarding diagnoses, medications, treatment plans, and ongoing care needs.
• Serve as a clinical resource and provide education to hospital staff.
• Participate in rotating medical call coverage.
• Follow all applicable standards for patient safety, infection prevention, environmental safety, privacy, and regulatory compliance.
• Maintain professional knowledge through continuing education, clinical literature, workshops, and in-service programs.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Education

• Master's degree in Nursing as a Nurse Practitioner; or
• Master's degree in Nursing with completion of a post-master's Nurse Practitioner certification program.

Required Licensure and Certification

• Current, unrestricted Texas Registered Nurse license.
• Current, unrestricted Texas Advanced Practice Registered Nurse licensure as a Nurse Practitioner.
• Current national board certification as a Nurse Practitioner.
• Current BLS certification maintained in good standing throughout employment.
• Must complete facility-required training in behavioral management, crisis prevention, and de-escalation techniques.
• SAMA, ABA, PIP, or comparable behavior-management certification is preferred or must be obtained as required by the facility.

Experience

• Three to five years of Nurse Practitioner experience is preferred.
• Pediatric, inpatient, acute care, rehabilitation, neurological, or medical-behavioral experience is strongly preferred.
• Experience caring for patients with complex medical, neurobehavioral, or developmental needs is highly desirable.
• Previous experience participating in interdisciplinary treatment planning is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong pediatric assessment, diagnostic, and clinical decision-making skills.
• Ability to recognize and respond appropriately to changes in patient condition.
• Knowledge of pediatric acute and chronic disease management.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with physicians and interdisciplinary clinical teams.
• Strong communication, documentation, organization, and family-education skills.
• Ability to provide calm, compassionate care in a complex medical and behavioral healthcare environment.
• Ability to participate in rotating medical call coverage.

Why Join Nexus?

At Nexus Children's Hospital Shenandoah, you will work alongside a multidisciplinary team dedicated to helping children and adolescents with complex needs achieve greater medical stability, functional independence, and quality of life. This role offers the opportunity to practice in a collaborative specialty-hospital environment where medical, rehabilitative, and behavioral healthcare come together.