PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assesses patient of any age presenting for health care and obtains a personal medical history, appropriate physical examination with recording of the resulting information.
• Prescribes appropriate pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatment modalities.
• Orders and interprets diagnostic and therapeutic tests relative to patients age-specific needs.
• Addresses and responds to patient and staff requests for information in a timely manner, prioritizing patient requests and urgent needs.
• Plans for patient care by making comprehensive clinical decisions based on advanced diagnostic skills and professional judgment, reviewing results of diagnostic tests and procedures, developing and implementing a treatment plan for the patient and/or family, and providing a wide range of interventions required to effect change.
• Problem solving skills demonstrated by making competent advanced clinical decisions, utilizing appropriate resources, consulting with physician, as appropriate, and involving management where necessary.
• Maintains effective methods of formal and informal communication with staff so that dissemination of information/administrative decisions are conveyed in a positive and supportive manner; motivates and supports staff to achieve department/contractual goals and operational benchmarks.
• Monitors the effectiveness of interventions.
• Facilitates the patients transition within and between health care settings, e.g. admitting, transferring, and discharging patients.
• Collaborates with multidisciplinary team members by making appropriate referrals. Facilitates referral of patients to other appropriate community healthcare facilities, agencies and resources.
• Facilitates staff, patient and family decision making by providing educational tools.
• Recognizes and utilizes opportunities to act as a change agent by introducing nursing practice innovations.
• Evaluates nursing practices associated with specialty area, defines needs/problems with patient care and makes constructive suggestions that creates a positive patient outcome.
• Promotes positive health behaviors and self-care skills through education and/or counseling.
• Works in a constant state of alertness and safe manner.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION

• Completion of a formal post-basic education program from or formally affiliated with an accredited college, university or hospital (Before July 1, 1998) or a graduate degree from an accredited college or university (After July 1, 1998) with a concentration in the appropriate advanced practice nursing clinical specialty area.
• Board certification by a national recognized certifying board in the appropriate population focus
• Current or compact RN license in appropriate state
• Appropriate APRN license or document of recognition in appropriate state

EXPERIENCE

• One year nursing experience