Nurse Practitioner for Pediatric Urology with Level II Pediatric Trauma Center in Reno/Tahoe

In collaboration with the physician, the nurse practitioner (NP) assumes clinical responsibility for tasks performed within the nurse practitioner's scope of practice. This includes obtaining and/or reviewing a comprehensive medical history, performing physical examinations as necessary, ordering diagnostic tests, prescribing both pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions, educating patients and their family members, establishing diagnoses, and providing care and management for common illnesses and disease prevention in the pediatric patient.

The NP will work in various areas of the hospital and outpatient clinics to include medical/surgical floors, pediatric intensive care unit, neonatal intensive care unit, procedural areas, operating room, and the emergency room (ER). The NP may assist in the admission, transfer, or discharge from the health care system and evaluate patients in the outpatient clinic setting. The NP is also responsible for making appropriate referrals to specialists and community agencies, participating in quality assurance and quality improvement programs, and working within the multidisciplinary team to develop a plan of care for the patient and their family. Nurse Practitioner Pediatric Urology demonstrates a high level of independence and clinical expertise in the management of conditions related to the bladder, kidney, prostate, genitalia, and reproductive organs using advanced clinical skills, diagnostic reasoning, and therapeutic interventions while integrating education, research, management, leadership, and collaboration with other health professionals into their clinical roles to maximize a patient's health.

The NP will work in close collaboration with supervising Pediatric Urology Medical Staff member to perform and assist with evaluations, consultation reports, progress notes, uroflow/EMG studies, urodynamic studies, biofeedback therapy, and procedural reports. NP may assist with procedures in line with credentialing and the scope of practice noted by Medical Staff for the NP.

Nurse practitioners are primary health care providers who practice in ambulatory, acute, emergency room, critical care, and long-term care settings. According to their practice specialty, these primary care providers provide nursing and medical services to individuals, families, and groups. In addition to diagnosing and managing acute episodic and chronic illnesses, nurse practitioners emphasize health promotion and disease prevention. Teaching and counseling individuals, families, and groups are a major part of nurse practitioner's role.

The incumbent must provide optimal patient care through assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of pediatric patients and families, as applicable. Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care, based upon physical, motor/sensory, psychosocial, and safety appropriate to the age of the patient served. A Nurse practitioner performs the following acts in addition to the ordinary functions of a registered nurse if he/she is properly prepared and the acts are currently within the standard of medical practice for his specialty and appear in their protocols:

1. Systematically assess and triage the health status of persons and families by:

a. Obtaining, recording, and interpreting medical histories.

b. Performing physical examinations as deemed necessary based upon the clinical scenario.

c. Reviews/orders/interprets diagnostic tests and radiographic results, and appropriately acts upon the results of those tests.

d. Performing or initiating selected diagnostic procedures.

2. Based on the information obtained in the assessment of a person's health, the nurse practitioner will manage the care of common, acute, recurrent, or long-term health problems. Management may include:

a. Initiating a program of treatment for the patient, in conjunction with the supervising physician or independent of physician supervision in select situations.

b. Prescribing medications consistent with Nevada prescribing laws and DEA privileges.

c. Evaluating responses to health problems and programs of treatment.

d. Informing a person or family of the status of the patient's health and alternatives for care.

e. Evaluating compliance with a program of treatment agreed upon by the person or family and the nurse practitioner.

f. Modifying programs of treatment based on the response of the person or family to treatment.

g. Referring patients to appropriate providers of health care.

h. Treating minor lacerations, which do not involve damage to a nerve, tendon, or major blood vessel, as applicable.

i. Performing procedures as noted in scope of practice upon credentialing from Medical Staff.

j. Commencing care as required stabilizing a patient's condition in an emergency until a physician can be consulted.

3. Any other act if:

a. The nurse practitioner is certified to perform that act by an organization recognized by the Nevada Board of Nursing.

b. The performance of the act was taught in a program of education attended by the nurse practitioner.

c. The performance of the act was taught in a comprehensive program of instruction successfully completed by the nurse practitioner, which includes clinical experience.

d. The act is within the scope of practice of a nurse practitioner.

e. The nurse practitioner is trained to perform the act by an appropriately trained physician or nurse practitioner.

f. The act has been described as performed by a nurse practitioner in two or more national nursing publications, national nursing guidelines, or national standards for nursing practice.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

1. Adopts a philosophy consistent with the Renown Health Purpose Statement and models "Standards of Conduct" concepts.

2. Effective communication skills - written and verbal.

3. Ability to establish positive working relations with Provider Staff.

4. Work efficiently and cooperatively in a multi-physician/provider office setting.

5. Work as part of a team toward clinic goals.

6. Maintains accurate, legible, and confidential records.

7. Actively participate in quality assurance, peer review programs, and health care outcome evaluations.

8. Direct nursing and/or medical assistant duties consistent with clinic protocols.

9. Ensures the highest quality of care requiring a code of ethical practice, evidence of continuing professional development, and maintenance of clinical skills.

10. Patient advocate through ethical and legal standards.

11. Combines the roles of provider, mentor, educator, researcher, manager, and consultant, as applicable

12. Interprets the role of the nurse practitioner to individuals, families, and other professionals.

13. Works efficiently, cooperatively, and autonomously in long-term and acute care facilities, as applicable

14. The Nurse Practitioner shall always comply with the provisions of NRS 632 and Regulations of the Nevada State Board of Nursing.

15. The Collaborating physician is responsible for the action of the Nurse Practitioner at all times.

16. Will attain sufficient knowledge in the specialty and assure appropriate on-going education, such as knowledge of all core APHON educational programs, as applicable.

17. Attend and participate in departmental and Renown Health meetings consistently.

Bibliography:

1. Code of Ethics for Nurses With Interpretive Statements, American Nurses Association Publication

2. Nurse Practitioner Primary Care Competencies in Specialty Areas: Adult, Family, Gerontological, Pediatric, and Women's Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, April 2002.

3. Magnet Recognition Progress, Recognizing Excellence in Nursing Service - Healthcare Organization Instruction and Application Process Manual, American Nurses Association Credentialing Center; Washington, DC, 2002, pp. 134, 135, 127.

4. Nurse Practice Act, Nevada Revised Statutes, Chapter 632, NAC, Chapter 632. Nevada State Board of Nursing, September 2002. Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice, American Nurses Association Publication

This position does provide patient care.

The foregoing description is not intended and should not be construed to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills and efforts or work conditions associated with the job. It is intended to be an accurate reflection of the general nature and level of the job.

Name

Description

Education:

Must have working-level knowledge of the English language, including reading, writing, and speaking English. Master's prepared registered nurse (RN).

Experience:

Two years minimum experience as an RN required. Six months clinical experience preferred as a Nurse Practitioner, preferably in Urology.

License(s):

Ability to obtain and maintain a valid Advanced Practice Registered Nurse license with the State of Nevada, Controlled substance License to Prescribe issued by the State of Nevada, and Controlled Substance Registration Certificate issued by the DEA, required.

Certification(s):

Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP), or Emergency Nurse Practitioner (ENP) Certification issued by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB) required at time of hire.

Basic Life Support (BLS) or Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) required. Prefer American Heart Association (AHA) approved certification but will accept online certification from American Red Cross Training Services, Advanced Medical Certification, or ACLS Certification Institute.

Computer / Typing:

Must possess, or be able to obtain within 90 days, the computers skills necessary to complete online learning requirements for job-specific competencies, access online forms and policies, complete online benefits enrollment, etc.

Ability to Credential through Renown's Medical Staff and/or Payor Credentialing, as applicable.