Nurse Practitioner/Physician Assistant - Neurosurgery

The Nurse Practitioner utilizes the nursing process to meet the health care needs of patients. The Nurse Practitioner's practice is based on established standards of care and is supervised by the designated physician. Additionally, the Nurse Practitioner promotes teamwork among co-workers and adheres to patient satisfaction principles. The Nurse Practitioner reports to the clinic director and to the designated physician.

Essential Duties

• Appropriate utilization of available healthcare resources.
• Communicates effectively and positively with patients and co-workers.
• Completes and locks charts timely and according to policy requirements.
• Consults with Medical Director or Collaborating physician as needed.
• Diagnoses and prescribes pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatments under the direction of the designated physician.
• Ensures confidentiality of patients, co-workers, and the organization in all day to day activities.
• Maintains accurate patient medical records.
• Maintains up to date knowledge of health issues in field of practice.
• Makes appropriate referrals to medical and social service providers.
• Obtains and reviews medical histories and performs physical assessments.
• Obtains appropriate specimens for testing.
• Orders appropriate laboratory/diagnostic testing and interprets results, providing timely follow-up.
• Performs (within scope of delineated privileges) management of IUD and skin implants.
• Performs (within scope of delineated privileges) other approved non-core privileges.
• Performs (within scope of delineated privileges) skin procedures including, but not limited to: repairing lacerations, steri-strip application, suturing and I&D.
• Performs developmental screening and age and gender appropriate screening tests.
• Provides age and gender appropriate health education and counseling.
• Provides charts for Collaborative review according to policy.

Required Experience

• Two years of nursing experience in a related field
• Previous physician office experience preferred
• Ability to work in an automated environment required

Required Licensure/Education

• Current license to practice as a registered professional nurse in the State of Illinois
• Certification as a nurse practitioner by a national certifying agency
• Current CME credits
• Graduate of an approved school of Nursing required
• Completion of an approved nurse practitioner training program

Preferred Education

• Current CPR certification as staffing needs require
• Membership in MGMA desirable

Employee Health Requirements

Exposure to:

• Chemicals: Podophyllin, alcohol, KOH, acetic acid, normal saline.
• Video Display Terminals: Average
• Blood and Body Fluids: Performing physical exams - may come in contact with vaginal discharge, blood, urine, respiratory secretions. Performs venipuncture - exposure to blood, but the use of universal precautions and protection reduces risk.
• TB or Airborne Pathogens: Minimal - if a patient is infected, it is possible that the health care worker would be exposed, but it is greatly diminished by adherence to universal precautions.

Sensory requirements (speech, vision, smell, hearing, touch):

• Speech: Needed for presentations/training, telephone communication, facilitate meetings.
• Vision: Needed to read memos and literature.
• Smell: Needed to assess type of discharge.
• Hearing: Needed for telephone communications, meetings, and listening to employee and patient concerns.
• Touch: Needed to write, do computer entry, filing.

Activity/Lifting Requirements:

Percentage of time during the normal workday the employee is required to:

• Sit: 25%
• Twist: 15%
• Stand: 40%
• Crawl: 0%
• Walk: 15%
• Kneel: 0%
• Lift: 1%
• Drive: 0%
• Squat: 0%
• Climb: 0%
• Bend: 3%
• Reach above shoulders: 1%

The weight required to be lifted each normal workday according to the continuum described below:

• Up to 10 lbs: Frequently
• Up to 20 lbs: Frequently
• Up to 35 lbs: Occasionally
• Up to 60 lbs: Occasionally
• Up to 75 lbs: Occasionally
• Up to 100 lbs: Not Required
• Over 100 lbs: Not Required

Describe and explain the lifting and carrying requirements. (Example: the distance material is carried; how high material is lifted, etc.): Carry specimen from exam room to lab area - 10 feet. Carry the fetal doppler in and out of exam rooms. Material is not lifted higher than waist level. Lifting children onto exam table.

Maximum consecutive time (minutes) during the normal workday for each activity:

• Sit: 5
• Twist: 5
• Stand: 5
• Crawl: 0
• Walk: 1
• Kneel: 0
• Lift: 1
• Drive: 0
• Squat: 0
• Climb: 0
• Bend: 2
• Reach above shoulders: 1

Repetitive use of hands (Frequency indicated):

• Simple grasp up to 15 lbs. Normal weight: continuous
• Pushing & pulling Normal weight: 50-200lbs
• Fine Manipulation: Writing, keyboarding, calculator, must manipulate the speculum and specimen collection tools, and put slides in microscope.
• Repetitive use of foot or feet in operating machine control: Not Required

Environmental Factors & Special Hazard

Environmental Factors (Time Spent):

• Inside hours: 8
• Outside hours : 0
• Temperature: Normal Range
• Lighting: Average
• Noise levels: Average
• Humidity: Normal
• Atmosphere: Odors

Special Hazards: Chemical - Podophyllis. Potential for contact with infectious blood and body fluids.

Protective Clothing Required: Lab coats, gloves, safety glasses.