Office Nurse Practitioner - Lexington Health Cancer Center

Job Summary

Assesses the physical and psychosocial status of patients by means of interview, health history, physical examination and diagnostic tests. Interprets the data, develops and implements a plan of treatment, follows through on a continuum of patient care across the health-illness continuum and lifespan within protocols set forth and approved by both the nurse practitioner and practice physicians.

Essential Functions

• Documents all situations, both internally and externally, that may arise out of the ordinary or are necessary to maintain accurate patient charts/records.
• Provides diagnosis and treatment of common acute illnesses; prevention and maintenance health care to patients with stable chronic illnesses; and performs interim physical examinations for healthy patients within prescribed guidelines.
• Elicits appropriate present and past medical history and review of systems.
• Performs appropriate physical examination and orders appropriate diagnostic studies.
• Discriminates between normal and abnormal findings in history and physical.
• Establishes appropriate differential diagnosis.
• Assesses stability of chronic illness and compliance with present therapy; monitors for complications of disease or therapy.
• Establishes appropriate treatment plan.
• Assesses need for hospitalization or physician intervention.
• Determines timing for follow-up and orders appropriate referrals.
• Counsels regarding health maintenance and disease prevention, and provides anticipatory guidance as appropriate.
• Provides health education to patients about ways to improve, promote, and maintain their health status.
• Maintains accurate records, medication lists, and documentation of care and follow-up for administrative purposes and reimbursement of services.
• Adheres to agreed-upon format/protocol for documentation or records.
• Reviews and updates problem list at least on annual visit/episodic visit by patient and initiates problem and medication lists on new patients seen.
• Documents telephone calls with patients and specialists.
• Maintains competence in clinical practice through self-assessment, peer review, and supervisory review.
• Participates in a variety of educational activities in order to maintain and increase competency.
• Participates in developing, implementing, and interpreting quality assurance/risk management programs.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Supervises and intervenes with clinical issues and supports/directs triage by clinical staff when necessary.
• Implements clinical education and training of clinical staff when necessary.
• Is available for feedback on call-back and triage issues as needed.
• Identifies barriers to patient care flow or delivery, and assists at formulating corrective action.
• Adheres to the drug formulary developed by the practice.
• Prescribes within the practice agreement set forth by supervising physicians 100% of the time.
• Ensures updated and accurate practice agreement every 2 years as set forth in rules and regulations for prescribing authority.
• Maintains confidentiality of patient and of patient/practice information with no infractions as noted by supervision.
• Maintains current signed protocols reviewed and revised annually and as needed.
• Demonstrates responsibility for individual performance and efficient utilization of products, supplies, equipment, and time.
• Follows established safety precautions and procedures in the performance of all duties.
• Ensures Hazardous Waste or Hazardous Waste Pharmaceuticals are discarded, stored, and managed properly.
• Initial RCRA training is received within 6 months of the hire date and continuing with annual RCRA training.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.