GENERAL SUMMARY:The BPN Specialty Nurse Practitioner provides nursing and medical services to assigned patients according to the Scope of Practice for Nurse Practitioners as identified by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners and in accordance with assigned specialty. In addition to diagnosing and managing acute and chronic illnesses, the BPN Nurse Practitioner-Specialty emphasizes health promotion and disease prevention. Services include, but are not limited to: ordering, conducting and interpreting diagnostic and laboratory tests; prescription of pharmacologic agents and non-pharmacologic therapies; and teaching and counseling individuals and groups.The BPN Nurse Practitioner-Specialty practices autonomously and in collaboration with other health care professionals to diagnose, treat and manage health problems.PRINCIPAL JOB FUNCTIONS:1. *Commits to the mission, vision, beliefs and consistently demonstrates our core values.2. *Conducts patient assessments including obtaining a relevant health and medical history; performs a physical examination based on age and history; performs or orders preventive and diagnostic procedures based on the patient’s age and history and identifies health and medical risk factors.3. *Diagnoses patients by synthesizing and analyzing the collected data; formulates a differential diagnosis based on the history, physical examination, and diagnostic test results.4. *Identifies and implements a patient treatment plan which may include ordering additional diagnostic tests; selects appropriate pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions; develops a patient education plan; makes appropriate treatment referrals.5. *Implements patient care plans based on scientific principles, theoretical knowledge, and clinical specialty expertise; accurately conducts and interprets diagnostic tests; accurately prescribes pharmacologic agents and non-pharmacologic therapies; provides relevant patient education; makes referrals to other health professionals and community agencies as needed.6. *Determines the effectiveness of patient treatment plans; documents patient care outcomes; reassesses and modifies treatment plans as necessary to achieve health and medical goals.7. Participates as a team member in the provision of health and medical care; interacts and collaborates with professional colleagues to provide comprehensive care.8. *Accurately documents patient findings, treatment plans and evaluations; documents interventions appropriately to ensure coding compliance for reimbursement purposes.9. *Maintains patient confidentiality per departmental and facility protocols and procedures.10. Performs other related projects and duties as assigned.ADDITIONAL JOB FUNCTIONS:In addition to the principal job functions contained on the primary job descriptions, the following duties are also required in the department noted above.1. * Performs an assessment of the family/support system for the patient and considers the unique dynamics and/or issues present in establishing the comprehensive plan of care.2. *Formulates, implements, monitors, evaluates and modifies palliative care plans with input from palliative care team and other collaborating providers.3. *Work with patients and families to determine their understanding of the patient’s condition, proposed treatment plan and treatment options. Facilitates clarification of patient and family goals of care.4. *Assists in all facets of care coordination for palliative care referrals.5. * Implements patient and family education in collaboration with the interdisciplinary team.6. *Prescribes and recommends pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions to manage symptoms and pain.7. Initiates appropriate consultations and referrals as indicated.8. Actively participates in weekly interdisciplinary care team conferences.9. Helps to facilitate access to appropriate supportive care services.10. *Engages in quality improvement monitoring and improvement.11. Identifies internal and external resources, in collaboration with the PCP, which will support the patient throughout the care continuum.12. Serves as a resource person to the full care team; recommends changes in plan of care to facilitate optimum patient outcome.13. Advocates for improvements in palliative care through participation in professional, private and governmental activities.14. Prepares and completes patient discharge specialty sign off notes for consulted patients within 24 hours of dismissal.15. Provides clinical expertise and guidance undergraduate and/or graduate nursing students in the area of palliative care.16. Acts as a resource person for clinical information and education as requested by community agencies.17. Demonstrates accountability for evaluation of clinical practice, including adherence to organizational, state and national practice standards and codes.18. Engages in active and frequent self-care activities for personal and professional growth and longevity.REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:Minimum of five (5) years of clinical nursing experience. Certification as an Adult, Geriatric, or Family Nurse Practitioner preferred. Prior adult or family practice experience preferred with an emphasis in pain, palliative care or hospice care. Current certification in Palliative Care preferred.EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:Current Registered Nurse licensure from the State of Nebraska or approved compact state of residence as defined by the Nebraska Nurse Practice Act required. Master of Science degree in Nursing with current Advanced Practice Registered Nurse licensure from the State of Nebraska required. Certification in specialty area required. Certification with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration for prescriptive authority required. Prior specialty experience preferred. Completion of the Bryan Physician Network credentialing and re-credentialing process required for employment.OTHER CREDENTIALS / CERTIFICATIONS:Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required.
