Nurse Practitioner-Wound Limb Preservation Service

Position Purpose

This position demonstrates a high level of independence and clinical expertise in the management of lower extremity limb preservation 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.

Nature and Scope

Nurse Practitioner for Wound Care Specialty:

• Abides by state practice acts, regulations, and laws established within the state/states of licensure, and facility or agency-based credentialing and privileging requirements to prescribe medications, order tests and treatments, and make necessary referrals.

• Independently or in collaboration with the physician comprehensively assesses and establishes diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment plan.

• As a leader, provides oversight, assistance, and guidance to other members of the interdisciplinary LPS team to establish and provide a comprehensive approach to limb preservation management that includes all disciplines and promotes optimum outcomes.

• Provides bedside treatments to include excisional sharp debridement, foot and nail care, biopsy, I&D, tenotomy, when indicated and permitted by state practice acts and facility policy.

• Independently, or in collaboration with other interdisciplinary LPS team members, orders appropriate diagnostics, consults appropriate specialty providers (Ortho, Id, Vascular, Diabetes education, wound team, hospitalists, social work, case management), and provides corresponding education to patients, family members/caregivers, and facility/agency staff.

• Collaborates with other limb preservation professionals to promote research and assess findings to establish updated, relevant approaches to improve wound prevention and wound care practices.

• Collaborates with other LPS team members to promote the facility or agency quality improvement program.

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 adolescent, adult, and geriatric 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:

• Systematically access the health status of persons and families by:

• Taking, recording, and interpreting medical histories and performing physical examinations

• Performing or initiating selected diagnostic procedures.

• Based on information obtained in the assessment of a person’s health, manage the care of selected persons and families common, acute, recurrent, or long-term health problem. Management may include:

• Initiation of a program of treatment for the patient, in conjunction with the supervising physician.

• Prescribe medications consistent with Nevada prescribing laws and DEA privileges.

• Evaluation of responses to health problems and programs of treatment

• Informing a person or family of the status of the patient’s health and alternatives for care

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

• Modification of programs of treatment based on the response of the person or family to treatment.

• Referral to appropriate providers of health care

• Treatment of minor lacerations which do not involve damage to a nerve, tendon, or major blood vessel, as applicable.

• Commencement of care is required to stabilize a patient’s condition in an emergency until a physician can be consulted.

• Any other act if:

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

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

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

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

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• Adopts a philosophy consistent with the Renown Health Purpose Statement and models “Standards of Conduct” concepts.

• Effective communication skills – written and verbal.

• Ability to establish positive working relations with Provider Staff.

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

• Work as part of a team toward clinic goals.

• Maintains accurate, legible, and confidential records.

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

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

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

• Patient advocate through ethical and legal standards.

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

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

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

• The Nurse Practitioner shall at all times comply with the provisions of NRS 632 and Regulations of the Nevada State Board of Nursing.

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

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

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

Bibliography:

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

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

Disclaimer

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.

Minimum Qualifications
Requirements - Required and/or Preferred

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.

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):

Board Certified as a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or Board Certified as a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) through American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB) or Board Certified as an Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNPC-AG) through the American Association of Critical Care Nurses (ANCCN), required at time of hire.

Basic Life Support (BLS) or Advanced Certification 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.

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