Nurse Practitioner-BH-Crisis Center

As a Nurse Practitioner-BH-Crisis Center employee provides clinical services to persons with a variety of mental health needs of, adult and geriatric populations in the acute care setting. This position is responsible for the diagnosis and treatment of both physical and mental health disorders within regulatory and/or accrediting guidelines. The Nurse Practitioner demonstrates a high level of independence and clinical expertise in the management of health conditions 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.

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, 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 Crisis Center 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 their specialty and appear in their protocols:

11. Systematically access the health status of persons and families by:

a. Taking, recording, and interpreting medical histories and performing physical examinations

b. Performing or initiating selected diagnostic procedures

c. Based on information obtained in the assessment of a person’s health, manage the care of selected persons, acute, recurrent, or long-term health problems

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

e. Prescribe medications and patient education regarding medications, risks, benefits, and reasonable outcome expectations consistent with Nevada prescribing laws and DEA privileges.

f. Orders laboratory tests, interprets and explains the test results to patients.

g. Refers patients for inpatient care or other levels of care as needed.

h. Evaluation of adherence with a program of treatment agreed upon by patient

i. Referral to appropriate providers of health care as needed

j. Collaborate with the staff psychiatrist, the nursing staff, and technical personnel, as well as other hospital providers to improve care.

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

l. Provide psychiatric health services, education, counseling, and emotional support.

3. Any other evidence-based act if:

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

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

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

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 at all times comply with the provisions of NRS 632 and Regulations of the Nevada State Board of Nursing.

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

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

ACADEMICS:

1. Renown Health and University of Nevada Reno School of Medicine have created an academic health center, and the Nurse Practitioner position will be expected to engage in teaching, scholarship and advancing the academic mission of both institutions.

2. This position is expected to serve as a University of Nevada Reno School of Medicine joint faculty member and engage in meaningful participation per guidelines.

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.

 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.