JOB DESCRIPTION
Position Title: Nurse Practitioner (NP)
Department: Valley Springs Health & Wellness Center - Clinical Medical
Reports To: Medical Director
FLSA Status: Non-exempt
Employment Status: Full-Time/Part-Time, as applicable
Location: Valley Springs Health & Wellness Center – Rural Health Clinic
POSITION SUMMARY
The Nurse Practitioner (NP) is an advanced practice registered nurse responsible for providing comprehensive, patient-centered healthcare services within Valley Springs Health & Wellness Center, a Rural Health Clinic. The Nurse Practitioner provides care consistent with their education, training, experience, certification, clinical privileges, organizational policies, and applicable federal and California laws and regulations governing Nurse Practitioner practice.
The Nurse Practitioner evaluates and manages acute and chronic health conditions, provides preventive and wellness services, develops and implements treatment plans, orders and interprets diagnostic testing, prescribes medications and treatments within authorized scope of practice, provides patient education, and coordinates referrals and follow-up care.
The Nurse Practitioner functions as an integral member of the interdisciplinary healthcare team and works collaboratively with physicians, other advanced practice providers, registered nurses, medical assistants, behavioral health professionals, dental personnel, referral staff, and other clinical and administrative personnel to promote safe, effective, coordinated, and accessible patient care.
Compensation and Benefits
$70.00-$95.00 DOE
Valley Springs Health & Wellness Center offers a competitive compensation and benefits package that may include:
Medical Insurance
Vision Insurance (included in Medical)
Dental Insurance
401(k) Retirement Plan
Some Paid Holidays
Accruing Vacation according to policy
Sick Leave in accordance with California law
Continuing Education and Professional Development Opportunities
Benefits are subject to eligibility requirements and plan provisions and may be modified by the organization.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND CLINICAL RESPONSIBILITIES
The Nurse Practitioner provides comprehensive healthcare services appropriate to the patient population assigned to the provider. Responsibilities include obtaining and documenting appropriate medical histories; performing physical examinations and clinical assessments; evaluating symptoms and clinical findings; establishing differential and working diagnoses; and developing, implementing, and monitoring individualized treatment plans.
The Nurse Practitioner evaluates and manages acute illnesses and injuries as well as chronic medical conditions. The provider orders and interprets laboratory studies, diagnostic imaging, and other clinically appropriate testing and uses the results in developing and modifying patient treatment plans. When a patient's condition exceeds the Nurse Practitioner's scope, competency, clinical privileges, or the capabilities of the clinic, the Nurse Practitioner initiates appropriate consultation, referral, transfer, or escalation to a higher level of care.
The Nurse Practitioner prescribes medications, treatments, therapies, medical devices, and other interventions in accordance with applicable California law, furnishing or prescribing authority, DEA registration when applicable, clinical privileges, and organizational policies and procedures.
Preventive healthcare is an essential component of the position. The Nurse Practitioner assesses preventive health needs and provides or coordinates appropriate screenings, immunizations, health maintenance services, risk-reduction counseling, and patient education. The provider promotes effective management of chronic disease and encourages patient participation in treatment planning and healthcare decision-making.
PATIENT EDUCATION AND CONTINUITY OF CARE
The Nurse Practitioner communicates diagnoses, treatment options, medication instructions, test results, follow-up recommendations, and other relevant healthcare information to patients and, when appropriate and authorized, their families or caregivers. Education will be provided in a manner appropriate to the patient's needs and level of understanding.
The Nurse Practitioner is responsible for appropriate continuity and follow-through of care. This includes timely review and response to laboratory and imaging results, medication refill requests, patient messages, consultation reports, referrals, hospital or emergency department information, and other clinical information requiring provider review.
Abnormal or clinically significant findings shall be appropriately addressed, communicated, documented, and followed until the provider's responsibility for the matter has been appropriately completed, transferred, or otherwise resolved.
MEDICAL RECORD DOCUMENTATION
The Nurse Practitioner maintains accurate, complete, timely, and clinically appropriate documentation in the electronic health record. Documentation shall support the services provided and comply with applicable professional standards, payer requirements, Rural Health Clinic requirements, organizational policies, and federal and California laws and regulations.
The Nurse Practitioner is responsible for completing medical records, orders, prescriptions, referrals, result reviews, patient communications, and other assigned clinical documentation within established organizational timeframes.
The provider is expected to safeguard patient information and maintain confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA, California privacy requirements, and Valley Springs Health & Wellness Center policies and procedures.
COLLABORATION AND TEAM RESPONSIBILITIES
The Nurse Practitioner works collaboratively with other members of the healthcare team to provide coordinated patient care and maintain effective clinical operations. The provider communicates relevant clinical information to appropriate staff and participates in care coordination when patients require services from multiple providers, specialists, hospitals, community organizations, or other healthcare entities.
The Nurse Practitioner may provide clinical direction and guidance to nursing and medical assistant personnel regarding patient care activities that fall within those employees' authorized scopes of practice. Nothing within this job description authorizes the Nurse Practitioner or another employee to perform duties outside an individual's legally permitted scope of practice.
The Nurse Practitioner is expected to maintain professional and respectful working relationships and to participate in provider meetings, staff meetings, clinical education, quality activities, and other organizational functions as reasonably required.
QUALITY, PATIENT SAFETY AND REGULATORY COMPLIANCE
The Nurse Practitioner is responsible for providing care consistent with accepted professional standards, evidence-based clinical practices, applicable regulatory requirements, and Valley Springs Health & Wellness Center policies and procedures.
The provider participates in quality assurance and performance improvement activities, patient safety initiatives, population health activities, preventive care programs, chronic disease management, and other Rural Health Clinic quality initiatives as assigned and appropriate to the position.
The Nurse Practitioner shall comply with infection prevention and control standards, medication safety requirements, workplace safety requirements, emergency procedures, incident reporting requirements, and all other applicable clinic policies. Patient safety concerns, adverse events, medication errors, suspected privacy breaches, or other reportable incidents shall be promptly addressed and reported through established organizational procedures.
PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT
The Nurse Practitioner is expected to exercise independent professional judgment appropriate to their role while recognizing the limits of their education, competency, scope of practice, and clinical privileges.
The provider shall maintain professional boundaries and conduct themselves in a manner consistent with applicable professional standards and Valley Springs Health & Wellness Center expectations regarding integrity, professionalism, accountability, respect, communication, teamwork, and patient-centered care.
The Nurse Practitioner is expected to maintain reliable attendance and punctuality, appropriately manage assigned patient care responsibilities, communicate concerns affecting patient care or clinic operations, and perform assigned duties in a safe, professional, and timely manner.
LICENSURE, CREDENTIALING AND MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
The Nurse Practitioner must possess and continuously maintain all licenses, certifications, registrations, and professional qualifications legally required to perform the duties of the position in California.
The position requires graduation from an accredited Nurse Practitioner educational program; current California licensure as a Registered Nurse; current authorization/certification to practice as a Nurse Practitioner in California; and current national certification when required for the individual's practice and credentialing.
The Nurse Practitioner must maintain furnishing and prescribing authority appropriate to assigned responsibilities and DEA registration when required for the medications prescribed within the position.
Current Basic Life Support (BLS/CPR) certification is required. Additional certifications may be required based upon the provider's assigned patient population, clinical duties, organizational credentialing requirements, or applicable law.
Employment and continued clinical practice are contingent upon successful completion and maintenance of the organization's credentialing and privileging requirements.
Primary care, family medicine, internal medicine, community health, or Rural Health Clinic experience is preferred but may not be required depending upon the qualifications and experience of the candidate.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
The Nurse Practitioner must demonstrate appropriate clinical knowledge and judgment; the ability to assess, diagnose, and manage patients within authorized scope of practice; effective written and verbal communication skills; sound organizational and time-management abilities; and the ability to appropriately prioritize competing clinical responsibilities.
The position requires the ability to recognize changes in patient condition, identify circumstances requiring consultation or escalation of care, communicate effectively with patients and healthcare professionals, and function effectively within an interdisciplinary outpatient healthcare environment.
The Nurse Practitioner must demonstrate competency in electronic health record documentation and the technology necessary to perform assigned clinical responsibilities.
PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS
The position requires the ability to perform the physical functions ordinarily associated with outpatient clinical practice, which may include prolonged sitting or standing, walking, bending, reaching, repetitive hand movements, use of computers and clinical equipment, and assisting with patient examinations and procedures.
The employee may have occupational exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials, communicable diseases, sharps, medications, cleaning or disinfecting agents, and other hazards commonly associated with a healthcare environment. The employee is required to follow applicable infection prevention, exposure-control, safety, and personal protective equipment requirements.
Valley Springs Health & Wellness Center will provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with applicable law.
OTHER DUTIES
This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by the Nurse Practitioner and is not intended to contain a comprehensive listing of every responsibility, activity, or duty required of the position.
The employee may be assigned additional duties that are reasonably related to the position, consistent with the employee's qualifications, clinical competency, authorized scope of practice, and applicable law.
Nothing contained in this job description creates an employment contract or alters the at-will employment relationship where at-will employment is otherwise applicable. Valley
Springs Health & Wellness Center reserves the right to modify duties and responsibilities consistent with operational needs and applicable law.
Disclaimer
This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications. Mark Twain Health Care District/Valley Springs Health & Wellness Center reserves the right to modify duties and responsibilities as operational needs require.
Valley Springs Health & Wellness Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to providing a workplace free from discrimination and harassment.
EMPLOYEE ACKNOWLEDGMENT
I acknowledge that I have received and reviewed this job description and understand the general duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and expectations of my position. I understand that this job description is not an employment contract and that duties may be modified as reasonably necessary based upon organizational needs and applicable law.
LICENSURE, CREDENTIALING AND MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
The Nurse Practitioner must possess and continuously maintain all licenses, certifications, registrations, and professional qualifications legally required to perform the duties of the position in California.
The position requires graduation from an accredited Nurse Practitioner educational program; current California licensure as a Registered Nurse; current authorization/certification to practice as a Nurse Practitioner in California; and current national certification when required for the individual's practice and credentialing.
The Nurse Practitioner must maintain furnishing and prescribing authority appropriate to assigned responsibilities and DEA registration when required for the medications prescribed within the position.
Current Basic Life Support (BLS/CPR) certification is required. Additional certifications may be required based upon the provider's assigned patient population, clinical duties, organizational credentialing requirements, or applicable law.
Employment and continued clinical practice are contingent upon successful completion and maintenance of the organization's credentialing and privileging requirements.
