NS Advance Practice Provider (App) - Nurse Practitioner (Np) Or Physician Assistant (Pa) - Part-Time

Description of Work

Position Definition: The Advanced Practice Provider provides direct patient services in specialized clinical areas within his/her scope of practice and assumes responsibility for making independent judgments. The Advanced Practice Provider may be a nurse practitioner or a physician's assistant.

The Nurse Practitioner works independently yet in collaboration with the Medical Director in the provision of health department services; the Physician's Assistant provides health department services with the support and supervision of the Medical Director.

General Duties:Provides health care according to established policies and procedures. Makes tentative diagnoses and decisions about management and treatment of patients.

Examines patients to obtain information about their physical condition. Orders diagnostic tests such as x-rays, laboratory test, electrocardiograms. Reviews and interprets diagnostic test results for deviations from normal.

Prescribes medications or treatments based on established standards of care for a given specialty. Makes referrals based on examination and laboratory findings. Consults, administers and prescribes travel-related vaccines and medications.

Educates on safe travel practices. Performs routine vaccinations. Interviews and instructs persons diagnosed with communicable diseases and their contacts to promote cure and prevent contagion.

Instructs and counsels patients and their families on psychosocial and pathophysiological aspects of their illness, health maintenance and problems, and prescribed therapeutic regimen. Supervises individuals and families in the prevention of disease, promotion of health and rehabilitation of illness.

Additional duties:Maintains records and statistical data for reporting, analysis and trend identification. Assists in advocating for the development of public health programs in the community.

Collaborates with other health department agencies and maintains professional networks with other health professionals. Implements community educational programs. Represents the department of health at community meetings and professional organizations. Engages in quality improvement by identifying and implementing processes for improvement.

Supervised By: Physician Assistant and Nurse Practitioner receive general direction from the Supervisor of Clinical Services.

Note: The above is illustrative of tasks and responsibilities. It is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task or responsibility.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of public health principles and practices. Knowledge of the practices and procedures pertaining to conducting physical and examinations.

Knowledge of the types of vaccines required to travel. Knowledge of public health principles and practices. Knowledge of the control and care of communicable diseases.

Knowledge of maternal and child health. Ability to instruct in health habits. Ability to interpret public health programs.

Ability to establish and maintain effective public relations. Ability to prescribe medication and treatment based on interpretation of symptoms. Ability to work with a diverse patient population and workforce.

Ability to provide excellent customer service. Ability to maintain records. Ability to make independent decision and consult a medical doctor as needed.

Ability to work with a limited or no supervision. Ability to use office and medical equipment.

Minimum Qualifications

Nurse Practitioner Qualifications: Master's degree in Nursing, successful completion of an accredited Nurse Practitioner program. Three (3) years of Public Health Nursing preferred.

OR

Physician Assistant Qualifications: Master's degree in Physician Assistant studies, successful completion of an accredited Physician Assistant program. Three (3) years of Public Health Physician Assistant experience preferred.

Special Licenses/Certifications AND/OR Supplemental Information

License or Certificate: Possession of a valid license as either an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse in the State of Connecticut with CT State prescribing authority or an Advanced Practice Physician's Assistant in the State of Connecticut with CT State prescribing authority. Valid license to operate a motor vehicle in Connecticut.

Hours: Up to 19.5 hours per week