Nurse Practitioner - PA - Health and Wellness Clinic - 1

General Summary:
To provide healthcare and promote wellness to the employees of Brazos County and their families as well as provide healthcare to residents of the Brazos County Detention Center, Brazos County Juvenile Detention Center, and contracted sites The Nurse Practitioner/Physician Assistant may work in any setting that is within the scope of his or her supervising physician’s practice. The supervising physician’s scope of practice shall be defined for the purpose of this section as those tasks and procedures which the supervising physician is qualified by training or expertise to perform.

Essential Duties:
Perform complete, detailed and accurate histories, review patient records to develop comprehensive medical status reports, and order laboratory, radiological and diagnostic studies appropriate for complaint, age, race, sex and physical condition of the patient. Complete physical examinations and record pertinent data in electronic medical record in a timely manner. Make medical diagnoses and institute therapy or referrals of patients to the appropriate health care facilities, agencies, other resources of the community, or other physicians. Institute emergency measures and emergency treatment or appropriate stabilization measures in situations such as cardiac arrest, shock, hemorrhage, and convulsions. Interpret and evaluate patient data to determine patient management and treatment. Provide instructions and guidance regarding medical care matters and laboratory or imaging results to patients. Oversee the clinical functions of staff in providing quality patient care. Perform simple minor surgical procedures such as suturing, wound debridement, incision and drainage of abscess, and simple biopsies, Perform and assist in routine laboratory medical techniques and routine therapeutic procedures within level of training and experience including but not limited to phlebotomy, collection of cultures, injections, immunizations, and wound management. Acts as a patient advocate, coordinator and liaison for BCHWC in dealing with the community. Supports the “team” concept of healthcare and act as a liaison between the Health and Wellness Clinic and Brazos County employees. Contribute to the timely flow of the Brazos County Health and Wellness Clinic by examining, evaluating and treating its patient population in an efficient, effective and timely fashion. Assist in the timely ordering of clinic supplies and vaccines. Present educational lectures on medical topics to the staff and patient population. Assist in maintaining a safe, clean clinic and protecting the confidentiality of each patient by maintaining HIPAA Compliance. Maintain professional and technical competence by staying up to date in all the aspects of general/ family practice by regular continuing education. Inform and consult with the supervising physician about any problems or discrepancies that might arise. Cultivate a climate of trust and compassion with the patients. Comply strictly with medical standards of care and safety standards & regulations. Other Duties as assigned. 

Supervision 
Received: Medical: Brazos County Medical Director/Supervising physician 
Administrative: Clinic Director 
Given: Clinical Staff of the Brazos County Health and Wellness Clinic

Education    
Required: Graduated college and obtained an undergraduate degree. 
Post graduate training leading to either a NP or PA degree. 
Preferred:    

Experience    
Required: 3-5 years of general/ family practice experience. 
Preferred: Bilingual

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations    
Required: Certificate or diploma of completion of either a Nurse Practitioner or Physician’s Assistant Program. Licensed by the State of Texas to work as a NP or PA. 
Must be current and without restriction. 
Must pass all required background checks.
BLS required. 
Vaccines: HepB, TDap, and yearly Influenza. TB screen within 6 months of employment.
Preferred: ACLS & PALS preferred

Physical Demands    
Typical: Requires full range of body motion including manual and finger dexterity and eye-hand coordination. Requires standing and walking for extensive periods of time. Subject to standing, walking, sitting, repetitive motion, reaching, climbing stairs, bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, pushing, pulling, balancing, client/customer contact, squatting to perform the essential functions. Occasionally lifts and carries items weighing up to 50 pounds. Requires corrected vision and hearing to normal range. Requires working under stressful conditions or working irregular hours. Requires exposure to communicable disease or body fluids.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities    
Typical: Must have thorough knowledge of techniques required for diagnosing, treating and at sometimes prescribing medicines and alternatives for the patient’s recovery and provide counseling and guidance for any physical or mental dysfunctions under the supervision of the physician. This includes symptoms management, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures. Good knowledge in providing personal services such as meeting the quality norms, and evaluation of customer or patient satisfaction. Must possess good English knowledge including grammar and other rules of composition to prescribe medicines to patients and other customers. Should be an active listener, learner, with critical thoughts, reasoning and possess good judgment skills to make decisions using scientific methods and tools to provide solutions to problems.. Ability to effectively handle and manage heavy workloads, function effectively under stress, adapt to changing environments, display flexibility, and to learn to function in the face of uncertainties inherent in the clinical problems of patients. Should understand, and function within, the legal and ethical aspects of the practice of medicine, and maintain and display ethical and moral behaviors commensurate with the role of a physician assistant in all interactions with patients, county officials, staff, and the public.

Work Environment    
Typical: Frequent exposure to communicable diseases, toxic substances, and other conditions common to a clinic environment.