Primary Care Nurse Practitioners

Primary care nurse practitioners are generalists who work in family health clinics or hospitals. They provide general and preventative care, conduct check-ups, treat illnesses, order lab tests and prescribe medication for children and adults.

A nurse practitioner is an advanced practice nurse that helps with all aspects of patient care, including diagnosis, treatments and consultations. They may work in both inpatient and outpatient situations and can perform independently or as part of a treatment team. Generally, nurse practitioners perform the important task of educating patients about preventative care and prescribed treatments. They may also conduct physicals, order tests and serve as a patient's primary healthcare provider. Some nurse practitioners are also able to prescribe medications.

Duties and Responsibilities

Although there are common duties and responsibilities of all nurse practitioners, they generally vary by specialty. Specialties include primary care, pediatrics, geriatrics, oncology and psychiatric care.

Role

The Nurse Practitioner is a licensed independent practitioner who is responsible for managing health problems and coordinating health care for the perioperative patient in accordance with State and Federal rules and regulations and the nursing standards of care (assessment of health status, diagnosis, development of plan of care and treatment, implementation of treatment plan, and evaluation of patient status) 1, 2. Perioperative preparation and postoperative clinical management is conducted in collaboration with other health care team members.

Essential responsibilities

• Functions independently to perform age-appropriate history and physical for complex acute, critical, and chronically ill perioperative patients.
• Orders and interprets diagnostic and therapeutic tests relative to patient’s age-specific needs.
• Prescribes appropriate pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatment modalities
• Implements interventions to support the patient to regain or maintain physiologic stability, including but not limited to serving in the first assisting role.
• Assists with the provision of surgical care in accordance with facility, state, and federal regulations.
• Monitors the effectiveness of interventions.
• Facilitates the patient’s transition within and between health care settings, e.g. admitting, transferring, and discharging patients.
• Collaborates with multidisciplinary team members by making appropriate referrals.
• Facilitates staff, patient and family decision making by providing educational tools.

Minimum Qualifications

• Graduate of an accredited school of nursing
• Graduate of an accredited Nurse Practitioner Program
• Current Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) Licensure
• Current Nurse Practitioner certification in specialty area
• Current CNOR/CRNFA (if applicable) certification
• Current provider card in Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS); PALS provider card as required by department and facility
• Strong computer skills, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Eligible for hospital privileges

Experience

Minimum of 1-2 years OR clinical perioperative experience. 1-2 years’ experience in the Nurse Practitioner role preferred. Recent graduates are also encouraged to apply.