Nurse Practitioner (#333070)

Provides a variety of primary diagnostic and medical care nursing services to ambulatory care patients with a variety of acute and chronic conditions; screens health problems, treats minor illnesses, and provides health maintenance education to patients.

This is a professional level class characterized by the provision of medical nurse practitioner services utilizing a wide range of diagnostic and treatment skills.  Incumbents may be assigned to special segments within the population or may work with patients of any age.  This class is distinguished from other nursing classifications by additional certification and responsibilities for performing prevention, health screening, teaching, diagnostic, treatment, rehabilitation and supportive services as a member of a primary health care team.  Incumbent’s work under established protocols.

Receives general medical supervision from a physician.
 
May provide technical and functional supervision over nursing and clinical support staff.

• Provides direct patient services in a primary care setting to public health patients in a variety of clinics including family clinics and correctional service centers.
• Secures health histories of patients; performs physical examinations and performs routine lab tests to determine state of the patient’s health; identifies abnormal conditions and develops treatment plans within protocols and under the direction of a physician; evaluates patient needs for other medical, health and social services.
• Records findings, assessment, treatment plan and subsequent evaluations; makes referrals to medical and other community resources; provides for follow-up within the clinic system.
• Counsels patients and families on general health care and specific health problems; coordinates and cooperates with other agencies in planning and ensuring continuity of patient care.
• Participates in other health care programs and community relations to promote medical/health care education.
• May lead other professional and/or clinic support staff; may coordinate clinic operations; assists in ensuring efficiency and effectiveness of health services by reviewing practices and procedures and suggesting possible changes in operations.
• May be responsible for the development or may assist the Program Manager in developing and participating in medical quality assurance programs.

Knowledge of:

• Principles, practices and procedures in the identification, diagnosis, treatment and management of acute and chronic health problems common to clients within incumbent’s area of specialization.
• Communicable disease detection, prevention, and management practices.
• Roles and responsibilities of medical/health care professionals.
• Principles and practices of skilled nursing.
• Psychosocial factors involved in administering medical/health services.
• Medical terms, instruments and equipment.
• Routine lab testing techniques.
• Principles of patient education.
• Health and social service referral resources.
• Legal environment of nursing.
• Clinic operation and administration practices.

Skills to:

• Utilize basic office equipment as well as various medical equipment, tools, and supplies.

Ability to:

• Work with physicians and other health professionals.
• Recognize and respect scope of authority and limits of practice.
• Comply with nursing practices and protocols.
• Conduct physical examinations.
• Diagnose and treat common medical conditions under the direction of a physician.
• Coordinate patient care.
• Make referrals for health and social services.
• Maintain professional patient-nurse relationship.
• Work independently with minimal continuing direction.
• Deal effectively with manipulative and anti-social behaviors.
• Recognize abnormal conditions and make referrals to appropriate medical/health care specialists.
• Document findings and assessments with clarity and accuracy.
• Perform routine lab tests.
• Conduct routine research using medical reference materials, within area of specialization.
• Suggest operational changes to increase effectiveness and efficiency of service delivery.
• Effectively use assigned personnel.
• Maintain currency in family practice knowledge and skills.
• Coordinate clinic operations.
• Maintains confidentiality of information.

1. Some clinical nursing experience in a primary or ambulatory care setting supplemented by exposure to public health services. AND
2. Masters degree is required from an accredited college or university in the nurse practitioners program.

Possession of a valid Registered Nurse license and certification to practice as a Nurse Practitioner issued by the California State Board of Registered Nursing.
 
Possession of or ability to obtain a valid Class C California driver’s license may be required.
 
Possession of a current CPR certificate.

Independent travel may be required.
 
Position allocated to this class may require bilingual skills.
 
Selectees for employment must, as a condition of employment, sign a statement agreeing to comply with Section 11166 of the California Penal Code relating to child abuse reporting.

Physical Ability:  Tasks require the ability to exert moderate, though not constant physical effort, typically involving some combination of climbing and balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, and crawling, and which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of moderate weight (12-20 pounds).
 
Sensory Requirements:  Some tasks require visual perception and discrimination.  Some tasks require oral communications ability.
 
Environmental Factors:  Incumbents must be able to work in an environment that may include exposure to communicable disease.