Nurse Practitioner - Pediatric jobs in Sitka, AK

POSITION TITLE: Nurse Practitioner

DEPARTMENT: Primary Care

PAY GRADE: Negotiated

FLSA STATUS: Exempt

ESC CODE: 29-1171

FUNDING SOURCE: IHS

Position Summary:

The Nurse Practitioner functions autonomously to deliver primary care to complex patients, chronically ill patients, and acute patients across the lifespan; assists patients to better manage their health; and helps patients learn to integrate useful health practices into their daily lives. The nurse practitioner must possess solid critical thinking and communication skills. They must be able to use independent judgement and initiative. They must be able to think large scale while at the same time have excellent attention to detail.

This position requires compliance with Health Center’s compliance standards, including its Standards of Conduct, Compliance Program, and policies and procedures. Such compliance will be an element considered as part of the position’s regular performance evaluation. 

Essential Functions:

1. Provides primary health care at an IHS/HRSA funded facility in the city and borough of Yakutat. Primary care includes comprehensive assessment, diagnosis, and treatment as well as referral when indicated.
2. Provides urgent/emergent care for both beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries. This may include the initiation of ACLS/ATLS guidelines, trauma care, cold injury, fracture management, suturing, and management of mental health emergencies. Patients requiring emergency transfer to another facility must be stabilized prior to medical evacuation. In urgent/emergent situations the nurse practitioner must supervise and direct the care provided by adjunctive personnel.
3. Collaborate with specialists when indicated.
4. Order, perform, and interpret laboratory tests and x-rays.
5. Provides home visits if patients are unable to travel to the clinic for care.
6. Documentation of patient visits and communications utilizing the YCHC electronic medical record (EMR).
7. Involves the patient’s support system in planning and care to the degree that the patient wishes them to be involved.
8. Complies with the policies and procedures that govern YCHC.
9. Conducts care related activities considering efficiency and cost.
10. Serves as the primary patient advocate.
11. Serve as a resource for patients, staff, and the community regarding health-related issues.
12. Dispenses medications from a limited formulary.
13. Must comply with federal laws and regulations as required by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
14. Performs related duties.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of federal, state and local regulations affecting areas of responsibility.
• Knowledge/ability necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of patients served.
• Knowledge of the principle of growth and development over the life span.
• Knowledge of diagnostic, preventive, and therapeutic medical care.
• Knowledge of the scientific process including assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of complex and subtle patient needs and interventions.
• Knowledge of evidence-based practice, science of quality improvement, patient safety measures, and building patient-centered care systems.
• Knowledge of infection control standards and protocols.
• Knowledge of State of Alaska Immunization Program policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of diversity and cultural difference of Native American populations, and the ability to appreciate cultural differences and their effect on healthcare delivery.
• Ability to perform minor surgical procedures such as wound debridement, incision and drainage, removal of skin lesions, removal of foreign bodies, and wound closure after providing adequate anesthesia.
• Ability to perform routine diagnostic procedures including lab draws and tests, complete well woman exams, and perform and interpret x-rays.
• Ability to apply casts and splints.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with personnel in the clinic as well as personnel at referral centers and other agencies.
• Ability to participate in emergency call schedule, which includes working evenings, weekends, and holidays as required.
• Ability to work with personal computer and utilize a variety of software applications, including database and office software systems.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing, using tact and sensitivity.
• Skill in identifying factors that adversely impact health status and are not susceptible to treatment by accepted methods.
• Skilled in critical thinking, deductive reasoning and decision making.
• Skill in prioritizing and planning.
• Skill in use of personal computer, electronic health record (EHR) systems, and a variety of job-related software applications.

Work Environment/Physical Demands:

The work involves moderate risks or discomforts that require special safety precautions, including exposure to contagious diseases. Employees may be required to use protective clothing, such as masks, gowns, coats, boots, goggles, gloves, or shields.

The work requires some physical exertion, such as long periods of standing or sitting; recurring bending, crouching, stooping, stretching, reaching, or similar activities; or recurring lifting of moderately heavy items. The work may require specific, but common, physical characteristics and abilities, such as above average agility and dexterity.   The employee must be able to see, read, write, speak and hear.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Supervisory and Management Responsibility:

 This position has no supervisory responsibility or authority.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Completion of an accredited Advanced Practice Nurse or Nurse Practitioner Program.
• Prefer 5 years’ experience in primary care with a strong preference for additional emergency/trauma experience.
• Must have and maintain a permanent, full, and unrestricted license as an Advanced Practice Nurse or Nurse Practitioner in any U.S. State or Territory. Eligible for licensure in Alaska as an Advanced Practice Nurse with prescriptive privileges including controlled substances.
• Must obtain and maintain medical staff clinical privileges.
• Current BLS certification, ACLS certification, and PALS certification.

• Experience working with the Native American populations preferred.
• Full COVID-19 vaccination required unless a documented medical or religious exemption is approved. 
• Possession or ability to readily obtain a valid driver’s license issued by the State of Alaska with a clean driving record.
• Must successfully pass a criminal and background check.

NATIVE AMERICAN PREFERENCE WILL BE APPLIED TO HIRING OF THIS POSITION AS DEFINED IN TITLE 25, US CODE, CHAPTER 14, SUBCHAPTER V, SUBSECTION 273 AND 274.  WE ARE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER WITH PREFERENCE GIVEN TO QUALIFIED NATIVE AMERICAN/ALASKA NATIVE APPLICANTS IN ACCORDANCE WITH FEDERAL LAW AND TRIBAL POLICY.