Nurse Practitioners

General Job Description

The nephrology nurse practitioner is a mid-level provider who provides care to patients throughout all stages of renal failure. Duties include assessment of health status, physical examination, diagnosis, development and implementation of a treatment plan, and follow-up care and evaluation of the patient. The nephrology nurse practitioner will perform activities in collaboration with the attending nephrologist. The nephrology nurse practitioner will also serve as a mentor, educator, researcher, manager, and collaborator for those involved in the patient’s care. Job sites include the office, hospital, and dialysis centers.

Requirements

· Graduate of an accredited Nurse Practitioner program

· Has a current Michigan Registered Nurse and Nurse Practitioner licenses

· Basic Cardiac Life Support Certification

· Strong communication and interpersonal skills

· Ability to function independently

· Experience working with renal patients, ANNA certification, and ACLS strongly desired

Job Duties

The nurse practitioner utilizes the scientific process and national standards of care as a framework for managing patient care. These duties include:

· Assessment

· Obtaining a relevant health and medical history

· Performing a physical examination based on patient needs

· Interpreting diagnostic tests

· Collecting and collaborating with other healthcare professionals and family as indicated (rounds, family meetings, discussions between collaborating providers)

· Evaluating the changing needs of the patient, patient readiness to learn, course of illness, support, and community resources

· Diagnosis

· Utilizing critical thinking in the diagnostic process

· Synthesizing and analyzing the collected data

· Formulation of a differential diagnosis based on the history, physical examination and diagnostic test results

· Collaboration with the attending nephrologist as necessary

· Development and Implementation of a treatment plan

The nurse practitioner, together with the patient, family, and health care team, establishes an evidence-based, mutually acceptable, cost-awareness plan of care that maximizes health potential. Formulation of the treatment plan includes:

· Ordering and interpretation of diagnostic tests

· Prescribing/ordering appropriate pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions

· Adjust dialysis prescription as indicated

· Consulting with nursing staff, physicians and other disciplines on complex patient/facility care issues

· Developing protocols with dialysis and office staff as indicated

· Removing sutures, staples, invasive lines as indicated

· Accurate documentation of patient status and care in the medical record

· Follow-up and evaluation of the patient status

· Determining the effectiveness of the treatment plan with documentation and evaluation of patient care outcomes

· Reassessing and modifying the plan with the patient, family, and healthcare team as necessary to achieve health and medical goals

· Participation in quality assurance review

· Research

· Support research by developing research questions, participating in research, and incorporating research findings into practice

· Education

· Serve as mentor, educator, and consultant to patient, families, and other health professionals

· Interpret the role of the nurse practitioner to those involved in patient care

· Maintenance of current knowledge by attending continuing education programs

· Maintenance of certification and license requirements in accordance with the current state and board certifying agencies