University of New England

Nurse Practitioner - Mature Care

Basic Function

To evaluate and treat patients in a variety of long term care settings.

Characteristic Duties & Responsibilities
Primary

• Provides direct clinical care to patients/residents within established clinical guidelines. Consults and refers patients to physicians, medical specialists and other health professionals as indicated.  Interviews patients/residents, takes medical histories. Performs physical examinations, analyze, diagnose and explain medical problems. Recommends and explains appropriate diagnostic tests and treatment.  Performs specialized diagnostic physical exams and treatment procedures.  Instructs and educates patients/residents, facility staff and family members in preventive/other health care.  Confers with facility staff and physicians on phone to discuss test results, hear emergency complaints and deal with similar situations and issues. Participates in evening and weekend call schedule.
• Fully documents all aspects of patient care, and complete all required paperwork for billing and administrative purposes.
• Orders laboratory and other tests as appropriate.
• Performs a variety of research and analysis tasks associated with medical diagnosis and treatment: research unusual symptoms and treatment options through consultation with physicians and other medical specialists, literature review, and the like; review, analyze and determine the significance of a variety of diagnostic test results; formulate diagnoses and treatment plans, independently and/or in consultation with or referring to supervising physician as appropriate.
• Gives clinical instructions to nursing staff, medical assistants and others as required.
• Assists in clinical instruction and supervision of medical, nursing and physician assistant students as assigned.
• Confers regularly with the Administrator and Medical Director, staff physicians, other Health Service staff, and various UNE/UNECOM personnel to consult on/refer specific patients, plan and coordinate activities, exchange information, investigate and resolve problems, and the like.
• Deals regularly with community hospitals, physicians and other health care providers, insurance companies, area business employers and other community organizations to refer/consult on specific cases, participate in community service and education projects and activities, and the like.
• Keeps up-to-date on relevant medical research, technology, and related issues by attending continuing education courses and professional meetings, reading journals, etc.
• Understands and complies with Universal Precautions, MSDS and HAZCOM procedures and policies as part of UNE's comprehensive OSHA compliance program.
• Understands and complies with the University of New England Safety Manual, paying special attention to the Responsibilities Section, Chapter 8, Bloodborne Pathogens, and Chapter 17, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). The Safety Manual can be found on-line on UNE’s intranet.
• Understands and complies with the policies and procedures of the long-term care settings (nursing facilities, retirement communities and assisted living facilities) that are assigned as part of regular work schedule.
• Performs related duties as necessary and other duties as assigned.

Supervision Received

General supervision is received from the Executive Director of MatureCare; clinical supervision is received from MatureCare physicians.

Qualifications

Graduate of an accredited Geriatric (preferable), Adult or Family Nurse Practitioner program.  Previous geriatric experience is preferred but not required.

• Current and appropriate type - Nurse Practitioner's License from the State of Maine.
• Broad base of technical knowledge and skills needed to perform all assigned clinical/administrative and academic duties.
• Relevant experience in geriatrics/long term care settings; experience in an academic/teaching environment desirable.
• EMT or Advanced Cardiac Life Support training/certification.
• Good informal teaching skills.
• Ability to speak clearly and comfortably to and use tact, discretion and sensitivity in dealing with patients/residents, facility staff and family members, including good interviewing and counseling skills, and the ability to explain medical problems and treatments in accurate and understandable lay language.  Ability to work cooperatively with physicians, other Health Service staff, hospitals and other health care providers, and others inside and outside of the University.

Annual Training Requirements

• Blood Borne Pathogens
• Code of Conduct
• Ergonomics
• Fire Safety
• Sexual Harassment