Nurse Practitioner

POSITION SUMMARY

:

Working in Community and/or Long Term Care, the Nurse Practitioner applies advanced nursing and medical theory to the provision of clinical care, ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests, prescribing medications, and performing minor invasive procedures. Promoting healthy living, preventing illness/injury or disability, clinically managing acute and chronic illnesses and practicing collaboratively in multi-disciplinary settings are key functions of this role. The Nurse Practitioner provides comprehensive primary health care services to clients/residents and their families.

The Nurse Practitioner functions within the Vision and Mission of Prairie Mountain Health, and Primary Health Care Principles, along with the Registered Nurses Act - Extended Practice Regulation, Standards of Practice for Registered Nurses on the Extended Practice Register, Competencies for the Registered Nurse (Extended Practice), and the Code of Ethics for Registered Nurses.

The Nurse Practitioner may provide itinerant services on the Mobile Primary Care Unit as well as to surrounding communities.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Overview:

Assessment, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Assess, diagnose, manage, and evaluate health/illness concerns within the context of client/resident experiences and the determinants of health. Perform advanced comprehensive and focused health assessments. Order investigative procedures such as x-rays, lab tests, etc. consistent with professional practice standards and Prairie Mountain Health policies. Communicate with clients/residents about health findings, discuss outcomes and prognosis. Continually monitor, with client/resident, response to chosen treatment plan and make adjustments as indicated. Carry out advanced therapeutic interventions, such as minor surgical and invasive procedures, essential for clinical management. Adopt a long-term approach to client care consistent with the philosophy of family-centered nursing and as a means to ensuring continuity of care for the client/resident. Encourage maximum independence and accountability for self-care according to the client’s/resident’s capacity. Apply principles of harm reduction.

Consultation and Collaborative Practice

Communicate with the family physician and other members of the health care team to ensure co-ordinated, comprehensive, and holistic services are provided to the client/resident. Act as a clinical expert/resource to establish, maintain, and empower client/resident care delivery. Demonstrate and practice expert skill in formal and informal consultation and collaboration with all disciplines, health care professionals, and clients/residents and their families. Model and promote collaborative practice among all team members. Model client-centered care with a strong emphasis on an inter-disciplinary team approach, maximizing each discipline’s scope of practice in the delivery of holistic care. Refer clients to appropriate programs and services as needed. Participate and/or facilitate team and client care conferences as appropriate Apply accepted theories of family dynamics, interactions, and role expectations while managing the care of individuals and families.

Prescribing Drugs

Apply principles of pharmacology in selecting and prescribing drugs as part of the treatment plan. Monitor and discuss with client/resident their response and adherence to drug therapy and make changes as necessary to achieve desired effect. Apply health teaching principles when prescribing, educating, and supporting client/resident in recommended drug use.

Screening and Diagnostic Tests

Order appropriate screening and diagnostic investigation and interpret reports of these investigation based on sound clinical reasoning, scientific evidence, and critical thinking.  Consult with specialists for clarification of diagnostic interpretation when necessary. Follow up with the client/resident or alternate decision maker regarding the test results and develop plan of care accordingly.

Injury/Illness Prevention

Utilize a population health and community development approach in planning, developing, and implementing health promotion, illness prevention, and health management strategies/programs. Provide counselling and education to clients/residents and their families Determine the need for health promotion, primary and secondary prevention strategies for individuals, families and groups, and implement same Provide expertise in the promotion of wellness. Focus on preventing the onset of disease and/or disability, minimizing complications, maintaining optimal physical and emotional functioning, and promoting self-determination/management by the individual client. Conduct risk assessments related to the prevention of injury and/or disability and develop appropriate health plans to reduce/prevent risk, in collaboration with the client and other service providers.

Professional Responsibilities/Accountability

Document clinical care in a timely, accurate, and relevant manner in accordance with Prairie Mountain Health documentation practices and policies. Complete statistical data and reports as required. Demonstrate cultural competence. Participate in and contribute to research relevant to practice Utilize research findings in clinical practice. Provide clinical supervision, education, and mentoring for graduate nursing students and other health care professionals. Explain and promote the role of the nurse practitioner to clients/residents, the public, and other health care professionals. Develop and implement an education plan to maintain clinical competency. Commit to professional self-development on an ongoing basis through continuing education programs, literature/journal reviews, lectures, conferences, and/or committee work. Propose, maintain, and update policies and procedures relevant to this position in consultation with Manager. Sundry duties as assigned.

---