Occupational Medicine- Nurse Practitioner/ Physician Assistant- Piedmont Augusta

Overview:

Under the direction of the Medical Director and the Director of Occupational Health Services, the Nurse Practitioner – Occupational Health performs a wide variety of duties in support of Occupational Health. Instructs and counsels patients regarding their illness, injury, therapeutic and diagnostic procedures, treatment regimens, normal growth and development, preventive education, discharge planning, emotional problems of daily living and health maintenance. Assists with the care of employees from various industries in the Central Savannah River Area (CSRA). Uses nurse practitioner and occupational medicine knowledge to provide direct patient care for office visits and procedures which may be performed in the office or in off-site client work places. Works under the auspices of University Physician staff in accordance with state and federal laws governing Nurse Practitioners. The provision of care will be provided in an environment that embraces maximum participation by the staff. Demonstrates population-specific competencies (e.g. age-specific, cultural sensitivity, patient-centered communication) in performance of role.

Responsibilities:

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Performs a variety of medical surveillance, pre-placement medical examinations and periodic work-related physical examinations (including DOT, regulated examinations, return to work and fitness for duty evaluations, etc.) for a variety of industries, multiple work exposures, and occupations throughout the CSRA and local Southeastern United States. Ensures information is documented accurately and clearly in medical record (either hard copy or electronically notating countersigned by supervising physician within 24 hours.

• Provides medical assessments and health services to employees of occupational clients who become ill or injured at work or at point of care industrial sites. Develops and implements appropriate treatment plans (physical therapy, diagnostic testing, and specialists) and follow-up. Prescribes appropriate medications according to set protocols.

• Consolidates all medical, laboratory, and vital data comparing to physical demands of position to make appointment placement decision.

• Involves supervising physician as appropriate to make appropriate medical decisions congruent with client occupational protocol requirements.

• Performs routine procedures as needed including foreign body removal, suturing, splinting, wound care, etc.

• Provides medical review of surveillance and immunization records for contracted employees, physicians, volunteers and others.

• Assists with Tuberculosis Surveillance and Hepatitis B Immunization programs. Provides Tb testing, inoculations and vaccines for employees.

• Performs return to work assessments and ensures fitness for duty and safe workplace environment.

• Assists with coordination of care, physician referrals, transitional duties, etc.

• Performs history and physical and pre-op exams on patients, with supervisor approval following the accepted standard of practice.

• Transmits information regarding findings to the supervising and attending physician.

• Documents examination in EMR.

• Uses proper lab orders and procedures in treating patients. Ensures proper medications and lab levels to treat the patient according to set protocols. Assists University Physician staff in treatment of scheduled, walk-in, and call in patients.

• Performs periodic physical and follow-up exams under the direction of supervising physician in the Clinic. Enters progress notes on all patients within 24 hours using the EMR to perform clinic notes 100% of the time. Keeps supervising physician informed of patient status (lab, x-ray, etc.).

• Performs routine diagnostic procedures and medical treatments which fall within the normal scope of practice of the Nurse Practitioner and the supervising physician.

• Orders appropriate diagnostic studies and transmits the results as requested by supervising physician.

• Orders routine medications. Supervising physician approval required on Schedule 1 and 2 prescriptions.

• Evaluates effectiveness of patient response to treatment. Documents each patient encounter thoroughly in the EMR.

• Responds in accordance with physician instructions to emergency situations. In the event of a life threatening emergency situation and in the absence of the supervising physician, may initiate appropriate evaluation and treatment.

• Coordinates to ensure adequate supplies, equipment, and inventory for the clinic are available in the exam rooms or storage closet.

• Performs written and verbal orders (including office notes, x-ray, and medication orders), consulting with requesting supervising physician for approval documenting in timely manner as required by University Physicians and University Hospital guidelines. Ensures all medical record notes and orders are completed by the end of the day.

• Schedules routine follow up visits.

• Arranges transfer of patients to and from other facilities in accordance with Cobra laws and University Hospital transfer policies and procedures.

• Works with staff for the treatment and of workers’ compensation cases, ensuring documentation for disability, insurance, and other such forms documentation is completed accurately for the supervising physician.

• Understands and complies with all current laws, rules and regulations which govern the practice of Nurse Practitioners in the State of Georgia and South Carolina (as applicable).

• Maintains current licensure on file to practice Nurse Practitioner duties in the State of Georgia and South Carolina (as applicable). Stays abreast of changes to policies and procedures, guidelines and standards of care. Completes annual competency review/verification as required by University Hospital bylaws.

• Attends 100% mandatory education annually as required.

• Acts promptly according to policy in fire drills, safety, hazardous materials, and utility systems failure. Participates in disaster drills as necessary.

• Maintains professional growth and development through approved seminars, workshops and professional affiliations to keep abreast of latest trends in field of expertise. Maintains annual C ME requirement for Hospital and national PA-C Certification.

• Directs the work of ancillary and/or professional staff assigned to assist in the care of the patient(s). Utilizes appropriate available resources for problem solving.

• The supervising physician may delegate additional duties to the nurse practitioner to be performed in the absence of the supervising physician only after these specific duties have been formally approved by the Department. These additional duties are acts or procedures which are generally recognized as being beyond the usual scope of a nurse practitioners training or experience, and which have an inherently increased risk of morbidity or mortality.

• The Nurse Practitioner shall at all times properly identify herself/himself as a Nurse Practitioner and shall at all times wear a clearly legible identification name tag with the words Nurse Practitioner.

• Attends hospital meetings as requested. Attends conferences and in-service educational offerings in order to meet licensure requirements and as approved to maintain up-to-date clinical expertise.

• Performs other work-related duties as assigned or requested to include industrial off-site visits.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES

• Sound basic knowledge of blood and body fluid post-exposure management protocols, Mantoux testing and Hepatitis B, medical surveillance for safety-sensitive occupations and immunization practices including but not limited to measles and flu.

• Knowledge of emergency procedures for fire, safety, hazardous materials, utility systems failure, and disaster.

• Ability to work with a diverse group of providers and clinicians across the health care continuum and employees of occupational clients (to include skilled, semi-skilled, non-skilled, and professional) as well as occupational client representatives.

• Must possess adequate computer skills in word processing and spreadsheet to manage data collection and written communication.

• Must possess analytical abilities and sound knowledge necessary for the effective formulation of Education/Teaching Plans, Implementation of care, and appropriate documentation of pertinent patient information.

• Ability to perform efficiently and effectively under stress.

• Requires frequent intense concentration and attention to detail 90% of the time to read and document, use equipment and computers, and to prioritize and provide patient care both direct and indirect.

• Philosophy of health care is compatible with that of the mission of the institution.

• Work ethic compatible with that of the University Physicians and University Hospital management and demands of the clinic.

• Ability to maintain patient confidentiality.

• Ability to work interdependently and collaboratively with co-workers and other health care professionals ensuring a high standard of patient care and efficient clinic operations.

• Demonstrated ability to use of diagnostic tests, orders and interprets X-rays, blood tests, EKG's etc.

• Ability to prioritizes activities and adjusts workload for overall clinic efficiency.

• Ability to develop effective working relationships with patients of Client Companies and others (employer representatives, insurance representatives, third-party administrators, specialists, etc.) to allow for appropriate coordination of patient care.

• Ability to communicates clearly and appropriately, in writing and verbally, the patient’s treatment plan, work capabilities, progress and prognosis to Client Company, their workers’ compensation representatives, and others.

Disclaimer

The above information is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.

Qualifications:

MINIMUM EDUCATION REQUIRED:

Masters in Nursing Science – Nurse Practitioner from an accredited school of nursing.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

Two (2) years experience required in the evaluation, diagnosis, care and management of medical emergencies, illnesses and injuries, preferably in Occupational Health.

Basic knowledge of worker's compensation, OSHA, DOT PE rules, ADA, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Physical Examiner (PE), and Department of Public Health (DPH) regulations.

MINIMUM LICENSURE/CERTIFICATION REQUIRED BY LAW:

Current license in State of Georgia as for Advance Practice Registered Nurse Practitioner. Certified as Nurse Practitioner from American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP). Ability to obtain Nurse Practitioner licensure in the State of South Carolina. Must be a Department of Transportation (DOT) Commercial Driver Physical Examiner (PE), Certified or Certifiable at the time of hire or within 90 days of employment.

Drug Enforcement Agency License required. BLS required.

Council for Audiometric Occupational Hearing Conservation (CAOHC) certification preferred. NIOSH Spirometry preferred.

Business Unit : Company Name: Piedmont Augusta Hospital