POSITION SUMMARY:

In a collaborative and multidisciplinary environment, contributes professional and clinical nursing expertise to assigned unit(s) and/or patient populations to ensure the delivery of high quality nursing care. Scope of practice will encompass:

               *Expert clinical practice

*Expert guidance and coaching of patients and families and other healthcare providers

               *Consultation/Collaboration

*Research

               *Leadership (clinical, professional, and systems)

REPORTS TO:See addendum

DESCRIPTION OF WORK:

1. Expert Clinical Practice -Applies advanced clinical skills to care for a select patient population. Maintains expertise in area of practice. Evaluates outcomes and adjusts nursing care practices to ensure optimum delivery of care in a cost-effective manner. Facilitates the coordination and communication of patient care needs across the health care continuum.

If working in a collaborative agreement with a physician, expert clinical practice might additionally require the APN to:

               a.  Obtain an initial history and physical exam.

b.      Report and review pertinent and/or abnormal physical findings to make prospective treatment decisions appropriate for presenting symptomatology.

c.       Initiate and interpret laboratory tests and diagnostic studies according to established protocols and consults with physicians as necessary.

d.      Implement and follow through with specific treatment plans.

2.       Expert Guidance and Coaching   - Designs and manages a comprehensive plan of care for patients and families monitoring all aspects of the therapeutic regimen. Educates patients and families in prescribed treatment plan of care. Educates and guides families to promote wellness and assume responsibility for participation in the management of their own health care. Serves as a resource person for education of health care professionals and the community-at-large to promote health maintenance and disease prevention.

3.       Consultation/Collaboration

Serves as a clinical resource and expert throughout the institution in area of specialty; maintains knowledge of system operations in order to expedite unit needs (e.g. who to contact, best methodology to accomplish desired result). Responds to consultative requests and provides recommendations for clinical/educational/psychosocial interventions as necessary. Collaborates with multidisciplinary care team as needed to optimize quality and delivery of care.

4. Research

In collaboration with multidisciplinary staff, supports research initiatives of the organization    through education, practice, and leadership. Critically evaluates existing practice based on current research findings and integrates changes into practice. Incorporates research findings and quality improvement strategies into clinical practice to improve patient outcomes. 

5.       Leadership

Acts as a professional role model to all levels of staff by incorporating expertise and related experience into all aspects of patient care. Fosters communication between members of multidisciplinary care team. Identifies the need for new programs, assesses potential outcomes and cost/benefits, and makes recommendations for further development, implementation and evaluation. Works with other departments to establish new programs for patient care delivery, assessment and evaluation. Monitors practice patterns for trends in outcomes and resource utilization for patient populations in area of practice. 

PHYSICAL EFFORTS:

Requires moderate sitting, standing and walking.

CONTACTS/CUSTOMERS:

Frequent contacts are with patients, family members, employees, physicians, and peers in a variety of situations on all shifts.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

See addendum

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Hospital environment.

HAZARDS:

Exposure to patient contact and minimal exposure to infectious diseases.

QUALIFICATIONS:

1.       Current Registered Professional Nurse and Certification as an Advanced Practice Nurse inNew Jersey.

2.       Master’s Degree in Nursing.

3.       Ability to apply nursing process toward achievement of specific outcomes in an organized fashion which addresses patient/family satisfaction.

4.       Evidence of excellent interpersonal skills, effective communication skills, and creative problem solving.

5.       Minimum of 3-5 years of clinical nursing practice experience, primarily in area of specialty.

6.       Participation in pertinent professional and/or specialty organizations preferred.

OSHA REQUIREMENTS

OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen Category I

Employees in this job description are expected to have contact with bloodborne pathogens and as such they are required to be oriented and annually trained under the Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s Bloodborne Pathogen Standard (CFR1910.1030).