Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant

Description

Positive Impact Health Centers (PIHC) is a community leader in providing HIV prevention, care and treatment services. The PIHC model of care assures that persons with HIV have access to medical, pharmacy, dental, behavioral health and social services, providing the best opportunity for patients to achieve high-quality health outcomes.

The Nurse Practitioner (NP) or Physician Assistant (PA) will provide specialty assessment, diagnosis, and treatment for sexually transmitted infections (STI) including syphilis, gonorrhea, and Chlamydia. The NP/PA will provide HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to persons at risk for HIV infection. The NP/PA will provide primary care and HIV specialty care for patients living with HIV infection/AIDS. The NP/PA will provide direct services to patients with the support of the registered nurses, medical assistants, phlebotomists, heath educators and case managers.

The Assistant Director of Clinical Care Department administratively supervises the NP/PA position. All clinical staff provide care per Standard Operating Procedures and protocols set by the Medical Director. The NP/PA works collaboratively across PIHC Clinical Care and Prevention Departments.

• Performs specialized assessment, diagnosis, and treatment services for persons presenting for STI screening and treatment utilizing appropriate protocols and guidelines as established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Georgia State Department of Public Health for the diagnosis and treatment of STIs
• Elicits health histories related to sexual activity and presenting symptoms (i.e., previous STI’s, HIV status, potential exposure to STI through sexual contact, pregnancy, contraceptive history, allergies, contraindications to treatment, etc.)
• Uses laboratory test results and clinical assessment to determine type and stage of STI and to administer or oversee administration of appropriate treatment
• Orders appropriate immunizations. Specifically, counsels and orders hepatitis A and B vaccines to eligible clients based on hepatitis A and B laboratory screening results
• Performs one‑on‑one education specific to HIV/STI and other communicable diseases to persons at high‑risk for infections
• Provides information to patients regarding their infection and instructions regarding medication treatment and test‑for‑cure
• Meets with persons at risk for HIV infection to assess for the appropriateness of starting/continuing PrEP; prescribes PrEP for eligible persons; meets with those on PrEP to review labs and update prescription

• Conducts initial medical evaluations of patients with HIV infection for entry into HIV care, including:
• Takes an HIV history
• Conducts a medical history
• Orders initial laboratory testing for HIV‑infected patients
• Counsels client on antiretroviral therapy (ART)
• Initiates ART for eligible patients
• Conducts follow‑up visits for patients infected with HIV to assess medication adherence and side effects, other medical needs, and to review labs results
• Educates patients and/or families about preventive care, medical issues, and use of prescribed medical treatments and/or medications
• Offers prophylaxis and treatment for opportunistic infections and other illnesses
• Performs comprehensive physical exams of HIV‑infected patients
• Orders appropriate follow‑up visits and laboratory testing for patients after comprehensive exam visit
• Makes appropriate specialty care referrals for patients as needed

• Attends monthly staff and team meetings
• Attends case discussion with Medical Director and other providers weekly as scheduled
• Maintains accurate and confidential medical records. Documents all medical evaluations, diagnoses, procedures, treatment, outcomes, education, referrals, and consultations consistent with PIHC policies and procedures
• Maintains continuing education requirements for licensure and national certification
• Analyzes new knowledge gained from conferences, workshops, professional literature, or "hands‑on training" and assimilates this knowledge into clinical practice
• May travel to other PIHC…