Nurse Practitioner, Cardiology

Overview

The Nurse Practitioner (NP), Specialty acts as part of the clinical operations team and is responsible for providing specialist patient care in nursing homes, skilled nursing facilities (SNF) and home settings, or supporting a Cardiologist practice. Responsibilities include geriatric assessment, medical history, physical exams, diagnosis and treatment, development of the nursing plan of care, health education, physician referrals, case management referrals, follow-up and documentation according to Chen Med standards for quality, service, productivity and teamwork.

The role includes participation in conferences and documentation through progress notes and summaries. The incumbent must be able to function both independently and in collaboration with other health care professionals and consult with the clinical leadership team to ensure compliance with guidelines. This position may require participation in risk and quality management programs, clinical meetings and other meetings. The NP, Specialty adheres to departmental goals/objectives, standards of performance, regulatory compliance, quality patient care, and policies and procedures.

It functions as a certified nurse practitioner in collaboration with a licensed patient care team physician and practices under a written or electronic practice agreement.

• Independently assesses non-acute clinical problems. Performs and documents physical assessments and patient histories, analyzes trends in patient conditions, and develops, documents and implements a patient management plan. This includes assisting in the development of the nursing plan of care and providing counseling and education to patients and/or families.
• Plans patient care based on in-depth knowledge of the specific patient population and/or protocol, anticipating and identifying physiological and/or psychological problems, and considering the patient’s cultural background, level of understanding, personality and support systems. Serves as patient advocate.
• Patient management includes the following:
  • Writing admission, transfer and discharge orders.
  • Ordering and interpreting appropriate laboratory and diagnostic studies.
  • Ordering of appropriate medications and treatments.
  • Referring patients for consultation when indicated (e.g., dermatology, neurology, ophthalmology, endocrine, surgery, intensive care, infectious disease, hematology, psychiatry, social service, dietary, etc.).
  • Documentation through in-depth progress notes and summaries.
• Participates in patient care rounds and conferences. Communicates patient management strategies to the patient care team and collaborates with the multidisciplinary team to meet patient care needs.
• Recognizes situations requiring immediate physician attention and initiates life-saving procedures when necessary.
• Uses advanced communication skills to problem solve complex situations and improve processes and service to patients.

• Collaborates with other multidisciplinary team members to analyze and evaluate current systems of health care delivery to identify and implement new practice patterns as appropriate.
• Participates in outside activities that enhance personal and professional growth and development.
• Initiates arrangements and writes orders for SNF discharges and completes appropriate paperwork.
• Works collaboratively with medical directors, care teams, case managers, social workers, family and key caregivers to transition the patient to a lower level of care as soon as medically appropriate.
• Introduce self to patient/family and explain nurse practitioner role.
• Facilitate patient/family conferences to review treatment goals, optimize resource utilization, provide family education and identify post-SNF needs.
• Enhance a collaborative relationship to maximize the patient’s/family’s ability to make informed decisions regarding goals of care, palliative care and hospice.
• Facilitates discharge to appropriate level of care and uses preferred providers when additional services are required.
• Prescribe medications to patients based on state practice.
• If dedicated to the Cardiovascular Care Team,…