Nurse Practitioners

The nephrology nurse practitioner is a mid-level provider who provides care to patients throughout all stages of renal failure. Duties include assessment of health status, physical examination, diagnosis, development and implementation of a treatment plan, and follow-up care and evaluation of the patient. The nephrology nurse practitioner will perform activities in collaboration with the attending nephrologist. The nephrology nurse practitioner will also serve as a mentor, educator, researcher, manager, and collaborator for those involved in the patient’s care.

Job sites include the office, hospital, and dialysis centers.

• Graduate of an accredited Nurse Practitioner program
• Has a current Michigan Registered Nurse and Nurse Practitioner licenses
• Basic Cardiac Life Support Certification
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to function independently
• Experience working with renal patients, ANNA certification, and ACLS strongly desired

The nurse practitioner utilizes the scientific process and national standards of care as a framework for managing patient care. These duties include:

• Obtaining a relevant health and medical history
• Performing a physical examination based on patient needs
• Interpreting diagnostic tests
• Collecting and collaborating with other healthcare professionals and family as indicated (rounds, family meetings, discussions between collaborating providers)
• Evaluating the changing needs of the patient, patient readiness to learn, course of illness, support, and community resources
• Utilizing critical thinking in the diagnostic process
• Synthesizing and analyzing the collected data
• Formulation of a differential diagnosis based on the history, physical examination and diagnostic test results
• Collaboration with the attending nephrologist as necessary

The nurse practitioner, together with the patient, family, and health care team, establishes an evidence-based, mutually acceptable, cost-awareness plan of care that maximizes health potential. Formulation of the treatment plan includes:

• Ordering and interpretation of diagnostic tests
• Prescribing/ordering appropriate pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions
• Adjust dialysis prescription as indicated
• Consulting with nursing staff, physicians and other disciplines on complex patient/facility care issues
• Developing protocols with dialysis and office staff as indicated
• Removing sutures, staples, invasive lines as indicated
• Accurate documentation of patient status and care in the medical record

• Determining the effectiveness of the treatment plan with documentation and evaluation of patient care outcomes
• Reassessing and modifying the plan with the patient, family, and healthcare team as necessary to achieve health and medical goals
• Participation in quality assurance review
• Support research by developing research questions, participating in research, and incorporating research findings into practice
• Serve as mentor, educator, and consultant to patient, families, and other health professionals
• Interpret the role of the nurse practitioner to those involved in patient care
• Maintenance of current knowledge by attending continuing education programs
• Maintenance of certification and license requirements in accordance with the current state and board certifying agencies