Certified Nurse Practitioner

DHRM•Staunton, VA

About The Position

The Certified Nurse Practitioner provides patient care in a Virginia Department of Health clinical setting, with ready on-site access to a physician for guidance and oversight. The role includes conducting examinations, ordering diagnostic tests, prescribing controlled substances and oral daily PrEP, making clinical assessments, developing care plans, providing medication and case management, and arranging referrals. The position requires licensure as a Certified Nurse Practitioner under state code. The role supports public health priorities through direct patient care, prevention education, immunization services, mobile-unit events, harm-reduction programming, and PrEP follow-up. It also contributes to clinical quality assurance, policy and procedure development, chart reviews, program planning, community assessment, and other agency activities. Performance is measured in part through opioid-abatement metrics, including prevention education, services for pregnant or nursing people with substance use disorders, services for other adults with substance use disorders, and other harm-reduction efforts. Work may include travel for mobile-unit and community events, with extended hours and variable schedules based on program needs. The position may be required to adjust work hours, location, duties, and training to meet public-health needs, including emergencies. If designated as a mobile worker, duties may include field work and telework at an alternate location, with periodic attendance at the assigned office for meetings or training. The posting includes specific conditions for wage employees: employment is at the appointing authority’s will and pleasure, continuing employment depends on funding and business need, employees are paid only for hours worked, and work is limited by applicable state hour caps. Wage employees are not eligible for benefits provided to salaried employees.

Requirements

Knowledge of clinical medicine and clinical skills in pediatrics, family planning, gynecological services, STI services, and adult health services.
Knowledge of nursing, physical examination techniques and findings, disease states, diagnostic testing and its limitations, and pharmacology.
Skills in interviewing, counseling, and effective written and verbal communication.
Ability to perform and interpret physical assessments, obtain medical histories, perform or interpret diagnostic testing, formulate differential diagnoses and care plans, and provide health education.
Ability to work independently, solve problems, and work effectively with others in a team environment.
Current CPR/BLS certification.
Licensure as a Certified Nurse Practitioner under state code.
Health-care personnel must provide documentation of immunization or evidence of immunity to hepatitis B, measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella; documentation of Tdap vaccination and required boosters; and the current seasonal influenza vaccination.

Nice To Haves

Prior public health or community health experience.

Responsibilities

Conduct physical examinations and obtain health histories in a Health Department clinical setting, within the nurse practitioner scope of practice and applicable guidelines.
Review medical records; interview patients or their parents or guardians; obtain medical, social, and family histories; document current complaints and perform systems reviews.
Perform physical examinations using appropriate equipment and protocols; interpret laboratory and other diagnostic results as appropriate to clinical findings.
Document examination, laboratory, and diagnostic findings using CDC-format documentation and applicable VDH clinic forms, supporting prescribed or recommended interventions.
Develop and document care plans, determine treatment and follow-up, and make appropriate referrals for disease management, prevention, and health promotion.
Incorporate preventive, population-based public health strategies and educational components into patient interactions, including education about disease processes, health habits, and risk reduction.
Order supplies for the Mobile Unit and coordinate mobile-unit events with community partners.
Provide programmatic assistance for harm-reduction programs involving the Mobile Unit; facilitate Point of Contact Testing and conventional testing on the unit as needed.
Support data collection and entry for grant management purposes.
Initiate prescriptions for oral daily PrEP and provide routine follow-up and screening for PrEP clients.
Educate clients and parents about vaccine-preventable diseases and recommended immunization schedules, and provide current vaccine information statements.
Assess clients for foreign-travel vaccinations and submit assessments to the district health director for recommendations; administer travel vaccinations according to those recommendations.
Administer post-exposure prophylaxis as directed by the district health director; assess high-risk patients for indicated immunizations; administer vaccines on the unit or refer clients to the local health department.
Participate in quality assurance and improvement activities; provide input on clinical and nursing policies and procedures; collaborate with the clinic team to evaluate efficiency and patient care; conduct quarterly chart reviews.
Serve as a role model for clinic staff and work with management to plan, prioritize, and implement public health programs.
Participate in strategic planning, research, investigative activities, and community assessments to prioritize public health issues and develop interventions.
Support alignment of clinical services with health department and agency missions, priorities, and goals.
Perform other duties as assigned and, when required, assist the agency or state government during an emergency declaration.