Certified Nurse Practitioner

Virginia Information Technologies Agency•Staunton, VA

2d•$51 - $55

About The Position

The Certified Nurse Practitioner provides patient care in a Health Department clinical setting, with ready on-site access to a physician for guidance and oversight. The role performs physical examinations, orders diagnostic tests, prescribes controlled substances, and may conduct or direct nursing assessments and laboratory tests. It also includes taking measurements, developing and implementing care plans, administering medication, and case management. Duties require licensure as a Certified Nurse Practitioner under state code. The position supports public health priorities and Opioid Abatement efforts, including prevention education, services for pregnant or nursing people with substance use disorders, services for non-incarcerated adults with substance use disorders, and other harm-reduction efforts. The role also supports mobile-unit activities, PrEP services, immunizations, quality assurance, and professional leadership. Travel for mobile-unit work may involve extended hours and variable schedules based on program needs. The position may be required to perform other assigned duties or assist state government during a gubernatorial emergency declaration. VDH may adjust work hours, location, and duties and require training to meet public health business needs. If designated as a mobile worker, the role may involve field work and teleworking from an alternate location, with periodic attendance at the assigned office for meetings or training. Health-care personnel must provide documentation of immunization or immunity for hepatitis B, measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella; a Tdap dose and boosters every 10 years; and the current season’s influenza vaccination. Employment is contingent on satisfactory background and other required checks. The posting describes wage-employee conditions, including pay only for hours worked, an average limit of 29 hours per week over a year, and a 1,500-hour limit during the May 1–April 30 standard measurement period. 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, sexually transmitted infection services, and adult health services.
Knowledge of nursing, physical examination techniques and normal and pathological 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 and/or interpret diagnostic testing, formulate differential diagnoses and plans of care, and provide health education to clients.
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 is required for the clinical actions performed at this level.
Health-care personnel must provide required immunization or immunity documentation for hepatitis B, measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella; Tdap; and current seasonal influenza.

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 recommended guidelines.
Review available medical records; interview patients or their parent/guardian; obtain relevant medical, social, and family history and a full account of the current complaint; and perform systems reviews and physical examinations using appropriate equipment and protocols.
Interpret laboratory and other diagnostic results in relation to physical findings.
Document clinical examination and test findings using CDC-format documentation and appropriate VDH clinic-program forms, supporting prescribed or recommended interventions.
Develop and document a plan of care based on the history, examination, and available information; determine treatment and follow-up according to established guidelines and standards of practice.
Ensure appropriate referrals for disease management, prevention, and health promotion.
Apply a preventive, population-based public health focus and district public health strategies and policies to address community health priorities and support the agency mission.
Provide preventive education, teach patients about healthy habits, disease processes, and risk reduction, and use available written handouts and teaching materials.
Order supplies for the Mobile Unit as needed.
Coordinate with community partners to organize mobile-unit events and provide programmatic assistance for mobile-unit harm-reduction programs.
Facilitate point-of-contact and conventional testing on the mobile unit as needed.
Support data collection and entry for grant management.
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 recommended foreign-travel vaccinations and post-exposure prophylaxis as directed.
Assess high-risk patients for age-indicated immunizations and administer vaccines on the unit or refer clients to a local health department appointment.
Participate in quality assurance and improvement to support quality, efficiency, and effectiveness of services.
Provide input on clinical and nursing policies and procedures to keep them current and compliant with practice standards, agency and program policies, guidelines, and applicable laws.
Work with the clinic team to evaluate clinic efficiency, effectiveness, and customer-oriented patient care; conduct quarterly chart reviews for accuracy and adherence to clinical guidelines and care standards.
Serve as a role model for clinic staff in supporting mission-driven initiatives and activities.
Work with the management team to plan, prioritize, and implement public health programs to improve community health status.
Participate in strategic planning, research, investigative activities, and community assessments to prioritize public health issues and develop intervention strategies.
Support alignment of clinical services with health department and agency missions, priorities, and goals.
Perform other duties as assigned and, if required, assist the agency or state government during an emergency declaration; adjust work hours, location, or duties and participate in training as needed.
If designated as a mobile worker, work in the field and telework from an alternate location when not in the field or during an emergency closing, and periodically attend meetings or training at the assigned office.