ER Nurse Practitioner (NP) or Physician Assistant (PA)

Firelands Health•Sandusky, OH

About The Position

The Emergency Department Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant (ER NP/PA) provides comprehensive, timely, and evidence-based care to patients presenting to the Emergency Department with acute illnesses, injuries, and other emergent or urgent medical conditions. Working collaboratively with emergency physicians, nursing staff, and other healthcare team members, the ER NP/PA assesses patients, develops treatment plans, orders and interprets diagnostic studies, initiates appropriate interventions, and coordinates patient disposition. The role includes obtaining patient histories and performing physical examinations; diagnosing and managing emergency conditions within the provider’s scope of practice; establishing differential diagnoses; ordering, performing when authorized, and interpreting diagnostic tests; prescribing medications and treatments; and performing approved procedures within demonstrated competency and granted privileges. The ER NP/PA recognizes patients needing immediate intervention, escalation, consultation, or transfer and helps determine whether patients should be discharged, observed, admitted, or transferred. The position also involves coordinating care and transitions, communicating clinical findings and changes in patient condition, educating patients and families, and supporting Emergency Department throughput. The provider maintains accurate electronic health record documentation, complies with applicable laws and organizational requirements, participates in quality and review activities as assigned, and maintains required licensure, certifications, education, and clinical competencies. Professional duties include contributing to department meetings and improvement initiatives, maintaining confidentiality, and performing other related duties consistent with the position’s scope and qualifications.

Requirements

For the PA role: Graduate of a Physician Assistant program certified by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA).
For the PA role: Licensed and in good standing in the State of Ohio.
For the PA role: National certification (PA-C) and a DEA number or eligibility for one.
For the NP role: Master’s-level Nurse Practitioner preparation with a focus on Emergency Room medicine.
For the NP role: Current Nurse Practitioner license in good standing in the State of Ohio; Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP) or Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner (CRNP) required.
Current Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS), and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certifications.
At least five years of APP experience in emergency medicine or another relevant clinical setting.
Demonstrated experience with emergency procedures, acute diagnostic evaluation, and management of patients with complex or time-sensitive conditions.
Knowledge of emergency medicine standards, evidence-based clinical guidelines, and Emergency Department workflows.
Experience with electronic health records and interdisciplinary care coordination.
Ability to remain focused and observant when evaluating and treating patients.
Ability to evaluate patient symptoms and administer appropriate treatments.
Diligence in investigating complicated medical issues to determine the best course of treatment for each patient.

Responsibilities

Obtain comprehensive and focused patient histories and perform physical examinations.
Assess, diagnose, and manage acute illnesses, injuries, and other emergency medical conditions within scope of practice.
Establish differential diagnoses and develop treatment and management plans.
Order, perform as authorized, and interpret laboratory studies, imaging, electrocardiograms, and other diagnostic tests.
Prescribe medications and treatments in accordance with applicable laws, prescriptive authority, and hospital policies.
Perform approved procedures within demonstrated competency and granted clinical privileges.
Recognize patients requiring immediate intervention, escalation of care, specialist consultation, or transfer.
Initiate emergency interventions appropriate to training, competency, and assigned responsibilities.
Determine patient disposition, including discharge, observation, admission, or transfer, in collaboration with a supervising or collaborating physician as required.
Collaborate with emergency physicians and the healthcare delivery team to coordinate patient care.
Communicate clinical findings, treatment plans, and changes in patient condition effectively.
Educate patients and families about diagnoses, treatment, medications, discharge instructions, and follow-up care.
Coordinate referrals, consultations, and transitions of care to support continuity and patient safety.
Support efficient Emergency Department operations, patient throughput, and timely disposition.
Complete accurate, timely, and thorough documentation in the electronic health record.
Comply with applicable laws, Ohio Board of Nursing requirements, prescribing regulations, hospital bylaws, credentialing and privileging requirements, and organizational policies.
Participate in peer review, clinical documentation improvement, utilization review, and quality improvement activities as assigned.
Maintain required licensure, certifications, continuing education, and clinical competencies.
Demonstrate professionalism, sound clinical judgment, accountability, and effective communication.
Participate in department meetings, staff education, and interdisciplinary initiatives as appropriate.
Identify opportunities to improve clinical processes, patient experience, and operational efficiency.
Maintain confidentiality and adhere to organizational standards of conduct.
Perform other related duties consistent with the position’s scope and qualifications.