APP: NP/PA - Inpatient Gastroenterology and Transplant Hepatology (GI/Liver)

A Brief Overview The Nurse Practitioner (NP) functions under this Nurse Practitioner Job Description approved by the Interdisciplinary Practice Committee (IDPC).

The NP provides routine are and management of the patient with acute and chronic complaints, in collaboration with the supervising physician, and through implementation of standardized procedures.

Specific functions pertaining to the Service, Clinic or Department are established by the NP and his/her supervising physician(s), and approved by the appropriate medical and nursing administrators, the IDPC, the Credentials & Privileges Committee, the Stanford Hospital and Clinics (SHC) Medical Executive Committee and the SHC Board Credentials, Policies and Procedures Committee.

This job description covers all classifications for NPs within the organization.

All NPs must meet all elements of the Essential Functions, Qualifications, and Supervision.

There is a voluntary Career Ladder for NPs who are interested in promotions for clinical expertise and contributions to the institution as well as the profession.

Promotion is determined based on the Center for Advanced Practice Career Ladder Handbook.

Here is a description of the various levels: Job Attributes: LEVEL I LEVEL II LEVEL III FLSA Status: Exempt Exempt Exempt Job Code: 400077 400169 400170 Requirement: LEVEL I: Entry level LEVEL II: Meets Career Ladder criteria for NP II LEVEL III: Meets Career Ladder criteria for NP III

What you will do

A. An NP may provide only those medical services which he/she is competent to perform, which are consistent with the NP’s education, training and experience, and which are performed under the supervision of a physician who is responsible for the patients cared for by that NP.

B. An NP shall consult with a physician regarding any task, procedure or diagnostic problem which the NP determines exceeds his/her level of competence or shall refer such cases to a collaborating physician.

C. Scope of Practice of the NP:

Evaluates and treats patients with acute, chronic complaints and health maintenance concerns related to specialty, according to written standardized procedures. [see Appendix A: Assessment & Management of Patients]

Obtains complete histories and performs pertinent physical exams with assessment of normal and abnormal findings on new and return patients, according to written standardized procedures. [see Appendix A Assessment & Management of Patients]

Performs or requests and evaluates diagnostic studies as indicated upon evaluation of the patient, according to written standardized procedures. [see Appendix A: Assessment & Management of Patients]

Administers, orders, furnishes and prescribes medications, according to written standardized procedures. [see Appendix B : Administering, Ordering, Furnishing or Prescribing of Drugs; Formulary Protocol]

Orders and collects specimens for routine laboratory tests, screening procedures and therapeutic procedures, including blood and blood products.

Orders physical therapy, occupational therapy, respiratory therapy, radiology examinations and nursing services.

Performs designated procedures after demonstrated competency, according to written standardized procedures where applicable.

Obtains informed consent, as indicated.

Initiates arrangements for hospital admissions and discharges and completes appropriate paperwork.

As directed by the supervising physician, enrolls patients in investigational studies approved by the Investigational Review Board (IRB), and orders the necessary tests and medications. [see Appendix B: Administering, Ordering, Furnishing or Prescribing of Drugs; Formulary Protocol] Medications that are not FDA-approved or are used for a non-FDA-approved indication (off-label use) require a patient-specific order in advance from the supervising physician.

After appropriate training, assists the supervising physician in the operating room. The RN First Assistant directly assists the surgeon and practices under the supervision of the surgeon during the intraoperative phase. The RN First Assistant must adhere to standardized procedures and not concurrently function as a scrub nurse.

Recognizes and considers age-specific needs of patients.

Effectively communicates and interacts with patients, families, staff and members of the community from diverse backgrounds.

Recognizes situations which require the immediate attention of a physician, and initiates life-saving procedures when necessary.

Facilitates the coordination of inpatient and outpatient care and services as needed.

Facilitates collaboration between providers and coordination of community resources.

Ensures compliance with legal, regulatory and clinical policies and procedures.

Participates in quality improvement initiatives.

Provides and coordinates patient teaching and counseling.

Other duties as assigned.

Education Qualifications

Master’s or Doctoral degree in nursing from an accredited college or university.

Note: NPs hired prior to March 1, 2012 are not subject to this educational requirement.

Graduate of an NP program accredited by the National League of Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).