Heart & Vascular CHF Program Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, FT/Days (memorialhermann)

Job Description

At Memorial Hermann, we pursue a common goal of delivering high quality, efficient care while creating exceptional experiences for every member of our community. When we say every member of our community, that includes our employees. We know that when our employees feel cared for, heard and valued, they are inspired to create moments that exceed expectations, while prioritizing safety, compassion, personalization and efficiency. If you want to advance your career and contribute to our vision of creating healthier communities, now and for generations to come, we want you to be a part of our team.

Job Summary

Position responsible for providing comprehensive patient care by systemic assessment, diagnosis, treatment, management, and in-hospital follow up, affecting direct patient care through the disease process according to the Texas Nurse Practice Act and Memorial Hermann Health System Standards of Care.

Job Description

This Nurse Practitioner will support Heart & Vascular and the Congestive Heart Failure Program.

*FT Days / 40 hrs/wk (5x8s); possible alternating weekends & holidays
*ICU RN or NP experience required, CVICU strongly preferred
*May consider New Grad NPs with a strong ICU RN background
*Ability to perform Central & Arterial Lines preferred but will train

*Credentialing process can take 2-3 months

CLINICAL DUTIES:

*Conducts comprehensive assessments of patient’s health status by taking health histories and performing advanced physical examinations for acute heart failure.

*Provides direct clinical care to patients as needed.

*Orders and interprets laboratory and diagnostic tests to establish diagnoses and develop a comprehensive treatment plan on acute heart failure patients. *Orders/prescribes medications, therapies, interventions, and procedures according to clinical privileges.

*Documents in the medical record all care provided and/or procedures performed for which the Advanced Practice Registered Nurse is responsible. *Collaborates with all members of the multidisciplinary team to develop and direct an individualized and comprehensive treatment plan.

*Coordinates the discharge planning process with patients, families, and all members of the multidisciplinary team.

*Consults with other specialties and disciplines as appropriate to meet all health care needs of patients. Rounds with Advance Heart failure physician daily

LEADERSHIP DUTIES:

*Participates in unit/departmental/divisional or hospital committees/task forces and professional organizations.

*Advocates for patients, families, nursing staff and other members of the healthcare community.

*Assists in the development of policies and procedures in clinical area of expertise to establish standards for clinical practice.

*Consults with leadership in the identification, evaluation and problem solving of clinical system and process issues.

*Collaborates with leadership teams to develop, implement, and evaluate strategic plans for quality improvement initiatives, utilizing evidenced based practice guidelines as appropriate.

*Collaborates with physicians to lead changes in clinical practice.

*Participate in service-line specific quality initiatives and development of outcome metrics.

EDUCATION DUTIES:

*Teaches and counsels patients and families in preventive care, medical conditions, plan of care, anticipated outcomes, and the use of prescribed treatments and drugs.

*Develops and participates in programs to meet educational needs of the clinical team related to area of expertise.

*Serves as a role model and preceptor for graduate students.

*Provides formal and informal education to both internal and external groups pertinent to area of expertise.

*Provides formal and informal educational programs to nursing staff graduate students and other healthcare professionals pertinent to specialty area. *Collaborates with system heart failure advance practice providers to provide and promote clinical learning experiences and educational programs for APRNs, PAs, physicians in training and all health care professionals.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Graduate of Nurse Practitioner Program approved by the State of Texas or Graduate of an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Program approved by the State of Texas if area of intended practice is Trauma; Masters of Nursing preferred. Acute Care Nurse Practitioner with at least two (2) years’ experience in palliative care or hospice; or Family Nurse Practitioner with Advanced Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse (ACHPN) certification, or post master’s certificate in Palliative Care required if area of intended practice is Palliative Care/Supportive Medicine.

Licenses/Certifications: 

• Current State of Texas license to practice professional nursing
• Certification by the American Nurse Credentialing Center or National Certification Center in area of specialty or the American Association of Nurse Practitioners or the American Certification of Critical Care Nurses (AACN) Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certification
• Certified in Basic Life Support; current Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) or Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) or Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP)
• Certified in ATLS (Advanced Trauma Life Support) if area of practice is Trauma within 6 months of hire date

Experience/ Knowledge/ Skills: 

• Two (2) years clinical nursing experience in area of intended practice

Principal Accountabilities

• Provides assessment, triage, and therapeutic management of patient/family needs throughout the disease process as an integral part of an interdisciplinary team, according to the age/needs of the patient/population served; acts under the authority and supervision of the attending physician in accordance with regulations, hospital policy, protocols, guidelines and clinical pathways.
• Obtains medical histories; performs physical examinations; reviews/orders diagnostic tests and radiographic results; formulates and manages patient treatment plan and outcomes; provides interventions including, but not limited to, arterial line placement, central line placement (internal jugular or femoral lines), pulmonary artery catheter placement, lumbar puncture, intubations, chest tube removal, and thoracentesis; makes rounds with the interdisciplinary teams.
• Collaborates in the development and evaluation of patient care. Updates clinical guidelines/protocols/ pathways; works autonomously and accepts accountability for outcomes; signs orders in accordance with institution and state board requirements; collaborates in research and teaching projects and applies research to practice. 
• Uses interpersonal and verbal communication skills to educate patient/family on care and resources; participates in process improvement and multidisciplinary clinical outcome improvement activities utilizing advanced nursing expertise.
• Ensures safe care to patients, staff and visitors; adheres to all Memorial Hermann policies, procedures, and standards within budgetary specifications including time management, supply management, productivity and quality of service.
• Promotes individual professional growth and development by meeting requirements for mandatory/continuing education and skills competency; supports department-based goals which contribute to the success of the organization; serves as preceptor, mentor and resource to less experienced staff.
• Demonstrates commitment to caring for every member of our community by creating compassionate and personalized experiences. Models Memorial Hermann’s service standards by providing safe, caring, personalized and efficient experiences to patients and colleagues.
• Other duties as assigned.