The role of the Nurse Practitioner/PA is the application of diagnostic reasoning; specialized psychomotor skills in the performance of procedures, evaluation, consultation; referral to nurses, physicians, and other providers; family assessment; education; and provision for discharge planning or disposition.

Key elements of the role include:
•Advanced clinical expertise
•Development of differential diagnoses
•Use of medical reasoning to formulate the plan of care
•Order and prescription of pharmacological and other therapeutic therapy
•Planning and management of patient care across the acute care continuum
•Utilization and performance of invasive and non-invasive interventions and procedures to promote physiologic stability or obtain diagnostic information
•Surveillance of care
•Accountability and authority for managing patient care outcomes across settings and boundaries
•Advocacy or patient agency
•Clinical leadership
•Managing and negotiating healthcare delivery systems on behalf of the patient and family
•Influencing changes as patients and system needs demand
•Promotion of health
•Providing care with an awareness that each patient is unique

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
•Proactively contributes to Eskenazi Health's mission: Advocate, Care, Teach and Serve with special emphasis on the vulnerable population of Marion County.
•Serves as a resource for all health care providers in the patient care coordination and management outcomes
•Intervenes with patients in areas of expertise to develop appropriate plans of care to achieve optimal patient outcomes
•Impacts patient care indirectly by developing, implementing and evaluating standards of care, clinical practice guidelines, policies and procedures, and through involvement in practice committees
•Coordinates the development of patient management tools (pathways, protocols) based on research findings
•Utilizes principles of performance improvement process to improve patient care
•Maintains a flexible schedule as necessary to meet the needs of patients, staff and system
•May utilize prescriptive authority according to the Indiana statue and institutional guidelines
•Conducts one-on-one patient and family teaching to facilitate adherence to care plan; promotes a positive outcome and develops patient independence
•Develops and implements educational material
•Contributes to the professional literature
•Provides consultative services to health team members and Care Delivery Area Directors.
•Critiques pertinent research literature related to specialty areas and promotes research utilization to improve patient care
•Participates in the conduction of research and clinical trials
•Designs product evaluations and implements the findings with attention to cost-effectiveness
•Participates as an integral member of the leadership team
•Participates in the development, implementation and evaluation of departmental and organizational mission and goals
•Serves as a role model, mentor and change agent for health care providers
•Uses innovative techniques to effectively manage hospital resources to positively impact patient outcomes in a cost-effective manner
•Alters activities/behaviors to reflect/ensure adequate care, maintain age and job-specific competencies appropriate to the age patients served (i.e. adolescent, geriatric, pediatric, neo-natal, adult) described in the area/unit age specific and/or job specific competencies

SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED:
• Ability to assess systems and patients' needs, and function autonomously to develop and implement programs to improve patient care
•Ability to collaborate with other health care team members to enhance patient care across the continuum
•Demonstrates leadership abilities by serving as a mentor to improve patient outcomes
•Ability to conduct product, program and/or process value analyses, including complete financial implications involved in implementation of the product or program
•Ability to review/critique pertinent research literature related to specialty areas and promote research utilization to improve patient care
•Demonstrates excellent communication skills related to team development, group process conflict management and negotiation
•Knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of patients served. Must demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and possess the ability to assess data/interpret appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to age specific needs
•Ability to use age-appropriate and cognitive skills detailed in the department/area/unit job specific/age specific competencies
•Ability to complete the following procedural skills and Critical Care Management*
• 12 Lead ECG interpretation
• Chest X-Ray interpretation
• Spirometry and Peek flow assessment
• Local anesthesia application
• Drain removal
• Laceration repair and suturing
• Wound packing
• Superficial abscess incision and drainage•
• Wound Care

• Chest tube insertion and removal
• Central venous catheter insertion and removal
• Arterial line insertion and removal
• FAST exam

•Graduation from an accredited school of nursing with a Master of Science degree or Physician Assistant Program
•Current Indiana license as a Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant
•Collaborative agreement with affiliated physician group
•Credentialing agreement with Eskenazi Health within 6 months of hire
•Current Indiana Controlled Substance and Drug Enforcement Registration if required by department

• Obtain ATLS within 6 months of hire and maintain throughout employment