JOB TITLE: CERTIFIED REGISTERED NURSE PRACTITIONER (LOCAL GOVERNMENT)

JOB CODE: L1175

DEFINITION: This is advanced professional nursing work in the medical care and treatment of individuals at a local government agency, which includes acts of medical diagnosis or prescription of therapeutic or corrective measures in collaboration with and under the direction of a physician licensed to practice medicine in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

An employee in this job provides healthcare services, including medical diagnosis, prescription of therapeutic measures, promotion and maintenance of health, prevention of illness and disability, care during phases of illness, injury recovery, guidance and counseling to individuals and families, and referral to other healthcare providers and community resources. Work is received in the form of oral and written instructions, standing orders, and protocols and is performed under the direction of a licensed physician through a written collaborative agreement. Supervision of medically related activities is received from a licensed physician who reviews work through conferences, record audits, and reports for effectiveness, compliance with standards, and adherence to the Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner regulations and advanced nursing practices. General supervision is received from a program administrator.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: (NOTE: The examples of work are representative of the work, but every position classified to this job may not perform all examples of work listed. Conversely, this is not an all-inclusive list of work examples.)

• Performs comprehensive assessments of individuals and establishes medical diagnoses.

• Develops individualized health profiles by collecting health history and developmental information and conducting physical exams.

• Orders, analyzes, and evaluates diagnostic tests and interprets medical diagnoses in accordance with established medical protocols.

• Develops, orders, and evaluates comprehensive primary medical treatment plans and initiates adjustments and corrections.

• Prescribes medications based on clinical indicators to improve health status and treat symptoms and underlying causes of disorders.

• Identifies, measures, and monitors clinical and related outcomes to determine the effectiveness and appropriateness of the treatment plan.

• Implements medical treatments as prescribed, such as oxygen therapy and intravenous administration.

• Performs a variety of minor procedures, such as suturing, splinting, and casting.

• Evaluates an individual's ability to perform self-care tasks and provides counseling on illness, disability, medication, tests, and treatment procedures to individuals and their support teams.

• Refers individuals to appropriate healthcare providers for more specialized care and collaborates with other health care disciplines to ensure continuity of care.

• Conducts thorough psychiatric assessments, which includes evaluating mental health, history of violence, suicidal or self-harm, substance abuse, functioning level, health and trauma history, sexual behavior, and social and developmental background.

• Develops individual treatment plans in conjunction with a multi-disciplinary treatment team.

• Assists residents and employees during on-site emergencies.

• Initiates and updates progress notes, discharge summaries, and other related reports.

• Performs related duties as required.

ENTRY LEVEL KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED

• Knowledge of the theories and practices of advanced professional nursing.

• Knowledge of the theories and practices of preventive health care.

• Knowledge of disease and disorder processes and their signs and symptoms.

• Knowledge of techniques used in the performance of physical examinations.

• Knowledge of techniques used to establish, monitor, and evaluate medical treatment plans.

• Knowledge of the theories and practices of advanced pharmacology.

• Ability to analyze and interpret laboratory and diagnostic tests.

• Ability to analyze and interpret written and numerical information.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

• Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

• Ability to communicate effectively orally.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Possession of a valid certification as a Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner (CRNP) issued by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing.

• Certain employees in this job may require possession of a valid CRNP certification in a specific specialty area as required by the appointing agency.

• Certain employees in this job are required to obtain and maintain valid CRNP Prescriptive Authority Approval to prescribe and dispense drugs as issued by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing.