Nurse Practitioner Resident

This 12-month post-graduate Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) residency provides
additional skills training as well as independent mentorship experience in a
community health center. The intensive clinical program prepares Family Nurse
Practitioners to meet the needs of the culturally diverse and clinically complex
patients who are typical of a community health center practice. Following the
completion of the residency, the resident agrees to work a second year as a
full-time nurse practitioner at the health center.

Responsibilities Include

1. A) Residency Program Objectives:

Clinical Competence

* Work within their professional scope of practice and demonstrate adequate
fund of knowledge in the application of evidence-based medicine. 
* Demonstrate competency by prioritizing acute illness and chronic disease
states appropriately, by correctly ordering diagnostic and screening tests,
and through safe and effective prescribing of pharmacotherapy, treatments,
and procedures.
* Obtain appropriate and relevant history and demonstrate proficient physical
exam skills, provide documentation that is organized, concise, thorough, and
timely, and maintain an appropriate level of efficiency in clinical practice.

Professional Leadership

* Demonstrate dedication to the CHC multidisciplinary model of providing
comprehensive, effective, and compassionate care to all patients, with an
expressed focus on our underserved populations.
* Collaborate effectively with colleagues and other multidisciplinary team
members, including support staff.
* Delegate appropriately so that all team members function at the fullest scope
of their professional practice.
* Provide feedback that is respectful, timely, and constructive.
* Recognize and participate in quality improvement initiatives to improve
health systems.

Cultural Competence

* Provide patient-centered care, recognizing the impact of psychosocial
factors.
* Recognize cultural diversity and include the patient as a full
decision-making partner.
* Provide appropriate, culturally competent, and relevant education and
instruction within the context of the patient’s health literacy and culture,
including anticipatory guidance.

Professional Confidence

* Demonstrate an appropriate level of confidence through commitment to a
working diagnosis and plan of care.
* Reflect on and evaluate clinical progress, strengths, and areas for
improvement.
* Receive and integrate constructive and respectful feedback to continually
improve clinical practice.
* Express needs for professional and clinical growth effectively with
colleagues, including supervisors and support staff.
* Operate as a full member of the care team with all the rights, benefits, and
responsibilities of CHC staff.

1. B) Nurse Practitioner Clinical Responsibilities:

* Assess patient's physical and psychosocial health/illness status through
history taking and physical examination.
* Practices within the collaborative model with physicians, nurse
practitioners, and clinical psychologists
* Diagnoses, manages, and appropriately refers patients with acute, episodic,
or chronic illness according to department protocols.
* Orders appropriate laboratory and diagnostic tests according to established
guidelines.
* Prescribes pharmaceuticals, other medications, and treatment regimens as
appropriate to assessed medical conditions.
* Follows established departmental policies, procedures, and objectives,
continuous quality improvement objectives, and safety, environmental, and/or
infection control standards.
* As appropriate to the position, participates in specified health promotion,
education, and/or prevention programs.
* Ability to observe, assess, and record symptoms, reactions, and progress.
* Ability to maintain and follow quality, safety, and/or infection control
standards.
* Facilitates and coordinates patient care referrals to specialists and outside
agencies.
* Develops and provides educational materials and programs to patients,
families, and other healthcare professionals at the Center.
* May participate in approved medical and/or nursing research.
* Participates in defining nursing standards, practices, and educational needs
of patient care staff. 
* Managing patient care is a team effort that involves clinical and
non-clinical staff interacting with patients.

Requirements and Eligibility

* Applicants must agree to a full-time, 12-month residency and commit to a
second year of full-time employment at their employing health center.
* Applicants must be a citizen of the US or a foreign national with a visa
permitting permanent residency in the US or a non-citizen national.
Individuals on temporary or student visas are not eligible.
* All applicants are required to have go through the full credentialing process
prior to starting clinical sessions. This process can take anywhere from
60-120 days.
* (3) Letters of Recommendation and a Personal Statement will be required.

Education and Experience

* Massachusetts Licensed Registered Nurse required.
* Licensed in Massachusetts to practice in the expanded role as a Family Nurse
Practitioner required.
* Certified in CPR/AED or equivalent.
* Demonstrated mastery of a specialty area or other related field normally
acquired by 3 -5 years of progressively responsible nursing experience
preferred.
* Master’s or Doctoral Degree and board certification as a Family Nurse
Practitioner.
* DEA, MCSR, and NPI # required.