Nurse Practitioner (APRN-NP)

Position Summary

All positions of PPHD will work to support the PPHD mission of "Working together to improve the health, safety, and quality of life for all who live, learn, work and play in the Panhandle." This position will support the implementation of PPHD strategic plan objectives through collaboration with partners and the community, a commitment to Community Health Improvement, dedication to implementing evidence-based practices, and implementation of the standards and measures of PHAB accreditation. The Nurse Practitioner provides high-quality, evidence-based clinical services through PPHD’s Maternal & Family Health Mobile Unit and other Maternal & Family Health initiatives as assigned. This position provides assessment, education, preventive care, diagnosis, treatment, referral, and follow-up services within the professional scope of practice and in accordance with established PPHD policies, procedures, and clinical protocols. This position works collaboratively with all PPHD’s staff, healthcare partners, and community organizations to support safe, coordinated, patient-centered services that respond to identified community needs and improve access to care throughout the Nebraska Panhandle.

Essential Duties

The Nurse Practitioner will perform the following essential functions within the framework of Panhandle Public Health District’s provision of the core functions and essential services of public health: Provide clinical services to individuals and families served through the Maternal & Family Health Mobile Unit, with an emphasis on maternal, infant, child, and family health and other identified community health needs. Participate in the planning, development, implementation, and ongoing refinement of PPHD’s Maternal & Family Health Mobile Unit. Provide clinical expertise and recommendations to help develop mobile unit services, clinical workflows, policies, procedures, protocols, standing orders, referral pathways, equipment needs, and safety processes. Collaborate with PPHD staff, healthcare providers, and community partners to help identify services that respond to community needs and gaps in access to care. Conduct comprehensive and focused health assessments across the lifespan, as appropriate to the Nurse Practitioner’s education, certification, scope of practice, and services available through the mobile unit. Diagnose and manage acute and chronic health conditions appropriate to the setting and within the Nurse Practitioner’s education, training, certification, and scope of practice. Provide preventive and wellness services, health screenings, education, and early intervention based on approved mobile unit services and identified community needs. Provide prenatal, postpartum, and women’s health assessment, education, screening, support, treatment, and appropriate referral within scope of practice. Provide infant, pediatric, and family health services, including preventive care, health and developmental screening, education, treatment, and appropriate follow-up within scope of practice. Provide appropriate clinical services to other individuals accessing the mobile unit when services fall within the approved scope of mobile unit services and the Nurse Practitioner’s scope of practice. Order, perform, and interpret appropriate diagnostic tests and screenings and prescribe medications and treatments in accordance with applicable laws, scope of practice, and established protocols. Identify individuals requiring services beyond PPHD or mobile unit capabilities and facilitate timely referral or connection to appropriate healthcare, behavioral health, dental, emergency, or community-based services. Provide patient and family education that supports prevention, health promotion, informed decision-making, healthy pregnancy and postpartum outcomes, child development, chronic disease management, and overall health and wellness. Collaborate with patients’ established healthcare providers, when appropriate, to support continuity and coordination of care and reduce unnecessary duplication of services. Maintain accurate, timely, and complete clinical documentation within PPHD’s designated electronic health record and other required clinical or program tracking systems. Ensure appropriate follow-up of clinical findings, screenings, laboratory results, referrals, and other identified patient needs. Respond appropriately to urgent or emergent clinical situations and follow established emergency procedures. Collaborate with the Mobile Unit Operational Coordinator and other Maternal & Family Health staff to support safe, organized, and efficient mobile unit deployment and service delivery. Provide clinical input regarding medications, clinical equipment and supplies, infection prevention, emergency preparedness, and other requirements necessary for safe clinical services. Participate in the development, review, and implementation of clinical policies, procedures, workflows, protocols, and quality assurance processes. Participate in orientation and training related to clinical workflows, patient safety, infection prevention, emergency response, and appropriate use of clinical equipment. Build and maintain effective working relationships with healthcare providers, hospitals, clinics, community organizations, host sites, and other partners involved in mobile health and maternal and family health services. Participate in planning and continuous quality improvement activities to identify service gaps, address barriers to care, evaluate outcomes, and strengthen service delivery. Contribute clinical expertise regarding services offered, referral pathways, equipment and supplies, partnerships, service locations, and other aspects of mobile unit development based on identified community needs. Support community outreach, health education, and Maternal & Family Health activities as appropriate. Actively participate in Performance Management and Quality Improvement activities. Participate in PPHD and community emergency response training and drills in support of public health emergency and disaster preparedness. Contribute to and participate in the implementation of the strategic plan as assigned. Contribute to the development of program goals and objectives. Assumes responsibility for own professional growth and development by pursuing education, participating in professional committees and work groups, and contributing to a work environment where continual improvements in practice are pursued. Performs other duties as assigned. Compliance with all PPHD personnel policies and procedures. Follows and adheres to all HIPAA and PPHD confidentiality and privacy policies and practices.

Minimum Qualifications

Master’s or doctoral degree from an accredited Nurse Practitioner program required. Current, unrestricted Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) license with Nurse Practitioner designation in the State of Nebraska, or eligibility to obtain Nebraska licensure, required. Current national Nurse Practitioner certification required. Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) certification preferred due to the broad, lifespan-focused services anticipated through the mobile unit. Current prescriptive authority and ability to prescribe in accordance with applicable Nebraska and federal requirements. Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required or must be obtained following employment within a timeframe established by PPHD. Additional certifications may be required based on services provided through the mobile unit. Experience in primary care, family health, women’s health, maternal health, pediatrics, rural health, public health, community health, or a related clinical setting preferred. Experience providing care in rural, community-based, mobile, or underserved settings preferred. Strong clinical judgment, organizational, documentation, interpersonal communication, and computer and technology skills are essential. Must demonstrate cultural competence and the ability to provide respectful, patient-centered care to individuals and families from a variety of backgrounds. Must be able to work independently within professional scope of practice while effectively collaborating as part of a multidisciplinary team. Valid driver’s license, current certificate of vehicle insurance, and ability to travel extensively to assigned work locations throughout the Nebraska Panhandle. Must be willing and able to complete required training related to mobile unit operations, clinical safety, emergency procedures, equipment, and other duties of the position.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

This position will require the following knowledge, skills, and abilities: Strong clinical assessment, examination, diagnostic reasoning, treatment planning, patient education, and referral skills. Knowledge of evidence-based primary, preventive, maternal, pediatric, and family healthcare practices appropriate to professional scope of practice. Ability to provide clinical services to individuals across the lifespan within professional scope of practice. Ability to contribute clinical expertise to the development and implementation of new and evolving maternal and family health services. Ability to make sound clinical decisions independently and recognize situations requiring consultation, referral, emergency intervention, or a higher level of care. Knowledge of clinical policies, procedures, standing orders, documentation requirements, infection prevention, medication safety, confidentiality, informed consent, and emergency preparedness. Ability to coordinate and prioritize patient care while maintaining safe and efficient service delivery. Proficient computer and technology skills, including the ability to use electronic health records, electronic documentation systems, telehealth technology, email, and other software and technology necessary for service delivery. Ability to learn and effectively use clinical equipment, diagnostic tools, and technology utilized w