JOB SUMMARY: The Nurse Practitioner (NP) or Physician Assistant (PA) will provide specialty assessment, diagnosis, and treatment for sexually transmitted infections (STI) including syphilis, gonorrhea, and Chlamydia. The NP/PA will provide HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to persons at risk for HIV infection. The NP/PA will provide primary care and HIV specialty care for patients living with HIV infection/AIDS. The NP/PA will provide direct services to patients with the support of the registered nurses, medical assistants, phlebotomists, heath educators and case managers. The Assistant Director of Clinical Care Department administratively supervises the NP/PA position. All clinical staff provide care per Standard Operating Procedures and protocols set by the Medical Director. The NP/PA works collaboratively across PIHC Clinical Care and Prevention Departments.
This position description should not be interpreted as all inclusive. It is intended to identify the major responsibilities and requirements of this position. The incumbents may be requested to perform job-related responsibilities and tasks other than those stated in this position description.
Requirements
Duties and Responsibilities
PrEP Services Duties
• Performs specialized assessment, diagnosis, and treatment services for persons presenting for STI screening and treatment utilizing appropriate protocols and guidelines as established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Georgia State Department of Public Health for the diagnosis and treatment of STIs
• Elicits health histories related to sexual activity and presenting symptoms (i.e., previous STI's, HIV status, potential exposure to STI through sexual contact, pregnancy, contraceptive history, allergies, contraindications to treatment, etc.)
• Uses laboratory test results and clinical assessment to determine type and stage of STI and to administer or oversee administration of appropriate treatment
• Orders appropriate immunizations. Specifically, counsels and orders hepatitis A and B vaccines to eligible clients based on hepatitis A and B laboratory screening results
• Performs one-on-one education specific to HIV/STI and other communicable diseases to persons at high-risk for infections
• Provides information to patients regarding their infection and instructions regarding medication treatment and test-for-cure
• Meets with persons at risk for HIV infection to assess for the appropriateness of starting/continuing PrEP; prescribes PrEP for eligible persons; meets with those on PrEP to review labs and update prescription
HIV Care Duties
• Conducts initial medical evaluations of patients with HIV infection for entry into HIV care, including:
o Takes an HIV history
o Conducts a medical history
o Orders initial laboratory testing for HIV-infected patients
o Counsels client on antiretroviral therapy (ART)
o Initiates ART for eligible patients
• Conducts follow-up visits for patients infected with HIV to assess medication adherence and side effects, other medical needs, and to review labs results
• Educates patients and/or families about preventive care, medical issues, and use of prescribed medical treatments and/or medications
• Offers prophylaxis and treatment for opportunistic infections and other illnesses
• Performs comprehensive physical exams of HIV-infected patients
• Orders appropriate follow-up visits and laboratory testing for patients after comprehensive exam visit
• Makes appropriate specialty care referrals for patients as needed
General Duties
• Attends monthly staff and team meetings
• Attends case discussion with Medical Director and other providers weekly as scheduled
• Maintains accurate and confidential medical records. Documents all medical evaluations, diagnoses, procedures, treatment, outcomes, education, referrals, and consultations consistent with PIHC policies and procedures
• Maintains continuing education requirements for licensure and national certification
• Analyzes new knowledge gained from conferences, workshops, professional literature, or "hands-on training" and assimilates this knowledge into clinical practice
• May travel to other PIHC locations including Decatur, Marietta and Covington, if coverage is needed.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• A self-starter with the ability to multi-task
• Electronic Medical Record system knowledge preferred
• Possess excellent communication skills (writing, spelling, listening and speaking)
• Cooperates as a team member
• Possesses problem solving and decision-making abilities
• Ability to work without close supervision
• Utilizes good management techniques
• Follows through to completion of assigned tasks
• Proficiency in word processing, spreadsheet database and presentation software
• Abides by all policies and procedures concerning personnel including conflict of interest policy
Minimum Qualifications
• Master's Degree in Nursing (or higher) or Physician Assistant Degree/Program from accredited college or university
Experience:
• Preference for at least 2-5 years of experience as NP/PA in clinical setting
License/Licensure:
• Georgia Licensed NP or PA.
Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to walk, use hands to finger, handle, or operate computers, objects, tools, or controls and reach with hands and arms.
The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.
NOTES:
2. Recreational drugs, weapons and violence are not permitted on agency property or at any agency events or programs.
3. The above job description represents the general nature, primary duties and responsibilities, and qualifications for the work performed by employees within this job, but is not a comprehensive and exhaustive list. Employees may be required to perform other duties as assigned, and specific duties, responsibilities, and activities within the core nature of the job may change at any time with or without notice. Employees must be able to perform the essential functions of the job, as specified by the employing entity, with or without reasonable accommodation.
