Nurse Practitioner / Physician Assistant (Clinician)

Overview:

The Clinician provides comprehensive reproductive healthcare services to patients at Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas (PPGT). Works as part of the Health Services team in collaboration with Health Services and other team members to meet the clinical needs of patients as outlined in affiliate protocols. Orders, interprets, and records results of clinical tests and consults with supervising physicians as needed. Prescribes medications and makes recommendations for other forms of treatment, including contraception. The Clinician is part of the medical services team providing sexual and reproductive healthcare as outlined in affiliate protocols.

Provides services by telehealth and/or in-person visits including: history review, health education, physical exam, counseling, diagnosis, and treatment according to protocols. The Clinician works in partnership with management, Health Services and Chief Operating and Medical Services Officer (COMSO) to provide the highest quality of patient care and excellent patient experience. Participates as a member of a team providing confidential, quality healthcare services, allowing patients to maintain a sense of dignity, trust and safety. There is a dual reporting structure for clinicians. Clinicians report directly to the Health Services Regional Director and clinical supervision is provided by the Director of Clinical Services. Performs duties to ensure productivity expectations, patient satisfaction, customer service, and compliance standards are maintained. Supports the organization’s strategic plan and workplace inclusion initiatives. Abides by the organization’s mission in performing job duties. Demonstrates an understanding and commitment to PPGT’s culture of quality, safety and risk awareness.

Responsibilities:

• Performs physical examinations with special emphasis on the reproductive system including breast examinations, pelvic/genital, cancer screening tests, diagnosis of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and other types of more specialized services or procedures as may be indicated by medical policy or protocols (e.g. gender affirming hormone therapy-GAHT).
  
• Orders, and interprets diagnostic studies as indicated and permitted by medical protocols. Performs lab testing per Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) regulations and according to PPGT�s lab manual or manufacturer�s directions.
  
• Provides patient care according to all Medical Standards and Guidelines and/or the specific direction of a supervising physician. Consults with organization COMSO or designee when deviates from PPGT Medical Standards and Guidelines (MS&Gs).
  
• Provides relevant health instruction and education to include family planning, sexual counseling, and principles of health promotion
  
• and maintenance.
  
• Documents exam findings and other clinical aspects of direct patient care into the medical record accurately.
  
• Codes billable services accurately based on medical record documentation using accepted practices, i.e. Evaluation and Management (E&M), Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) and diagnosis codes (ICD-10).
  
• Ensures conformity with the policies and procedures of the affiliate, Texas Medical Practice Act, Physician Assistant Licensing Act, Texas Nurse Practice Act, and rules promulgated under those acts.
  
• Recognizes ethical, legal, and professional issues inherent in providing care to health center patients throughout the life cycle.
  
• Initiates and monitors appropriate follow-up according to PPGT Medical Standards and Guidelines on all abnormal test results and referrals.
  
• Remains well informed about current contraceptive technology and reproductive and sexual healthcare issues.
  
• Develops and maintains a collaborative working relationship with the Health Center Manager and support staff resulting in a team effort in meeting center goals.
  
• Develops a level of time management that is conducive to seeing 3-4 clinician visits per hour meeting productivity goals and expectations.
  
• Takes an active role in managing patient satisfaction by practicing patient centered care and providing exemplary customer service to patients.
  
• Responds to medical emergencies as provided in the medical protocols and is responsible for maintenance of emergency box
  
• May assist in supervising and participating in the orientation and proctoring of new clinicians.
  
• Administers, supplies, or prescribes medications/devices, including injections, per delegated orders of the Pharmacist-in-charge and the Chief Medical Officer as outlined in The Manual of Medical Standards and Guidelines and Pharmacy Manual and as per Title 22, Part 11, Chapter 22 of the Texas Administrative Code.
  
• Maintains an active Prescriptive Authority Agreement which is reviewed with authorizing physician annually. Holds Quality Assurance and Improvement meetings and chart reviews as required by the PAA between the authorizing physician and the clinician.
  
• Has unrestricted access to patient protected health information (PHI) on paper and electronic forms health records for purposes of treatment, payment, and/or healthcare operations. The use of a patient�s protected health information should be limited to information needed for the specific task that is being performed or requested by the individual patient. Disclosure of any patient information must be for purposes of treatment, payment or healthcare operation OR must be accompanied by a valid patient authorization. Must adhere to minimum necessary rule.
  
• Embraces the organization�s In This Together customer service standards and uses them with internal and external customers, every person, every time.
  
• Duties and responsibilities may be added, deleted or changed at any time at the discretion of management, formally or informally, either verbally or in writing.
  

Qualifications:

• Master�s degree (or equivalent) and certification in specialty as a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Women�s Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP), Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM), Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, or Physician Assistant (PA).
  

• Experience as a Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Midwife, or Physician Assistant in reproductive healthcare or women�s health strongly preferred. In the absence of advance practice experience, candidates must have direct patient care experience (in addition to clinical rotation/externship/internship hours) such as a RN, LVN, Medical Assistant, laboratory technician in a supervised clinical setting such as: hospital, ambulatory surgery center, clinic, nursing home or other related medical setting (excluding home care).
  

• License to practice as an Advanced Practice Nurse with prescriptive authority in the State of Texas
  

or License to practice as a Physician Assistant by the Texas Medical Board. Must be able to obtain and maintain appropriate licenses listed above and appropriate national certification (NCC, AMCB, AANP, ANCC, or NCCPA) and basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) BLS certification course taught by the either American Heart Association (AHA) or American Red Cross (ARC).

Essential Physical Requirements/Working Conditions:

Must be able to bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, reach, and grasp. Must be able to stand, particularly for sustained periods of time. Must be able to move about on foot to accomplish tasks, such as moving from one work site to another. Must be able to push/pull. Must be able to work primarily with fingers such as picking, pinching, or typing. Must be able to perceive attributes of objects such as size, shape, temperature or texture by touching with skin, particularly that of fingertips. Must be able to communicate effectively. Will have substantial movements of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers. Must be able to lift and/or exert up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. Subject to hazards including a variety of physical conditions such as proximity to moving mechanical parts, moving vehicles, electrical current, or exposure to infectious diseases. Must be able to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; extensive reading; visual inspection involving small defects, small parts, and/or operation of machines (including inspection); using measurement devices. Health Center environment.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Must be able to work all health center hours of operation including evenings and weekends.
  
• Performance of job duties in a health center and/or virtual telehealth environment as defined by position requirements.
  
• Must be able and willing to travel to other locations as needed to provide clinician coverage to centers.
  
• Bilingual in Spanish/English desired.
  
• Demonstrates continued competency in meeting educational and professional standards.
  
• Ability to adhere to the medical protocols of the organization and Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA).
  
• Ability to think strategically and achieve organization�s goals relating to position.
  
• Ability to adhere to the compliance and regulatory requirements pertaining to position.
  
• Possess effective analytical skills.
  
• Strong organizational skills and ability to multi-task.
  
• Ability to manage details and complexity, to handle a variety of tasks simultaneously and to work under pressure.
  
• Ability to exercise initiative, sound judgment, and problem-solving techniques in the decision-making process.
  
• Ability to effectively use organization�s computer systems.
  
• Skilled in verbal and written communications.
  
• Be discreet and safeguard confidential information.
  
• Possess integrity and compliance - can be relied upon to act ethically.
  
• Ability to provide effective, equitable, understandable, and respectful quality care and services that are responsive to the diverse cultural health beliefs and practices, preferred language, health literacy and other communication needs.
  
• Ability to work effectively as a team member.
  
• Ability to lead, manage, direct, and motivate diverse groups of people and possess the skills to delegate and supervise subordinates.
  
• Organizational Awareness: Demonstrates a comprehensive awareness of the impact and implications of decisions and actions on other areas (departments or clinics) within the organization.
  
• Industry Awareness: Remains aware PPFA accreditation standards and of the reproductive health environment�s regulatory compliance requirements. Understands how accreditation standards, regulatory agencies, funding, the external marketplace and competitive environment drives change within the organization.
  
• Work Management: Effectively manages time as a resource; establishes realistic priorities; schedules own time and activities effectively; gives balanced focus and attention to appropriate long- and short-term priorities. Develops action plans and budgets; leverages technology; anticipates obstacles; establishes check points and monitors progress.
  
• Recovery Skills: Responds effectively and acknowledges responsibilities when clients (internal or external) experience problems or mistakes; rectifies the situation to restore client satisfaction; seeks information and collaborates with others to take action to implement permanent fixes. Maintains stable performance and emotions when faced with opposition, pressure, and or stressful conditions.
  
• Interpersonal Sensitivity: Acts in a way that indicates understanding and accurate interpretation of others� concerns, feelings, strengths and limitations. Uses interpersonal understanding to shape one�s own response.
  
• Building Relationships: Shows genuine interest in others� needs and opinions; establishes rapport; earns the confidence and trust of others; demonstrates consistency between words and actions; delivers on commitments.
  
• Adaptability or Flexibility: Responds with flexibility to shifting priorities and changing work situations; recovers quickly from problems and setbacks; develops new skills to remain competitive. Adapts easily to change, sees the merits of differing positions, and adapts own positions and strategies in response to new information or changes to a situation.
  
• Coping with Demands of the Position: Uses effective problem solving while working under stress, high volume of work demands and/or time demands; regularly meets deadlines.
  
• Exemplify the organization�s In This Together values: We Tend to the Team; We Respect and Honor All People; We Jump In; We Try and We Learn; We Care for our Business; and We Return to our Mission.
  

Agency Standards:

Must have excellent computer skills with knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Internet. Must have the willingness and ability to adapt to change including advances or new technology. Must have excellent customer service skills and be committed to providing the highest level of customer satisfaction.

PPGT is an equal opportunity employer. We strictly prohibit unlawful discrimination of any kind, including discrimination on the basis of age; race, color, ancestry, national origin, or ethnicity; citizenship status; sex or gender; gender identity or gender expression or transgender status (including the individual's actual or perceived sex and the individual's gender identity, self-image, appearance, behavior, or expression); sexual orientation (including actual or perceived heterosexuality, homosexuality, bisexuality and asexuality); mental or physical disability; AIDS, AIDS Related Complex, or HIV status; perception of risk of HIV infection; or association with individuals who are believed to be at risk; religion or creed; genetic information; pregnancy status, including related medical conditions; marital status; past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services; or any other basis protected by law. We are a drug-free and tobacco-free workplace.

Applicants have rights under the Federal Employment Laws. To view these notices, please click on the following links: Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) poster: Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) poster; and Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA) poster.