MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL

The Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) is a registered nurse with master’s preparation in an expanded role who will provide direct care to individuals, families, and/or groups in a Consultative Eating Disorder Clinic. This APN provides direct care to patients which may include new patient consults, follow up exams; ordering lab and imaging tests ; and prescribing medications.

This position will support the mission, vision and values of the Eating Disorder Clinic. This position will support safety and quality care of patients. The Nurse Practitioner (NP), Eating Disorders will serve as a member of an inter-professional team and provide assessments to eating disordered patients, including individuals treated as outpatients. The NP may also help client’s access primary health care in the community and serve as a connection to Inpatient services in hospitals. (S)he holds his/her own outpatient sessions, and within the scope of practice is expected to initiate and arrange the patient’s outpatient care plan with the involvement and consideration of other health disciplines within and outside the hospital. S(he) coordinates the care a patient may need in the community. Advanced Practice Nurses place a marked emphasis on patient teaching and education, and promote competent, compassionate nursing care for patients and families.

The Primary Care NP understands the position is an important part of the care team and promotes partnership between patient, family and team.

The APN has appropriate knowledge of nursing, medical, and scientific principles, and appropriately applies those principles to practice of family care.

CLINICAL PRACTICE

Participates in daily huddles and shares information with the team that is necessary to enhance the patient experience, delivery and coordination of care and incorporates the patient as an active team member.

Provides independent, direct, and indirect nursing care; performing physical examinations, ordering diagnostic studies, evaluating results and prescribing treatment as appropriate. Follows patients appropriately, within Advanced Practice Role as delineated within the state of Massachusetts and MGH.

Patient/Family Care

Establish the diagnosis(es) and determines a plan of care including; order laboratory and radiology test and treatments for

• Short term and chronic health problems
• Exacerbation of health problems

• Chronic disease and health promotion management

Refer patients to appropriate physicians, clinics, or other health care providers, including community providers for management or consultation.

Write prescriptions according to Massachusetts Authority to Prescribe laws and consistent with the NP's and supervising physician’s scope of practice.

Use the Electronic Medical Record in timely and competent manner per practice guidelines

Diagnostic studies: Order, interpret and communicate results

• For health screening and monitoring purposes
• Monitor the effect of current therapy

• Needed to investigate a new problem

Team Care

The NP will be an integral member of the team. He/She will:

• Within team care work to create and implement a system to manage the complex patient

• Participate in team huddles and communicate on a regular basis with team members about patients
• Assist patients/families in management of their health
• Consult with the LICSW regarding psychological-social needs of the patient
• Communicate with case managers regarding disease management especially during transitions of care

• Answer clinical questions from support staff
• Educate support staff and families on health issues and behaviors that can affect patient interactions with staff and families

Transfer to MGH emergency department

• communicate with the ED triage staff
• identify pertinent information to be completed in EPIC for the ED transfer and coordinate with the staff who will organize and print information
• follow up on patient condition post ER visit

Urgent/emergent or complex patient problems – in office or phone

• Provide emergency care to stabilize patient's condition as appropriate
• Seek input from onsite physician and work with them to diagnosis and treat the patient

Indirect Work Management

• Responsible to follow up on labs and imaging ordered by sending letters or calling patients if results are considered critical
• Carry a pager to receive results of a critical value
• Works with all staff to ensure smooth patient flow through out the day to improve efficiency of provider workflow
• Follows guidelines of practice to respond to staff questions via Clinical Messaging in EPIC
• Monitors patient outcomes.

Academic Practice

Quality Initiatives

• The NP will be involved in practice quality improvement initiates
• Recommends changes in practice as needed

Preceptor

• The NP may precept NP students at a minimum of one semester every 2 years

Professional Development

• Maintains and updates knowledge and skills based on current education, nursing, and health care practices.
• Attend bi-weekly staff meeting
• Fulfills professional role through involvement in professional organization activities, presentations, (publications, and research).
• Responds to changes in clinical practice by planning, designing, implementing, and evaluating scientific based practice.
• Develops new techniques, guidelines, protocols, and standards in collaboration with other staff.
• Applies problem solving approaches to teaching, guiding, and solving complex clinical problems.
• Identifies current trends in healthcare and their implications for nursing practice

Responsible billing per MGH Billing Compliance, Federal and State billing regulations

• Integrates theoretical knowledge base and clinical expertise in decision making.
• Advocates for patients, their significant others, coworkers, the community, and the nursing profession.
• Consistently demonstrates accountability.
• Champions collaborative practice with coworkers and other disciplines and departments.
• Consistently demonstrates compassion to internal and external customers.
• Dynamically represents the program and nursing profession in internal and external forums.
• Exemplifies a professional behavior.
• Provides clear and direct verbal and written communication.
• Effectively facilitates group processes of decision-making for patient, family, and staff.
• Is empathic and respectful.
• Manages conflict resolution between patient, family, and staff.
• Advocates for patient’s choices.
• Is HIPAA compliant.
• Is BLS certified

• Patient care primarily at MGH outpatient setting with patients with Eating Disorders

LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS, and/or REGISTRATIONS (if applicable): Specify minimum credentials and clearly indicate if preferred or required

EDUCATION: Specify minimum education and clearly indicate if preferred or required

EXPERIENCE: