Advance Practice Practitioner*

Orange County Health Department is seeking a Full-Time Advance Practice Practitioner (Family Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant).  This position provides primary and preventive health care to clients of the Orange County Health Department (OCHD) medical clinics.

Hiring Range $83,851 - $95,395

* This position is designated Safety Sensitive and pre-employment drug testing is required.

Examples of Essential Functions
A position may not include all the work examples given, nor does the list include all that may be assigned.
Obtains medical, social, and family histories appropriate to maternal and child health, family planning, sexually transmitted infections, and primary care.
 
Performs physical examinations according to specified protocols and procedures; monitors vital signs, fetal heart tones, and prenatal non-stress test.
 
Makes medical diagnoses and prescribes medical treatments according to specified protocols and procedures with Medical Director's consultation as needed.
 
Documents accurately all findings: history, physical, laboratory work, diagnosis, plan of care, treatment and medications orders, and referrals made.
 
Provides in-depth health education and counseling on a wide variety of health topics: contraception, pregnancy, fertility, sexually transmitted diseases, immunizations, nutrition, child and adolescent health issues, chronic diseases, health promotion strategies, exam findings, and various treatment options/modalities.
 
Performs minimally invasive procedures to include IUD and implant insertions and removals.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities
Knowledge of the principles and practices of public health nursing, specifically relating to scope of practice.
 
Knowledge of public health laws pertaining to communicable diseases and immunizations.
 
Knowledge of normal and abnormal physical exam findings.
 
Knowledge of medical diagnoses and of the recommended/appropriate treatment.
 
Knowledge of various diagnostic tests and therapeutic procedures.
 
Knowledge of current pharmacy laws pertaining to health department pharmacy and dispensation laws.
 
Knowledge of medications' desired effects as well as side effects and prescribing guidelines.
 
Ability to plan a regimen of patient care based on assessment findings.
 
Knowledge of the rules, regulations, procedures, protocols, and policies pertaining to medical services of the County.
 
Knowledge of laboratory testing and interpretation practices.
 
Knowledge of community resources and human services agencies.
 
Knowledge of medical documentation practices and billing codes. 
 
Skill in operating standard medical and laboratory equipment such as a stethoscope, blood pressure cuff, ophthalmoscope, otoscope, fetal heart doppler, vaginal speculum, microscope, and needles/syringes.
 
Skill in operating a computer.
 
Skill in interpersonal relations.
 
Skill in oral and written communication.
 
Supervision
Assignments are provided by indicating generally what is to be done.  Quality and quantity expectations are provided.  Additional details are provided for new, difficult, or unusual problems.  This classification typically does not supervise.
 
Distinguishing Factors
This classification is distinguished from the Public Health Nurse III classification by the complexity of the services provided and the specialized training and certification.

Minimum Qualifications

Requires any education and experience equivalent to graduation from a North Carolina Board of Medical Examiners' approved Physician Assistant program or Nurse Practitioner Program and one year of experience. Eligible for approval to practice medical acts issued by the North Carolina Board of Medical Examiners or the North Carolina Joint Subcommittee of the Board of Nursing and Board of Medical Examiners. 

If candidate is Nurse Practitioner, must possess valid, current license to practice as a Registered Nurse in the State of North Carolina; may be required to possess additional certification(s) as deemed necessary by supervisor. 

Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred.

Requires possession of or ability to readily obtain a valid driver's license issued by the State of North Carolina for the type of vehicle or equipment operated.

Physical Activities
Must be able to physically perform the basic life operational support functions of standing, sitting, pushing, walking, bending, pulling, stooping, kneeling, lifting, climbing, carrying, fingering, grasping, reaching, talking, hearing and repetitive motions of the hands and wrists.
 
Must possess the visual acuity to perform extensive reading, operate a computer terminal and use measurement devices.