Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, 3rd Shift

Houston Methodist is seeking an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner for the 3rd shift to provide comprehensive patient care in both inpatient and outpatient settings. In this role, you will function as a licensed advanced practice provider, performing assessments, diagnoses, treatments, and consultations while maintaining and promoting patient health. You will prescribe medications, order diagnostic tests, conduct physicals, and serve as a patient's healthcare provider under the Texas Nurse Practice Act.

You will work as part of an interprofessional treatment team, role modeling compassionate communication with patients, physicians, and colleagues. This position requires independent clinical judgment and the ability to function autonomously while collaborating effectively with the healthcare team.

Clinical Setting

Houston Methodist West Hospital serves the West Houston, Katy, and surrounding communities. The campus offers comprehensive acute care services including cardiology and cardiovascular surgery, neurology and neurosurgery, comprehensive cancer care, orthopedics and sports medicine, gastroenterology, bariatrics, childbirth center with level III NICU, emergency care, and advanced imaging.

Responsibilities

• Conduct health assessments (initial, ongoing, and discharge) and identify normal and abnormal health characteristics
• Develop individualized plans of care and initiate appropriate interventions
• Evaluate care outcomes for defined patient populations
• Perform invasive, diagnostic, or therapeutic procedures as appropriate to licensure and credentialed privileges
• Coordinate appropriate and timely patient care under physician supervision, prioritizing based on patient needs, abilities, and preferences
• Coordinate patient care between healthcare providers and participate in interprofessional rounds
• Provide safe and effective care by leading and initiating outcome, quality, and safety improvement activities
• Assist the interprofessional team in developing and implementing protocols to ensure patient safety
• Serve as a clinical resource and interprofessional consultant
• Advocate on behalf of patients and families to identify and resolve clinical and ethical concerns
• Provide education to patients about preventative care and prescribed treatments
• Mentor staff and identify professional development opportunities for colleagues
• Serve as a preceptor for Nurse Practitioner students and medical residents as applicable
• Implement department strategies to achieve financial targets through timely documentation, decreasing length of stay, and optimizing efficiency
• Promote quality healthcare through integration of current research into practice and participation in evidence-based activities
• Identify opportunities for practice changes and performance improvement

Required Qualifications

Education

• Master's degree or higher from an accredited school of nursing
• Graduate from an accredited Nurse Practitioner program

Experience

• Two years of registered nurse, advanced practice, or nurse practitioner clinical experience

Licenses and Certifications

• Active RN license from Texas Board of Nursing (Texas PSV Compact Licensure accepted; permanent Texas license must be obtained within 60 days if establishing Texas residency)
• APRN Acute Care state license
• Magnet ANCC-recognized Acute-Care practitioner certification
• BLS (Basic Life Support) or Instructor certification from American Heart Association
• ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) or Instructor certification from American Heart Association
• Prescriptive Authority from Texas Board of Nursing
• DEA Narcotics License from Drug Enforcement Administration (must be obtained within 6 months)

Required Knowledge and Abilities

• Demonstrated skills and competencies to safely perform assigned duties, as determined through ongoing skills and competency assessments
• Proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing English necessary to perform essential job functions, particularly those impacting patient or employee safety
• Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members, and coworkers in a customer service-focused manner
• Highly developed assessment, clinical, documentation, leadership, and analytical skills
• Ability to use therapeutic communication to establish relationships with patients, families, and the interprofessional team
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills with capacity to prioritize multiple tasks
• Ability to function independently and exercise clinical judgment
• Proficient time management skills
• Critical thinking skills and clinical judgment to work autonomously as defined by the Nurse Practice Act

Schedule and Employment

• 3rd shift (night shift)
• FLSA Status: Exempt
• On-call duties required (employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies such as disasters or severe weather events)
• May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area

Work Attire

• Scrubs required
• Business professional attire acceptable
• Other department-approved attire acceptable