NURSE PRACTITIONER IV-PULMONOLOGY - FULL TIME- LATROBE

Excela Health is seeking a Nurse Practitioner IV in Pulmonology for a full-time, on-site position in Latrobe. This role combines clinical practice in pulmonary medicine with surgical support, offering the opportunity to work across inpatient, outpatient, and perioperative settings while collaborating closely with supervising physicians and an interdisciplinary healthcare team.

Clinical Responsibilities

You will provide comprehensive patient care in pulmonology, including:

• Conduct systematic patient assessments, physical examinations, and histories of present illness, documenting findings in the medical record within established timeframes
• Collect patient assessment data focusing on physical, psychosocial, age, cultural, and spiritual needs
• Prescribe appropriate medications based on patient condition per state prescriptive authority guidelines and the Excela Health Allied Health Committee
• Manage physical and psychological problems of patients, identifying normal and abnormal findings and implementing treatment plans
• Prescribe immunizations per recommended schedules
• Evaluate physical and emotional responses to medications and treatments
• Seek appropriate consultation with other healthcare team members as needed
• Perform patient rounds ensuring accurate assessment, review of labs and diagnostic procedures, and report progress to supervising physician
• Order appropriate testing per established guidelines
• Communicate timely with supervising physician regarding changes in patient progress, status, or critical test results
• Prepare discharge planning in conjunction with supervising physician and dictate discharge summaries
• Provide counseling and instruction to patients and families
• Interview, evaluate, and assess patients in the clinic setting and provide treatment recommendations
• Adjust medications as indicated and provide patient and family education regarding medication, rationale for use, and possible side effects
• Alert the treatment team to significant changes in patient status
• Review treatment goals and objectives with patients within prescribed timeframes, making modifications as appropriate

Surgical and Perioperative Support

• Position patients and assist surgeon in the operating room
• Prep and drape patients per established guidelines
• Assist in surgery by performing tasks defined by the surgeon
• Maintain sterile technique through procedures
• Perform skin closures as directed by supervising physician
• Monitor patients until clinically stable unless requested by surgeon to perform other duties
• Perform suture removal and dressing changes per supervising physician's directions
• Be available for call from home to assist in emergency surgeries
• Perform preoperative history and physicals as designated by physician, identifying normal and abnormal findings and reporting to physician in timely manner
• Provide preoperative teaching to patients and families

Documentation and Communication

• Document assessment data, history of present illness, and physical findings in the medical record
• Involve patient, family, and other healthcare providers when appropriate
• Initiate and maintain problem list and medication lists
• Assess and facilitate consultation when indicated
• Direct patients to appropriate level of care and communicate pertinent information in timely, organized manner
• Assist in identifying and utilizing resources and social agencies for further treatment or rehabilitation
• Record patient's current mental status
• Document all screenings and assessments performed
• Record medication changes, prescriptions written, and samples provided
• Document patient's complaints, concerns, and questions
• Document any and all telephone contact with patients, families, pharmacists, or physicians
• Record beginning and end times of each session
• Sign and date all documentation

Leadership and Quality Improvement

• Demonstrate leadership utilizing professional practice concepts
• Problem solve independently utilizing critical thinking skills and seek assistance from immediate supervisor when appropriate
• Maintain accountability for actions taken
• Function effectively as a resource person
• Act as patient advocate
• Perform effectively in the role of preceptor and mentor to new hires and students
• Identify initiatives to improve patient outcomes and satisfaction
• Assist in chart reviews and audits as needed for performance improvement data collection
• Support initiatives implemented to improve patient outcomes and efficiencies
• Participate in outcome management and Press Ganey scores
• Facilitate timely treatment of abnormal labs or other relevant findings
• Develop workflow patterns to facilitate patient transfers or discharges

Compliance and Safety

• Ensure assessment and care delivery comply with all appropriate licensing boards, hospital policies, procedures, and professional standards
• Assist in department compliance with state, JCAHO, OSHA, and other regulatory agencies
• Assist in preparation for surveys and inspections
• Participate in non-punitive medication reporting system
• Ensure accountability for narcotics per regulatory requirements
• Participate in health system and office fire, safety, utility, hazard, and disaster drills
• Utilize two forms of patient identification before implementing any form of patient care
• Assume appropriate code team role during emergency situations and respond effectively
• Assist in maintaining safe and clean environment for patients, visitors, and staff
• Adhere to infection control processes, including standard precautions, to reduce risk of acquiring or transmitting infections
• Practice National Patient Safety Goals

Additional Duties

• Maintain regular, consistent, on-site, and timely attendance
• Complete competencies required annually
• Perform any and all other duties as assigned and appropriate

Required Qualifications

• Graduate of an accredited Nurse Practitioner Program
• Current licensure to practice in the State of Pennsylvania
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) approved curriculum of the American Heart Association (CPR and AED) program
• Current Certification as a Nurse Practitioner from the appropriate certifying body
• Current DEA license
• Completion of required CME's
• PA Act 153 Clearances: Act 34 (PA Criminal Record Check from PA State Police system), Act 33 (PA Child Abuse History from Department of Public Welfare), and Act 73 (FBI Fingerprinting screening within 2 weeks of hire to meet 30 days of hire or transfer position requirements)
• One year of medical and surgical experience
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills
• Strong leadership ability, independent thinking, and decision-making ability
• Analytical problem-solving skills and sound judgment
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Ability to function in a team environment
• Strong time management and organizational skills
• Ability to work independently and in a team setting
• Creativity in treatment in various settings including inpatient, skilled nursing, and outpatient clinics
• Ability to transition smoothly between various treatment settings
• Flexibility in scheduling
• Ability to communicate with all members of the healthcare team
• Proficient oral and written communication skills
• Ability to multi-task and prioritize assignments
• Basic working knowledge of computers and office equipment
• Ability to plan, organize, and prioritize multiple projects simultaneously
• Interpersonal skills that facilitate positive, constructive interaction with personnel both intra and interdepartmentally
• Ability to support an interdisciplinary team approach to patient care that crosses a comprehensive care continuum
• Experience with JCAHO requirements

Schedule

• Full-time, on-site position
• On-call requirements for emergency surgeries

Preferred Qualifications

• Pulmonology experience
• Related training and experience within the past five years