Diabetes Nurse Practitioner

Functions independently and interdependently within the hospital environment to provide direct and indirect patient care. Provides care in a holistic manner with a focus on glycemic management including the assessment of physical, psychosocial, rehabilitative and discharge needs of both the patient and his/her family; and the intervention planning and implementation to meet those needs identified. Works in a collaborative way with his/her sponsoring physician and the medical, nursing and ancillary staff of the hospital.EDUCATION:Master's Degree in Acute Care or Family Nurse Practitioner from an accredited school of nursingEXPERIENCE:At least two (2) years experience as a registered nurse or as a nurse practitioner.CERTIFICATION:Board-certified in Advanced Diabetes Management or take the exam when eligibleCurrent certification of fitness from Tennessee Board of Nursing as a nurse practitioner B.C.L.S. certification requiredLICENSURE:Current nursing licensure by the Tennessee Board of Nursing SKILLS:1. Effective oral and written communication skills.2. Demonstrated organizational skills.3. Renders professional and skillful patient care, including drug management, in a variety of hospital settings.4. Able to provide age appropriate health counseling and education to patients and their families.5. Able to perform and document history and physical exam pertinent to diabetes care.ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:1. Closely monitor the progress of patients with glycemic dysfunction (hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia). 2. Intervene when the predetermined practice guidelines from American Diabetes Association (ADA), American Association of Clinical Endocrinologist (AACE), and American Healthways Corporation (AMHC) are not followed. 3. Collaborate with attending physicians to assure the achievement of performance measures for the diabetes population.4. Interview patients and their family members and review records to obtain complete health history and document information appropriately in patient medical records.5. Perform and document assessments/reassessments of patients using appropriate age specific techniques thoroughly, accurately and in a timely manner.6. Evaluate patient progress/response toward expected outcomes, documents findings in progress notes and shares findings with responsible physician by verbal or written report.7. Provide age appropriate health counseling and guidance to patients and their families in an informative and compassionate manner.8. Instruct a patient regarding: diet, medications, disease entity, exercises, discharge planning and follow-up plan; verifies patient understanding of instruction provided.9. Perform facility-approved treatments and test in accordance with hospital patient care standards and protocols.10. Communicate with interdisciplinary team to coordinate interventions, revise patient plan of care to meet changing needs, and assure continuity of care.11. Provide coaching, mentoring, and instruction to hospital bedside care facilitators.12. Coordinate and assist with clinical research at the request of Baptist Hospital Medical Staff.13. Evaluate and enroll patients in I.R.B. approved clinical trials at Baptist Hospital.14. Provide education to hospital staff regarding ongoing clinical trials including department specific expectations for maintaining protocol integrity.15. Identify limitations in own skills or knowledge and seeks appropriate assistance.16. Demonstrate a commitment to professional accountability and growth.Scope of Practice: The Diabetes Nurse Practitioner is able to perform complete and/or focused assessments, recognize and prioritize complex data in order to identify needs of patients with glycemic dysfunction across the life span, and provide therapeutic problem-solving, counseling, and regimen adjustments. The scope of advanced diabetes practice includes management skills such as medication adjustment, medical nutrition therapy, exercise planning, counseling for behavior management and psychosocial issues. Attaining optimal metabolic control may include treatment and monitoring of acute and chronic complications.1) Initiate and interpret diagnostic tests and procedures relevant to the patient’s current status a. Order and/or adjust frequency of blood glucose monitoringb. Order diabetes-related labs (A1C, creatinine, etc.)2) Make adjustments in diabetes medications:a. Change sliding scale if indicatedb. Order an insulin drip if indicatedc. Initiate insulin if indicatedd. Restart and make adjustments in home regimen when indicatede. Discontinue diabetes medication when contraindicatedf. Initiate or reinstate oral medications if indicated3) Order/Provide diabetes self-management training4) Prescribe blood glucose monitors and supplies5) Initiate endocrinology/diabetology consults for patients with unresolving hyper/hypoglycemia and/or diabetes complications affecting the course of treatment6) Refer patient to primary care physician upon dischargeMETHOD OF COMMUNICATIONThe ARNP utilizes a pager, e-mail, and voice mail. The APN services can be initiated via computerized order entry or telephone request.HOURS OF OPERATIONMonday through Friday hours as determined upon agreement by supervising physician, AMHC Program Director and ARNP. One weekend worked per month is also required.The Diabetes ARNP will communicate frequently and in detail with the attending physician to ensure that a plan is in place for questions that may arise after normal business hours. The hospital night advanced practice nurses will provide back up for crisis management of patients with hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia. The Diabetes on-call staff is available to provide emergency consultation.WORKING CONDITIONS:Regular and routine exposure to a variety of unpleasant physical working conditions. Frequent exposure to injury or occupational hazards or contagious disease, which requires special precautions. Limited radiation exposure which is monitored by the State of Tennessee. Exposure to contagious diseases possible. PHYSICAL EFFORT:Frequent to constant use of strength, manual dexterity, coordination, mobility, visual discrimination and hearing. Ability to concentrate and stand for prolonged periods of time. Healthways is an Equal Opportunity Employer.rn