Job Objective:

The Stroke Nurse Practitioner is licensed to independently perform a variety of primary healthcare and intensive care services that require a high degree of clinical judgment in the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of patients. Under the oversight from a physician and in accordance with standardized procedures and protocols the Stroke Nurse Practitioner serves as coordinator of the multidisciplinary team in the implementation of an established plan of care and is responsible for ensuring continuity of patient care, communicating the plan of care with patients and families, and facilitating discharge.

Duties and Responsibilities:

The Stroke Nurse Practitioner meets all the essential duty requirements of a Nurse Practitioner with experience in treating stroke patients. Additionally, the Stroke Nurse Practitioner must exemplify expert clinical skills, effective planning, leadership abilities, and ensure appropriate delivery of patient care according to the established standards. They must work effectively with an interdisciplinary team and possess strong communication skills.

1. Stroke / Acute Care Administration
2. Rounds on acute care stroke patients with a focus on development and coordination of the plan of care.
3. Facilitates early discharge planning and problem solving of patient care issues in collaboration with the multidisciplinary Hospitalist team.
4. Reviews diagnostic tests, medications, and plan progress.
5. Assess and reassesses patient needs.
6. Documents in progress notes and writes orders, including medication orders, transfer and discharge orders and discharge summary in collaboration with the primary physician.
7. Serves as a liaison between the acute care stroke patient and the multidisciplinary team.
8. Responds to in-patient units assisting in acute care stroke patient evaluation and resuscitation/stabilization.
9. Assists in procedures and performs procedures as credentialed.
10. Facilitates Performance Improvement and Patient Safety (PIPS) process. This may include monitoring trends in care and adherence to practice guidelines, identifying complications or deviations from standards of care and PI indicators for further review.
11. Participates in comprehensive stroke center research, research selection, analysis and distribution of findings, and assists with guideline development.
12. Serves as expert resource and consultant on latest evidence supporting cost-effective, safe nursing practice.
13. Serves as resource to nursing personnel in the care planning of complex or unusual stroke patients.
14. Conducts comprehensive assessments using evidence-based tools and techniques.
15. Analyzes the ethical impact of scientific advances, including cost and clinical effectiveness, on patient and family values and preferences.
16. Participates in research selection, analysis and distribution of findings, and assist with guideline development.
17. Responds to all “Code Stroke” events in the Emergency Department as well as inpatient units.

Non-Essential Duties:

• Other duties as needed/assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge

• Advanced knowledge of acute stroke care.
• Knowledge of state and federal regulations relating to the stroke program.

Skills

· Strong organizational skills, interpersonal skills, and communication skills

· Demonstrated leadership skills

· Strong analysis and problem-solving skills

Abilities

· Ability to work together for the good of the patient at all times.

· Ability to educate staff for patient’s condition and recommended treatment.

· Ability to be self-directed and function autonomously

· Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships

· Ability to work collaboratively in a self-directed work team environment

· Ability to handle diverse responsibilities concurrently

· Ability to train employees and families

AVMC Values: All AVMC employees will effectively demonstrate these values:

• Patients Come First – We listen actively and communicate with our patients and families, placing safety as a top priority.
• Accountability & Ownership – We fully complete tasks, are transparent, effectively communicate, and recognize that what we do reflects on us.
• Teamwork – We build trusting relationships, promote a sense of community, and are respectful of everyone. Success is about the whole team.
• Integrity & Honesty – We tell the truth at all times, speak up when something is wrong, and do the right thing when no one is looking.
• Excellence – We take pride in our work, are goal-oriented, and on a never-ending quest for top tier quality.
• Initiative & Innovation – Our can-do attitudes, creativity, and resourcefulness empower us to improve the patient’s experience, solve our own problems, make timely decisions, and look for opportunities to add value.
• Tenderness & Compassion – We have genuine empathy, show kindness, and encourage and advocate for each other.

Education and Experience:

Education

· Graduate of an accredited school of nursing with a master’s degree.

Experience

· Two years’ experience in acute care setting with experience with the stroke patient population.

· One year experience as an Acute Care Stroke Nurse Practitioner preferred.

Required Licensure and/or Certifications:

• Valid and current Registered Nurses license issued by the State of California
• Valid and current Nurse Practitioner license issued by the State of California
• Board Certification as a Nurse Practitioner
• Nurse Practitioner Furnishing Number
• ACLS certification Required
• BLS Certification Required
• NIHSS Certification Required
• PALS certification preferred
• National Certification in Specialty Care Nursing (SCRN) highly preferred

Full Job Description is located online via link. A detailed description of the physical requirements of this job is maintained in the Employee Health Department.