NURSE PRACTITIONER

The Orthopedic Nurse Practitioner (NP) or Physician Assistant (PA) works collaboratively with the supervising Orthopedic Surgeon to provide comprehensive orthopedic care in the outpatient clinic, inpatient hospital setting, and surgical environment. The NP/PA evaluates and manages orthopedic patients independently within the scope of practice, conducts inpatient rounds on hospitalized orthopedic patients, and assists the surgeon during operative procedures. The position requires excellent clinical judgment, strong communication skills, and a commitment to delivering high-quality, patient-centered care.

General Description:

• Hospital employed
• Full-time outpatient practice opportunity with inpatient consultation
• Work Week 4.5 days per week with one half day of administrative (charting, patient follow-up, care coordination, etc.).

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Clinical Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive patient evaluations, including obtaining medical histories and performing physical examinations.
• Assess, diagnose, and develop treatment plans for patients with musculoskeletal injuries and orthopedic conditions.
• Order, interpret, and review diagnostic tests, including laboratory studies and imaging.
• Provide patient education regarding diagnoses, treatment options, postoperative care, rehabilitation, and injury prevention.
• Perform follow-up evaluations and monitor patient progress.
• Apply casts, splints, braces, and other orthopedic devices as appropriate.
• Perform office-based procedures within scope of practice and competency.
• Document patient encounters accurately and timely in the electronic medical record.
• Coordinate care with physicians, therapists, nurses, and other healthcare professionals.
• Participate in patient triage and respond to patient questions and concerns.

Inpatient Responsibilities

• Conduct daily rounds on hospitalized orthopedic patients under the direction of the supervising Orthopedic Surgeon.
• Evaluate inpatient orthopedic consultations and provide recommendations for treatment and management.
• Monitor patient progress, review laboratory and diagnostic results, and adjust treatment plans as appropriate.
• Coordinate inpatient care with nursing staff, case management, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and other members of the healthcare team.
• Facilitate patient discharge planning, including follow-up care, rehabilitation needs, and patient education.
• Document all inpatient encounters and treatment plans in the electronic medical record in a timely manner.
• Communicate patient status and significant clinical findings to the supervising physician.

Surgical Responsibilities

• First assist the supervising Orthopedic Surgeon during surgical procedures as credentialed and permitted by hospital policy.
• Participate in preoperative assessments and patient preparation.
• Assist with surgical exposure, tissue handling, hemostasis, wound closure, and application of postoperative dressings and immobilization devices.
• Participate in postoperative patient management and follow-up care.
• Round on hospitalized orthopedic patients as directed by the supervising physician.

Administrative Responsibilities

• Maintain accurate and complete medical records.
• Ensure compliance with hospital, medical staff, and regulatory requirements.
• Participate in quality improvement initiatives and departmental meetings.
• Assist with development and implementation of clinical protocols and best practices.

Work Environment:

• Small rural hospital setting with close-knit team dynamics.
• Opportunity to make a significant impact on patient care in an underserved community.

Essential Values-Based, Leadership and Management Competencies:

At Artesia General Hospital, our leadership and management practices are grounded in our core values, captured in the acronym S.E.R.V.I.C.E. These values are the foundation of all employee activities and guide us in fulfilling our Mission.

• Servant Leadership - Leading by serving others with compassion and humility.
• Excellence - Striving for the highest quality in all we do.
• Respect - Treating everyone with dignity and kindness.
• Virtuousness - Acting with honesty, integrity, and accountability.
• Innovation - Embracing new ideas to improve care and outcomes.
• Community - Fostering collaboration to meet the needs of those we serve.
• Education - Promoting learning and professional development.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Experience

• Orthopedic, surgical, emergency medicine, sports medicine, or related clinical experience preferred.
• Prior surgical assisting experience preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong knowledge of orthopedic conditions, treatment modalities, and surgical procedures.
• Ability to independently evaluate and manage patients within scope of practice.
• Proficiency in interpreting diagnostic studies.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary healthcare team.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Commitment to providing high-quality, patient-centered care.

AGE-RELATED COMPETENCIES: Demonstrates the basic knowledge and skills necessary to identify age-specific patient needs appropriate for this position.

Information Management: Treats all information and data within the scope of the position with appropriate confidentiality and security.

Risk Management/Quality Management/Safety: Cooperates fully in all Risk Management, Quality Management, and Safety Activities and Investigations.

ENVIROMENTAL CONDITIONS:

• Outpatient orthopedic clinic.
• Hospital and surgical suite settings.
• Exposure to bloodborne pathogens and other healthcare-related hazards in accordance with OSHA standards.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to stand for extended periods during surgical procedures.
• Ability to lift, move, and assist patients as needed.
• Manual dexterity sufficient to assist in surgical procedures and perform clinical tasks.
• Ability to respond to emergency situations in a timely manner.

MINIMUM POSITION QUALIFICATIONS:

Education:

• Master's or Doctoral degree in Nursing from an accredited program.
• Current Nurse Practitioner certification. Or
• Graduate of an accredited Physician Assistant program.
• Current NCCPA certification.
• Current unrestricted license to practice in the state of employment.
• Current DEA registration (or eligibility to obtain).
• Current BLS certification required.
• ACLS certification preferred.