The Neonatal Nurse Practioner (NNP), Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN), Advanced Practice Provider (APP), Physician Assistant (PA) is a skilled health care provider in the Neonatology Division who has successfully completed an educational program that provides specialized certification and is regulated by either the Arkansas State Board of Nursing or the Arkansas State Medical Board. An Advanced Practice Provider (APP) manifests a high level of expertise in the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of actual and potential health problems of pediatric patients and their families. An APP possesses an advanced knowledge level, skill, and competence in the provision of care to specific patient and family populations and serves across the care continuum as a clinical resource for patients, family, staff, and the community. The APP is a skilled health care provider who utilizes critical judgment in the performance of comprehensive health assessments, identification of differential diagnoses, and the prescription of pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic treatments in accordance with state and federal laws and regulations. The APP provides direct management of acute and chronic illness and disease in the inpatient setting. The APP practices autonomously in a collaborative practice setting with a physician or physicians with practice comparable in scope, specialty, or expertise. The APP may also work with multidisciplinary teams. The APP is responsible for performing job duties in accordance with the philosophy and policies of UAMS and the mission of Arkansas Children’s Hospital. The role of this provider may also include conducting research, providing education, and impacting policy.

 

The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) has a unique combination of education, research, and clinical programs that encourages and supports teamwork and diversity.  We champion being a collaborative health care organization, focused on improving patient care and the lives of Arkansans.  

 

The safety of our team members at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences is our top priority.  For this reason, successful applicants for this position must be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 or have an approved medical or religious exemption on file with our Student & Employee Health Services dept.  UAMS will adhere to all federal, state and local regulations and will obtain necessary proof of vaccination prior to employment to ensure compliance.

 

Salary offered commensurate with experience.

Standard Duty Areas:

Provides comprehensive care for patients and their families in collaboration with physicians, APRNs and other team members (85%) Clinical Care (variable)
1. Applies evidence based knowledge to initiate change and improve care
2. Demonstrates critical thinking and diagnostic reasoning skills in clinical decision making
3. Gathers information systematically and skillfully from all sources
4. Develops a differential diagnosis based on assessment data
5. Establishes priorities of care
6. Assesses family adaptation, coping skills, and the need for crises intervention
7. Incorporates all assessment findings into a plan to direct patient management
8. Plan of care is based on scientific evidence and guidelines for practice
9. Plans and prescribes appropriate pharmacologic/non-pharmacologic and diagnostic therapies according to established protocols and practice guidelines
10. Performs a complete history and systems-focused exam on admission
11. Performs a complete physical assessment on each assigned patient on a daily basis
12. Distinguishes between normal and abnormal findings
13. Accurately and appropriately performs routine diagnostic and therapeutic techniques according to established guidelines and current standards for APP practice
14. Initiates and performs measures necessary to resuscitate and stabilize a compromised patient
15. Applies principles of pain management to care
16. Applies palliative care principles to care, as applicable
17. Accurately presents and documents the data, impression, and implementation of the plan of care in the patient’s medical record
18. Analyzes multiple sources of data in making clinical judgments and in determining the effectiveness of a plan of care
19. Evaluates the patient’s physiologic and behavioral responses/outcomes to interventions for revision of management plan
20. Communicates with family regarding the health care status and changing health care needs of their hospitalized family member as applicable
21. Provides education for patient and family based on learning needs
22. Provides for continuity of care and uses an interdisciplinary approach to patient-focused care
23. Facilitates ethical decision-making in collaboration with families and other healthcare professionals
24. Functions as an advocate for the patient and family
25. Maintains professional boundaries

Provides and participates in educational programs for professionals on a local and/or national level (3%) Clinical Education (variable)
1. Involved in the development/evaluation of formal educational materials and programs
2. Participates in the provision of educational programs for team members within and outside of the institution
3. Participates in local and national conferences related to specialty area of practice
4. Identifies and clarifies the NNP role to the infant’s family and members of the health care team

Participates in research and/or quality improvement projects and ongoing reviews of patient records, guidelines, and treatment plans (2%) Research and Quality Improvement Processes (variable)
1. Identifies, facilitates and participates in Performance Improvement projects that enhance patient care delivery systems and/or patient/family satisfaction
2. Participates in continuous quality improvement process within the practice area
3. Contributes to research that promotes positive outcomes for patients
4. Participates in the systematic review of patient records, guidelines, and treatment plans to determine effectiveness in meeting established standards of care
5. Develops and revises unit policies and procedures for the care of the patient in collaboration with nursing and physician staff as well as other members of the health care team, as applicable

The APP collaborates with physicians, nurses, other members of the health care team, patient and family in the creation of the plan of care (5%) Leadership (variable)
1. Formulates a collaborative plan of care which incorporates health care maintenance, discharge, and follow-up care for the patient
2. Seeks appropriate consultation and makes referrals dependent upon the patient’s health care needs
3. Functions as a clinical consultant to nursing and medical resident staff
4. Participates in the development, review, and evaluation of APRN practice
5. Assists in developing and revising unit policies, procedures, and guidelines for the care of the high-risk infant in collaboration with nursing and other NICU team members
6. Functions as a neonatal clinical consultant to nursing and medical resident staff. 
7. Identifies ethical dilemmas involved in the evaluation and management of the high-risk infant

Actively involved in maintaining professionalism in the APP role (5%) Professionalism (variable)
1. Promotes and contributes to evidence-based clinical practice for the care of patients and families through the review, integration of research findings and the generation/publication of nursing research 
2. Keeps knowledge base current by reading professional literature and attending educational programs
3. Promotes collaborative relationships with all health care colleagues
4. Adheres to and promotes compliance with hospital and departmental policies
5. Addresses APP scope of practice issues and professional regulations
6. Identifies legal components of advanced practice neonatal nursing
7. Identifies mechanisms to determine the future direction and advancement of the APP role
8. Participates in professional organizations/activities
9. Participates in NICU committees, councils, and taskforces

Required:

Preferred:

This is a safety sensitive position and subject to pre-employment screening (criminal background, drug testing, and/or education verification). A criminal conviction or arrest pending adjudication alone shall not disqualify an applicant except as provided by law. Any criminal history will be evaluated in relationship to job responsibilities and business necessity.  The information obtained in these reports will be used in a confidential, non-discriminatory manner consistent with state and federal law. 

 

UAMS is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer of individuals with disabilities and protected veterans and is committed to excellence. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact us by telephone at (501) 686-6432 and let us know the nature of your request. We will only respond to messages left that involve a request for a reasonable accommodation in the application process. We will accommodate the needs of any qualified candidate who requests a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).