Advanced Practice Clinician: Mobile Community Medicine

Appalachian Mountain Health (AMH) is a Federally Qualified Health Center (CHC) that provides comprehensive primary care to low-income, medically underserved and uninsured populations. AMH’s mission - to provide culturally competent, high quality healthcare to the medically vulnerable population in western North Carolina - is rooted in a primary care and preventive services medical home model with fees for services adjusted on the basis of a patient’s ability to pay.

GENERAL SUMMARY

An exempt position responsible for providing primary care services, including assessing, diagnosing, prescribing, treating and educating patients. Works closely with physicians, advanced practitioners, clinical and administrative support staff in a team-based approach to patient care. May specialize in a specific type of clinical care (e.g. pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, geriatrics).

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assessing patient status by obtaining health history through patient and/or family interviews and chart reviews, evaluating presenting illness, risk factors, family history, psychosocial, economic and cultural factors and performing appropriate physical examination. Seeking other information as needed, including consultation with physicians and other clinicians, for evaluation of illness. Integrating data to determine diagnosis and therapeutic plan, including identification of any health risks
• Providing culturally and linguistically appropriate education and counseling to patients and their families/caregivers
• Ordering and performing appropriate diagnostic laboratory and other screening tests
• Developing and implementing a treatment plan, including prescribing and/or dispensing medications and injections in compliance with best medical practice and applicable state and federal regulations
• Preparing documentation for the Electronic Health Record (EHR), including progress notes, diagnostic laboratory and radiology results, medications, diagnoses and treatment plan(s)
• Collaborating with other members of the care team to manage the acute and long-term health needs of the patient
• Facilitating and participating in shared decision making with patients, providing health education and promotion and recommending or referring patients to appropriate community resources to address social determinants of health
•  Participating in the peer review process and other quality assurance and improvement activities as directed by the Chief Medical Officer and Clinical Director
• Promoting continuity of care between visits according to the patient’s treatment plan, including triaging patient calls
• Depending on the organizational structure, supervising clinical support staff, including nurses and medical assistants
• Working with Community Medicine sites and partnerships to provide collaborative and comprehensive care
• Community Medicine sites include, but not limited to: Salvation Army, Compass Point, Transformation Village, Public housing and Mays Care Center.

KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS

• Knowledge of advanced practice, including anatomy and physiology, pathophysiology, pharmacology and therapeutics, nutrition, behavioral and psychosocial factors, diagnostic testing, interpretation of results and clinical decision making and alternative treatment modalities
• Knowledge of medical equipment and instruments used in the administration of patient care
• Knowledge of occupational health and safety standards and health care regulations
• Knowledge of health promotion, risk identification and best practices in patient education
• Knowledge of professional, community and educational resources
• Exercises a high degree of initiative, judgment, discretion and decision-making
• Ability to work effectively with a diverse staff and demonstrate equity in working with other clinicians, clinical support and administrative support staff
• Ability to analyze complex data and draw conclusions
• Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, including interviewing patients, presentations, consultations, facilitation and documentation (e.g. progress notes, referrals, orders, patient education materials)
• Ability to interpret, adapt and apply policies and procedures
• Effective management of multiple duties and responsibilities in a clinical setting
• Demonstrates respect, dignity and empathy with patients
• Flexibility in a rapidly growing and changing work environment
• Demonstrates cultural competency with many different patient populations

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Degree from an accredited graduate education program for Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant
• Satisfactory completion of graduate education program clinical rotations
• Current, unrestricted North Carolina license to practice as a Physician Assistant or Nurse Practitioner
• Current Controlled Substance Registration Certificate from the Drug Enforcement Administration
• All clinicians are expected to maintain current Basic Life Support (BLS) during employment with AMH.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience working with racially and ethnically diverse populations, low-income populations and people experiencing homelessness
• At least one year of experience in a primary care setting functioning at the full extent of training and licensure
• Experience with Practice Management systems or EHR
• Prior work in performance or quality improvement
• Proficiency in Spanish
• PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING CONDITIONS
• Full range of motion, including manual and finger dexterity and eye–hand coordination, and near vision
• Standing and walking frequently and occasionally lifting and carrying items weighing up to 50 pounds
• Frequent exposure to communicable diseases, biohazards, toxic substances, ionizing radiation, medicinal preparations and other conditions common to a clinical setting
• Possible occasional travel within western North Carolina

Compensation will be commensurate with experience and education. The position is full-time (40 hours per week), salaried and exempt from some provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The position will be eligible for benefits (e.g. medical, dental, life, short- and long-term disability, retirement) and report to the Chief Medical Officer for clinical supervision and Clinical Director for administrative supervision.

AMH is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and encourage applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, age, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, citizenship, disability or veteran status.