Nurse Practitioner – Contracted

childadvocacycenter.org; West Plains (MO); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A child protection organization in West Plains, Missouri, is seeking a Nurse Practitioner to provide trauma-informed care for children suspected of abuse. This role involves conducting medical examinations, collaborating with a multidisciplinary team, and supporting community education on child abuse evaluation. The ideal candidate must be licensed and have pediatric experience, with a commitment to professional ethics.

Qualifications

• Licensed nurse practitioner in Missouri.
• Satisfactory completion of SAFE-CARE training and certification.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Conduct thorough medical examinations for suspected child abuse cases.
• Document findings and participate in MDT meetings.
• Support the Executive Director in developing medical protocols.

Skills

Trauma-informed medical care

Effective communication in court

Team collaboration

Crisis situation management

Education

Family Nurse Practitioner or Pediatric Nurse Practitioner license

One year of pediatric experience

Job description

Nurse practitioners at the CAC play a critical role in the multidisciplinary team responsible for identifying, assessing, and managing cases of suspected child abuse. By providing specialized, trauma-informed examinations, nurse practitioners help children feel safe and comfortable through their strong assessment and communication skills, and demonstrate empathy and compassion while handling these sensitive cases. This position is a contracted position to support our West Plains Center.

Essential Functions

• Works as part of the CAC team, in accordance with the CAC protocols, scope of practice, local and national standards, and Missouri statutes.
• Gathers comprehensive medical and social history from parent or legal guardian and reviews case information from MDT members and other relevant sources.
• Performs sensitive and thorough medical examinations of children for whom there are concerns of child abuse and/or neglect.
• Documents examination via colposcopy and photography if indicated, and accurately details findings and recommendations in the medical report in a timely fashion.
• Participates in pre and post meetings with MDT and family/guardians.
• As a member of Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT), attends MDT meetings when an expert medical opinion is requested or in instances of relevant medical findings.
• Reviews medical records and provides medical consultation as requested by MDT in child abuse/neglect/drug endangerment cases.
• Provides treatment for sexually transmitted infections according to CDC guidelines for STI’s.
• Reviews all diagnostic tests which have been ordered by SAFE-CARE providers at the CAC, follows up as appropriate, and communicates findings to team members and family as indicated.
• Supports the Executive Director and consulting physicians in developing medical protocols, policies, and procedures.
• Participates in quality assurance activities, including peer review of medical providers through participation in CAC provider meetings and through Missouri’s Visual Share quality improvement program.
• Provides education to medical professionals in the community, as well as MDT members, regarding child abuse evaluation.
• Testifies in court, as subpoenaed.
• Completes annual continuing education requirements to maintain status as a licensed advanced practice nurse and a SAFE-CARE provider in Missouri.
• Participates in CAC staff meetings.
• Represents the CAC at community meetings and serves on community work groups, as requested by CAC leadership.
• Participates in monthly SAFE-CARE educational and peer review webinars as time allows.
• Engages in high‑quality, professional practice reflective of the Child Advocacy Center’s policies and procedures, state and federal statutes, accreditation standards, contractual conditions, and established best practices.
• Performs all other duties, as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Other Characteristics

• Ability to provide comprehensive, trauma‑informed medical care to children.
• Knowledge of medical and legal aspects of the forensic medical exam.
• Knowledge of child development, ages birth to 18 years.
• Understanding of complex family dynamics in child abuse.
• Ability to work effectively in crisis situations.
• Ability to work as a skilled team member with CAC staff, volunteers, and MDT members.
• Ability to communicate effectively in court.
• Basic computer skills.
• Ability to work well under pressure to meet deadlines.
• Ability to function harmoniously in a small but busy workplace as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Willingness to accommodate some limited travel and work evenings and weekends, if necessary.

Required Education/Experience/Training

• Licensed as a Family Nurse Practitioner or Pediatric Nurse Practitioner in Missouri.
• One year of pediatric experience.
• Maintains professional degree, certification, and licensure requirements to practice as advanced practice nurse in the state of Missouri.
• Satisfactory completion and documentation of competency‑based training in the performance of child abuse medical evaluation including initial SAFE‑CARE training, annual SAFE‑CARE updates, and any other training as required by certifying body to maintain nurse practitioner certification.
• Obtains and maintains SAFE‑CARE provider status in Missouri.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions if no undue hardship is posed to the company.

• Performs bending, squatting, sorting, kneeling, and reaching to ground level and overhead, as required for tasks such as retrieving files.
• Must be able to perform sensitive and thorough medical examinations.
• Must possess fine and gross motor skills to perform traction, hold small swabs, operate a camera and other equipment, and perform sensitive exams, while avoiding trauma to the child.
• Must be able to hold and grip small objects with manual dexterity as well as lift, grip, carry, push, or pull up to 15 pounds.
• Must be able to climb stairs while carrying objects up to 10 pounds in weight.
• Must possess visual acuity necessary to read and develop CAC materials, review and chart medical records, and examine documents and body parts via colposcopy and photography, as well as operate a computer and read text messages.
• Must be able to hear and speak well enough to communicate in person and by telephone.
• Must be able to sit or stand for extended periods of time, up to three hours.

Other Requirements

• Satisfactory criminal background investigation and a CA/N screening as a condition of employment/contract.
• Willingness to accommodate limited travel and work evenings, if necessary.
• Must acknowledge and adhere to the CAC’s policies and procedures and must adhere strictly to the highest professional ethics, confidentiality, discretion, and judgment.

Child Advocacy Center (CAC) is an Equal Employment Opportunity

The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed, but are not to be seen as a complete list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel. Also, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of the employer.