Nurse Practitioner Resident

Community Health Connections; Gardner, Leominster, Fitchburg (MA, MA, MA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Community Health Connections is seeking a post-graduate Family Nurse Practitioner for a 12-month residency. This program enhances skills and offers mentorship within a community health setting, aiming to prepare practitioners for diverse clinical environments.

The residency involves comprehensive responsibilities, including patient assessments, interdisciplinary collaboration, and community health initiatives, with a commitment to a second year of full-time service following the residency.

Qualifications

• Must agree to a full-time, 12-month residency.
• Commit to a second year of full-time employment.
• Licensed in Massachusetts to practice as a Family Nurse Practitioner.

Responsibilities

• Assess patient’s physical and psychosocial health.
• Diagnose and manage patient illnesses.
• Collaborate with healthcare team members effectively.

Skills

Patient-centered care

Evidence-based medicine

Culturally competent education

Clinical assessment skills

Leadership in healthcare

Education

Master’s or Doctoral Degree as a Family Nurse Practitioner

Massachusetts Licensed Registered Nurse

Certified in CPR/AED

Job description

This 12-month post‑graduate Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) residency provides additional skills training as well as independent mentorship experience in a community health center. The intensive clinical program prepares Family Nurse Practitioners to meet the needs of the culturally diverse and clinically complex patients who are typical of a community health center practice. Following the completion of the residency, the resident agrees to work a second year as a full‑time nurse practitioner at the health center.

Responsibilities

Residency Program Objectives

• Work within their professional scope of practice and demonstrate adequate fund of knowledge in the application of evidence‑based medicine.
• Demonstrate competency by prioritizing acute illness and chronic disease states appropriately, by correctly ordering diagnostic and screening tests, and through safe and effective prescribing of pharmacotherapy, treatments, and procedures.
• Obtain appropriate and relevant history and demonstrate proficient physical exam skills, provide documentation that is organized, concise, thorough, and timely, and maintain an appropriate level of efficiency in clinical practice.

Professional Leadership

• Demonstrate dedication to the CHC multidisciplinary model of providing comprehensive, effective, and compassionate care to all patients, with an expressed focus on our underserved populations.
• Collaborate effectively with colleagues and other multidisciplinary team members, including support staff.
• Delegate appropriately so that all team members function at the fullest scope of their professional practice.
• Provide feedback that is respectful, timely, and constructive.
• Recognize and participate in quality improvement initiatives to improve health systems.

Cultural Competence

• Provide patient‑centered care, recognizing the impact of psychosocial factors.
• Recognize cultural diversity and include the patient as a full decision‑making partner.
• Provide appropriate, culturally competent, and relevant education and instruction within the context of the patient’s health literacy and culture, including anticipatory guidance.

Professional Confidence

• Demonstrate an appropriate level of confidence through commitment to a working diagnosis and plan of care.
• Reflect on and evaluate clinical progress, strengths, and areas for improvement.
• Receive and integrate constructive and respectful feedback to continually improve clinical practice.
• Express needs for professional and clinical growth effectively with colleagues, including supervisors and support staff.
• Operate as a full member of the care team with all the rights, benefits, and responsibilities of CHC staff.

Nurse Practitioner Clinical Responsibilities

• Assess patient's physical and psychosocial health/illness status through history taking and physical examination.
• Practice within the collaborative model with physicians, nurse practitioners, and clinical psychologists.
• Diagnose, manage, and appropriately refer patients with acute, episodic, or chronic illness according to department protocols.
• Order appropriate laboratory and diagnostic tests according to established guidelines.
• Prescribe pharmaceuticals, other medications, and treatment regimens as appropriate to assessed medical conditions.
• Follow established departmental policies, procedures, and objectives, continuous quality improvement objectives, and safety, environmental, and/or infection control standards.
• As appropriate to the position, participate in specified health promotion, education, and/or prevention programs.
• Observe, assess, and record symptoms, reactions, and progress.
• Maintain and follow quality, safety, and/or infection control standards.
• Facilitate and coordinate patient care referrals to specialists and outside agencies.
• Develop and provide educational materials and programs to patients, families, and other healthcare professionals at the Center.
• May participate in approved medical and/or nursing research.
• Participate in defining nursing standards, practices, and educational needs of patient care staff.
• Managing patient care is a team effort that involves clinical and non‑clinical staff interacting with patients.

Requirements and Eligibility

• Applicants must agree to a full‑time, 12‑month residency and commit to a second year of full‑time employment at their employing health center.
• Applicants must be a citizen of the US or a foreign national with a visa permitting permanent residency in the US or a non‑citizen national. Individuals on temporary or student visas are not eligible.
• All applicants are required to go through the full credentialing process prior to starting clinical sessions. This process can take anywhere from 60–120 days.
• Letters of Recommendation and a Personal Statement will be required.

Education and Experience

• Massachusetts Licensed Registered Nurse required.
• Licensed in Massachusetts to practice in the expanded role as a Family Nurse Practitioner required.
• Certified in CPR/AED or equivalent.
• Demonstrated mastery of a specialty area or other related field normally acquired by 3–5 years of progressively responsible nursing experience preferred.
• Master’s or Doctoral Degree and board certification as a Family Nurse Practitioner.
• DEA, MCSR, and NPI # required.

Equal Opportunity Employer
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