Basic Purpose

Positions in this job family are assigned responsibilities involving providing advanced health care to individuals, families or groups as an advanced or expert clinician. This includes the assessment of individual health, analyzing data to determine medical and nursing care needed, planning a treatment strategy to meet identified needs, and evaluating responses to nursing and medical interventions. This would include positions assigned duties as advanced practice registered nurses, clinical nurse specialists, nurse midwives and certified registered nurse anesthetists as identified in the Oklahoma Nursing Practice Act, Title 59 O.S. Section 567.3a.

Typical Functions

• Provides advanced primary, secondary or tertiary health care for individuals, families or groups at an advanced or expert clinician level; assesses individual health, analyzes data to determine health and nursing care needed, plans a strategy to meet identified health care needs, evaluates responses to interventions and makes changes in care or treatment as needed; identifies and allocates community health care resources or coordinates and evaluates other health resources necessary to meet individual or group needs at the most appropriate level.

•Performs comprehensive physical examinations, secures health histories, performs or orders laboratory tests and conducts other appropriate procedures to assess the health status of patients or clients.

•Reviews and analyzes laboratory tests, x-rays and other diagnostic data; determines diagnoses; prescribes pharmaceuticals within the scope of the program or specialty area assigned; formulates goals and strategies for meeting individual health care needs; consults with physicians or other providers as needed.

•Provides advanced professional expertise and technical assistance to nurses, therapists and ancillary staff in implementing health care strategies and providing for individualized care and treatment within the area of specialization and certification, such as pediatrics, family practice, orthopedics, obstetrics-gynecology or geriatrics; participates in quality assurance activities related to health care services provided by licensed and non-licensed health care members.
 

•Counsels patient, family members and others on health problems, prescribed treatments, use of drugs and other matters; recertifies patients for skilled nursing care under Medicare requirements.

•Provides continuity of an individualized health care program for clients by referring to or collaborating with physicians and other members of the health care team.
 

•Identifies health care needs within the community and makes recommendations to provide comprehensive health care to clients; provides education and training to members of the community and the health care team regarding health care needs.

•Develops and recommends practice standards which pertain to assigned programs; evaluates care outcomes and suggests strategies to improve program delivery; informs local administrators of community health needs and suggests/implements corrective actions to ensure quality of care.

Level Descriptor

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Competencies

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required at this level include knowledge of human anatomy, physiology and chemistry; of medical diagnosis techniques, methods and procedures; of the theory, principles and practices of nursing or health care delivery systems; of ambulatory care; of methods and procedures of laboratory and X-ray and other diagnosis techniques; of pharmaceutical agents, their usage and contraindications; of minor surgical procedures and techniques; of safety and safety practices; and of medical management techniques. Ability is required to conduct physical examinations and health assessments; to provide advanced specialized nursing care; to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others; to instruct and counsel clients; to interview and obtain medical information; to develop of therapeutic programs; to apply emergency and first aid measures; to exercise sound, independent judgment; to analyze complex situations and adopt appropriate courses of action; to successfully diagnose and treat patients; to plan and/or provide educational training to other nursing and allied health providers, and community organizations and groups; and to provide instruction and counseling to individuals, families and groups in preventive or restorative health care.

Education and Experience

Special Requirements