With five decades of experience, Shepherd Center provides world-class clinical care, research, and family support for people experiencing the most complex conditions, including spinal cord and brain injuries, multi-trauma, traumatic amputations, stroke, multiple sclerosis, and pain. An elite center ranked by U.S. News as one of the nation’s top hospitals for rehabilitation, Shepherd Center is also recognized as both Spinal Cord Injury and Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems. Shepherd is the only rehabilitation facility in the nation with an intensive care unit on-site, allowing us to care for the most complex patients and begin the rehabilitation process sooner. Shepherd Center treats thousands of patients annually with unmatched expertise and unwavering compassion to help them begin again.
Shepherd Center's culture is one of hope, humor, and hard work. You will enjoy career growth, strong relationships with co-workers, strong support from leadership, and fun activities that have kept over 12% of staff members working at Shepherd for more than 20 years.
Provides medical care and treatment to patients in the specialty area of pulmonary/critical care medicine under the supervision of a physician.
- Provides care to patients in all inpatient areas of the Hospital, including the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
- Obtains patient history, conducts patient assessments, orders and interprets tests, including but not limited to laboratory tests, imaging studies EKG and other cardiac studies, diagnoses illnesses, prescribes medicines and outlines and monitors courses of treatment.
- Responds to code rapid and code blue.
- Performs cardiopulmonary resuscitation; airway management including bag and mask ventilation, endotracheal intubation and extubation, changing, positioning and repositioning endotracheal tubes; administration of life supporting drugs according to established protocols; and defibrillation according to Advanced Cardiac Life Support standards.
- Under physician direction and within the credentialing standards of the Hospital, inserts and manages arterial catheters, vascath insertion, dialysis catheters, central and midline venous catheters, paracentesis, chest tubes, thoracenteses, simple I&D of abscesses, nasogastric tube placement, endotracheal tubes, and extraglottic devices.
- Performs and participates in quality/performance improvement activities and clinical research.
- Supports IRB approved clinical research/trials though a variety of activities including but not limited to: obtaining consent; ordering diagnostic tests; recording laboratory and diagnostic results; administering therapeutic interventions; and documenting and reporting patient outcomes including toxicities or adverse events.
- Assesses patients for changes in status and institutes appropriate interventions, including initiation of necessary emergency interventions to stabilize patient.
- Educates patients on the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disorders or diseases.
- Partners with physicians in the development of care plans and advises physician in changes of the patient status.
- Assists patients in the management of acute and chronic illnesses and promotes health and wellness.
- Documents in the patient’s electronic health record in an accurate and timely manner.
- Takes night and weekend shifts on a rotational basis.
- Completes documentation in a timely manner, according to medical staff bylaws, rules & regulations and hospital policy. Documentation includes H&Ps, discharge summaries, progress notes, consult notes, clinic notes and procedure notes.
- Performs consistent with Shepherd Center standards, clinical policies, and procedures.
- Always completes required CME and other relevant requirements to maintain active licensure.
- Practices proper safety techniques in accordance with Center and departmental policies and procedures. Responsible for the reporting of employee/patient/visitor injuries or accidents, or other safety issues to the supervisor and in the occurrence notification system.
- Performs other duties as required/requested/assigned.
Required Minimum Education
- Graduate of a nurse practitioner or physician assistant program from an accredited college or university with a Master’s level degree or higher.
Required Minimum Certification
- Licensed as a Nurse Practitioner/Physician Assistant in the State of Georgia.
- Certified Nurse Practitioner/Physician Assistant.
- BLS and ACLS Certification.
Required Minimum Experience
- Minimum two (2) years’ hospital based critical care experience.
Required Minimum Skills
- Basic computer skills.
- Proficient use of Microsoft Word and PowerPoint.
- Proficient in use of electronic health records.
- Demonstrates competency in time management, organization, prioritization and critical thinking by planning and organizing work assignments and prioritizing the specific needs of the patient.
- Ability to assess patient and family needs and coordinate appropriate plan of care.
- Takes responsibility for growing professionally and seek opportunities for improving skills.
- Communicates effectively using timely verbal, non-verbal and written communication.
- Willingly adapts to changing work demands and work environment.
- Demonstrates critical thinking skills and makes sound judgments to monitor and respond to patient needs or changes in condition.
- Maintains congenial working relationships with others.
- Completes orientation and initial assessment of competency successfully by predetermined due date.
- Completes mandatory education and annual competency assessment requirements by predetermined due date.
Preferred Qualifications
- Previous experience in pulmonary, critical care or emergency medicine.
Required Minimum Education
Required Minimum Certification
Licensed as a Nurse Practitioner/Physician Assistant in the State of Georgia.
Certified Nurse Practitioner/Physician Assistant.
BLS and ACLS Certification.
Required Minimum Experience
Required Minimum Skills
Basic computer skills.
Proficient use of Microsoft Word and PowerPoint.
Proficient in use of electronic health records.
Demonstrates competency in time management, organization, prioritization and critical thinking by planning and organizing work assignments and prioritizing the specific needs of the patient.
Ability to assess patient and family needs and coordinate appropriate plan of care.
Takes responsibility for growing professionally and seek opportunities for improving skills.
Communicates effectively using timely verbal, non-verbal and written communication.
Willingly adapts to changing work demands and work environment.
Demonstrates critical thinking skills and makes sound judgments to monitor and respond to patient needs or changes in condition.
Maintains congenial working relationships with others.
Completes orientation and initial assessment of competency successfully by predetermined due date.
Completes mandatory education and annual competency assessment requirements by predetermined due date.
Preferred Qualifications
Physical Demands
Uses body, tools, or special devices to safely, effectively, and efficiently move, guide, or place patients. Involves some latitude for judgement with regard to precision attained and the selection of what adaptive device(s) to utilize.
Must be able to transfer and position patients, consistent with lifting up to 50 lbs.
Working Conditions
Normal patient care environment.
Some potential for exposure to blood and body fluids.
Some potential exposure to infectious diseases.
