(NP) Nurse Practitioner - 138150

UC San Diego Health is a Magnet designated organization, which is a prestigious recognition that applies to only 10% of all U.S. hospitals. Magnet is the "gold standard" for nursing excellence and is based on strengths in five key areas, which include transformational leadership, structural empowerment, exemplary professional practice, new knowledge, innovation and improvements and empirical outcomes. UC San Diego Health has held its Magnet status since 2011.

UC San Diego Health is San Diego County's only academic health care system. Both Hillcrest Medical Center and UC San Diego Health La Jolla are Joint Commission-certified Comprehensive Stroke Centers, with Hillcrest among the earliest institutions in the United States to receive this designation. Stroke care across UC San Diego Health-including Hillcrest Medical Center, UC San Diego Health La Jolla, and Thornton Hospital-is delivered by an integrated, system-wide Stroke Center team. The program includes fellowship-trained vascular neurologists, endovascular neurosurgeons, and neurocritical care specialists, supported by a large regional telestroke network and a dedicated stroke clinical research infrastructure. UC San Diego Health also serves as an NIH StrokeNet Regional Coordinating Center, reflecting its national leadership in multicenter clinical trials and translational stroke research.

For the UCSD Stroke Center, the Advanced Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP) will expand all facets of clinical stroke care in the medical facilities and contribute to all teaching and research missions. Under general supervision of the Director of the Neurovascular Stroke Care Service and other designated practitioner team members, the incumbent will coordinate and provide nurse practitioner support as a key member of the Neurovascular inpatient stroke service. As an integral member of the team, the Vascular Neurology Nurse Practitioner works directly with the clinical faculty, fellows, residents and staff to provide the highest-level neurovascular stroke care to patients in an evidence-based academic practice in house and via telestroke. Responsibilities will include the medical management of complex ischemic stroke, intracerebral hemorrhage, post thrombectomy, and other vascular neurology-related diagnoses within the hospitals.

The ACNP predominantly functions on the various inpatient stroke wards and inpatient consult services to provide continuity of care and the highest degree of evidence-based stroke management for a diverse population of patients. Further duties will include acutely evaluating, treating, and managing acute "Stroke Code" patients in the Emergency Departments of these facilities - for the purposes of thrombolytic, embolectomy, and research treatment decision-making. The ACNP will evaluate, diagnose, treat, and manage stroke patients and interpret relevant lab and imaging studies with oversight appropriate to scope of practice, and experience. The ACNP will contribute to the teaching and research missions embedded within the program. Develops and provides education to Nurse Practitioner students, nurses, medical students, interns, residents, and fellows. Functions as liaison to counselors, social workers, research nurses, other clinical support staff, and family members of the stroke patient. Assists in orientation and training of residents, and develops and implements policy and procedures related to the management of stroke patients. Performs other duties as assigned.

• Must be a graduate from an accredited nurse practitioner program -California Registered Nurse (RN) license, California Nurse Practitioner (NP) license, and Furnishing License Certification.

• Current Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (NP) Certification (AGACNP or ACNP).

• Must have BLS/CPR and ACLS certification at time of hire with commitment to get ART within 6 months of hire date.

• Minimum two (2) years licensed Nurse Practitioner experience. Experience must include inpatient critical care experience.

• Demonstrated experience or working knowledge of stroke or neurovascular patient care.

• Strong theoretical background in anatomy, physiology, neurosciences general medicine, pulmonary, emergency or critical care medicine, management of common diseases, concepts of medicine and surgery, pharmacology, or counseling techniques and interpersonal dynamics.

• Demonstrated ability to perform initial history and physical examination, identify major medical problems, and formulate appropriate plans of action.

• Demonstrated ability to maintain detailed medical information in an organized and easily retrievable manner using online medical systems such as EPIC.

• Demonstrated ability to analyze and interpret data in a meaningful and accurate manner.

• Demonstrated skills to operate appropriate medical equipment, i.e., monitors, electrocardiograph machines, digital read-out equipment, and medical computer systems. Ability to be trained in the use of specialized medical equipment.

• Knowledge to instruct housestaff, medical students, physicians, nurses, and other medical personnel in all aspects of surgical care.

• Demonstrated experience to assess the daily status and progress of patients, and accurately report findings to the physician in-charge and other medical care personnel associated with the patient.

• Excellent writing skills to prepare clear and concise medical reports, laboratory data and progress notes as well as policies, procedures and protocols for patient care management.

• Excellent time and project management skills. Proven ability to serve a large volume of patients rapidly and effectively on a walk-in or appointment basis within set time limits.

• Demonstrated experience to write accurate orders regarding execution of inpatient or outpatient plans of treatment.

• Demonstrated experience to properly and compassionately counsel patients and families, particularly in delicate or death and dying situations.

• Excellent communication skills that facilitate professional, effective, and courteous interaction with a diverse population. Proven ability to maintain confidentiality and follow strict HIPAA guidelines.

• Exceptional interpersonal skills including tact, diplomacy and flexibility. Ability to work independently and/or in a team framework, and in an environment that interacts with a diverse population of patients, families, physicians, and colleagues.

• Demonstrated fluency in oral and written communications in both English and Spanish.

• Experience in performance of clinical research trials.

• Experience and knowledge of clinical and ancillary services within the UCSD Medical Center.

• CITI certification in HIPAA, Human Subjects, and Good Clinical Practice and other clinical trial protocol trainings.

• Training and/or certification of experience in the clinical management of Stroke Neurology patients.

• This role rotates regularly between the Hillcrest and La Jolla location.

• Some weekend and holiday inpatient and rounding responsibilities are included. Overtime may be required as well as a changing schedule

• Employment is subject to a criminal background check.

• Employment is subject to pre-employment physical for those who work in clinical settings and/or with patients.