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.

The Nurse Practitioner (NP) works in coordination with medical staff and performs comprehensive and problem focused history and physical exams, interprets and correlates laboratory and diagnostic procedures, and correlates subjective and objective data to formulate a differential diagnosis and establish a working diagnosis. Position conductions hospital rounds, discharge planning, and consultative evaluations. Incumbent works closely with the physician and nursing staff to develop and coordinate a plan of care designed to meet the physical, psychological and social needs of patients and their families. Obtains, compiles, and records patient medical data which may include admission and discharge notes, daily progress notes and results of examination. Implements therapeutic intervention for specific conditions when appropriate. Exercises judgment on problems requiring consultation, referral, or evaluation by the collaborating orthopedic surgeon or other health care professionals. Orders, prescribes, dispenses, and administers medication, orthoses, braces, injections, and other Orthopaedic devices. May perform minor procedures within scope of practice such as wound closure and management and incision and drainage.

Position provides patient education and triage, and facilitates medical documentation and coding, patient forms, and other non-patient facing responsibilities as part of the clinical practice. Nurse Practitioner works in a dynamic environment with a multidisciplinary care team, including social workers, financial representatives, medical assistants, physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and physical/occupational therapists. Position may evaluate, screen, and counsel patients on health maintenance and promote utilization of community resources and design, conduct, and/or participate in research studies, manage databases, and perform quality assurance.

• 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).

• BLS and ACLS certifications at time of hire with commitment to get ART within six months of hire date.

• Two (2) or more years of experience as a licensed Nurse Practitioner with inpatient post-surgical management of Orthopaedic patients. Hospital-based ICU, surgical ICU, recovery room, step down unit, and or ED consult experience as an NP.

• Working knowledge of medical terminology, specializing in hospital medicine and Orthopaedic Surgery.

• Theoretical background in anatomy, physiology, general medicine, pulmonary, emergency and critical care medicine, management of common diseases, concepts of medicine and surgery, therapeutics including pharmacology, counseling techniques and interpersonal dynamics.

• Knowledge of common orthopaedic problems and treatments.

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

• Ability to analyze and interpret date in a meaningful manner.

• Ability to maintain detailed medical information in an organized and easily retrievable manner.

• Knowledge necessary for instructing housestaff, medical students, physicians, nurses and other medical personnel in all aspects of surgical care.

• Ability to properly counsel patients and families, particularly regarding perioperative risks and management.

• Ability to communicate effectively with patients and other health care personnel.

• Ability to maintain good working relationships and communications with physicians in-charge, laboratory personnel, and members of the health care team.

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

• Ability to perform various medical procedures for diagnostic studies and therapeutic modalities.

• Ability to be trained in the use of specialized medical equipment.

• Ability to write orders regarding execution of inpatient and outpatient plans of treatment.

• Knowledge of various types of treatment and modalities necessary for the patients care and well-being and the skill in recording nursing/medical assessment findings accurately and completely.

• Skill at providing clear written, verbal and telephone communication with a wide variety of people.

• Knowledge of medical ethics and law practices, pertaining to medical and medical socioeconomics.

• Knowledge and experience in inpatient care within orthopaedic surgery.

• Experience in total joint replacement, spine surgery, or general surgery.

• May be required to travel and provide care at multiple clinical sites as scheduled for the Department.

• Must be able to obtain UC San Diego Medical Staff privileges and maintain during employment. Due to advanced practice credentialing eligibility, clinical advanced practice experience must be within the last two years gained through school or work experience.

• Overtime, and/or evening schedule may be required intermittently.

• Monday-Friday, 10-hour shifts. No nights, weekends, on-call or holidays.

• Current UCSD NPIII employees may be hired at the NPIII level pending review and approval by Health Human Resources and the UCSD Advanced Practice Council.