ACUTE CARE NURSE PRACTITIONER JOB DESCRIPTION

An Acute Care Nurse Practitioner can be described simply: a licensed clinician who diagnoses, treats, and manages patients with complex or unstable conditions in hospital settings. The role carries prescriptive authority under DEA registration and operates within APRN licensure frameworks that vary by state, meaning the regulatory landscape is not a background detail but a daily operational constraint. Most work happens in close collaboration with attending physicians, interdisciplinary rounds teams, and specialty services, with the NP often serving as the consistent clinical presence across a patient's stay. That continuity is what makes the difference between fragmented episodic encounters and a coherent plan of care.

As the Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, you own the full clinical workup for assigned patients, conducting assessments, ordering and interpreting diagnostics, prescribing medications, and coordinating care plans from admission through discharge. You function within a physician-supervised practice model, working alongside attending physicians, nursing staff, and multidisciplinary teams in inpatient, transitional, or specialty care environments.

Career Impact: Practicing under an ACNP or AG-ACNP certification in a hospital setting establishes a clinical record that carries weight across health systems, credentialing bodies, and advanced specialty tracks.

Business Impact: Timely diagnosis, medication reconciliation, and discharge planning by this role directly reduce length of stay and support patient throughput metrics that hospital operations depend on.

Growth Opportunity: Experience in acute inpatient care opens pathways to specialty practice areas such as trauma, critical care, or surgical services, along with eligibility for preceptorship and clinical leadership roles.

• Conduct comprehensive patient assessments, including history, physical examination, and review of laboratory and diagnostic findings, to establish diagnoses.
• Order, interpret, and act on laboratory tests, imaging, and diagnostic studies for acute and chronic patient populations.
• Prescribe and revise medication regimens within the scope of delegated prescriptive authority and applicable state law.
• Coordinate patient care plans in collaboration with attending physicians, nursing staff, and specialty services from admission through discharge.
• Perform diagnostic and therapeutic procedures for defined patient populations based on credentialed privileges and licensure.
• Prepare admission notes, progress documentation, and preliminary discharge summaries to support care continuity.
• Provide structured patient and family education on diagnosis, medications, and health promotion to support informed decision-making.
• Partner with interdisciplinary teams on quality improvement activities, including safety initiatives and evidence-based practice integration.

• Master's degree in Nursing with a Nurse Practitioner specialization, or completion of a post-master's Nurse Practitioner Certification Program.
• Two or more years of registered nurse or advanced practice clinical experience, with exposure to inpatient or acute care settings.
• Current APRN licensure and Registered Nurse license in the state of practice, with active or eligible DEA registration for prescriptive authority.
• National board certification in an applicable acute care specialty (ACNP, AG-ACNP, or equivalent) from ANCC or AANP.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement individualized care plans using independent clinical judgment under physician-collaborative practice agreements.
• Effective communication skills across patients, families, physicians, and multidisciplinary team members in high-acuity environments.

• Three or more years of nursing experience in an inpatient, emergency, or ICU setting prior to advanced practice.
• Completion of pharmacology coursework of not less than three semester hours, with instruction in federal and state prescription laws.
• Experience serving as a clinical preceptor for Nurse Practitioner students or medical residents in a hospital environment.
• Active BLS and ACLS certification from the American Heart Association at time of hire.

• Average patient panel size rounded per shift, measured against departmental staffing benchmarks.
• Discharge summary completion rate within required timeframes, reflecting documentation throughput.
• Medication reconciliation accuracy rate across patient admissions and transitions, reducing adverse drug event risk.
• Length-of-stay variance for assigned patients relative to the unit average, tracking care coordination efficiency.
• Re-admission rate within 30 days for managed patient populations, indicating care plan durability post-discharge.
• Typical tools: Electronic health record systems (commonly Epic or Cerner); order management and e-prescribing platforms integrated within the EHR.

• Base Salary Range: $110,000 to $140,000 annually, depending on specialty and geography.
• Bonus: Performance or productivity bonus of 5% to 10% of base salary, varies by employer.
• Equity: Not typical; some health systems offer retention or sign-on bonuses.
• Health Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision coverage; employer contribution standard.
• PTO: 18 to 25 days annually, plus CME leave of 3 to 5 days.
• Common Perks: DEA registration reimbursement, CME stipend, malpractice coverage, licensure fee support.

Figures are estimates based on general US market benchmarks and may be outdated. Adjust based on location, company size, and seniority level.

Employment is contingent on successful completion of a background check and, where required by the clinical setting, drug screening. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, and local law. Reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities are available upon request. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States.

The Acute Care Nurse Practitioner owns a broad clinical portfolio spanning admissions, diagnostic procedures, and care plan development for patients with acute and chronic conditions at Forest Hills. Reporting to departmental and multidisciplinary leadership, this position enables improved patient and family outcomes through education, interdisciplinary collaboration, and unit-based quality improvement programs.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform admissions and technical procedures using nursing processes of assessment, diagnosis, treatment, follow-up, and outcome evaluation.
• Develop, implement, and evaluate clinical collaborative practice agreements in the specific clinical area.
• Conduct health assessments of patients and families with acute and/or chronic health problems.
• Initiate referrals to specialty services and foster continuity of care.
• Initiate therapeutic and diagnostic procedures, consultations, and laboratory examinations.
• Prescribe and revise medical regimens and interpret findings and plans of care.
• Provide patient and family education and counseling in health promotion, maintenance, and disease prevention.
• Participate in team meetings and conferences to enhance interdisciplinary primary health care delivery.
• Serve on departmental and multidisciplinary committees influencing policies affecting nursing practice.
• Serve as liaison between patient and community and act as health care advocate.
• Identify quality improvement issues and develop unit-based quality improvement programs and standards.
• Participate in approved medical and nursing research studies.

Required Qualifications

• Master's Degree in a Nurse Practitioner Program.
• Current licensure as a Registered Professional Nurse and Nurse Practitioner in New York State.
• National Board Certification in a specialty area, to be obtained before the next re-credentialing review.
• Completion of a pharmacology component of not less than three semester hours and instruction in New York State and federal laws relating to prescription and record keeping.
• Collaborative practice agreement with a physician and designated protocols filed with the New York State Department of Education.
• Previous experience relevant to the area of clinical practice preferred.

Reporting to physician leadership at the Detroit Medical Center, the Acute Care Nurse Practitioner delivers overnight transition-of-care services including preliminary history and physical examinations, medication reconciliation, and discharge summary preparation for acute and chronic patient populations. Partnering with medical staff, nursing personnel, and interdisciplinary teams, this role supports safe and timely patient throughput while maintaining quality continuity across care settings.

Core Functions

• Perform preliminary history and physical examinations.
• Conduct daily patient visits for routine follow-up.
• Establish initial nursing and medical diagnoses for acute and chronic health care problems with a physician consult.
• Order and interpret laboratory and diagnostic tests.
• Prescribe treatments, including medications, within the scope of delegated prescriptive authority.
• Perform medication reconciliation.
• Prepare preliminary discharge summaries.

Qualifications & Experience

• Licensed as a Nurse Practitioner by the state of Michigan; ACNP or AG-ACNP certification required.
• Eligible to secure a DEA license upon hire as required by position assignment.
• Eligible for approval of privileges through the Detroit Medical Center Medical Staff Organization.
• Six to twelve months of on-the-job training to perform specialty procedures and responsibilities following placement.
• Analytical ability to monitor data, develop treatment plans, and prescribe medications.
• Independent judgment to monitor and respond to changes in patient conditions.
• Basic leadership skills, including decision-making, coaching, teaching, counseling, and the ability to inspire and build confidence in others.
• Good interpersonal skills to effectively communicate with patients, family members, medical staff, and nursing personnel.

Sitting at the intersection of direct patient care and interdisciplinary quality improvement, the Acute Care Nurse Practitioner at Houston Methodist delivers comprehensive diagnosis, treatment, and consultation services while serving as a clinical resource and preceptor for Nurse Practitioner students and medical residents. Operating across physician-supervised care coordination, evidence-based practice integration, and departmental financial strategy, this role advances patient safety outcomes and organizational goals.

Primary Duties

• Provide all aspects of patient care, including diagnosis, treatment, and consultation, while maintaining and promoting patient health.
• Collaborate to foster healthy relationships and serve as a preceptor for Nurse Practitioner students and medical residents.
• Conduct appropriate, timely patient care under physician supervision, focusing on identified expected outcomes individualized to the patient.
• Coordinate patient care between healthcare providers and participate in interdisciplinary rounds.
• Lead and initiate outcome, quality, and safety improvement activities in alignment with organizational goals.
• Conduct health assessments, develop plans of care, initiate appropriate interventions, and evaluate care outcomes.
• Perform invasive, diagnostic, or therapeutic procedures for defined patient populations based on licensure and credentialed privileges.
• Implement departmental strategies to achieve financial targets through timely documentation, decreasing length of stay, and optimizing efficiency.
• Promote quality health care through integration of current research into practice and participation in evidence-based activities.

Skills & Qualifications

• Master's Degree in Nursing.
• Texas RN license and APRN licensure in the State of Texas.
• Certified by ANCC or AANP as a Nurse Practitioner in an applicable specialty area; DEA registration within 6 months of hire.
• Two years of registered nurse, advanced practice, or nurse practitioner clinical experience.
• Prescriptive authority privileges through the State of Texas.
• American Heart Association BLS and ACLS certification required.
• Strong assessment, organizational, and problem-solving skills with the ability to prioritize multiple tasks and use critical thinking and clinical judgment to work autonomously.
• Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members, and co-workers using therapeutic communication and positive language principles.
• Demonstrate leadership as a clinical resource, interprofessional consultant, and patient advocate.

A key member of the clinical team in Texas specialized care settings, the Acute Care Nurse Practitioner leads complex standardized procedures, independent and supervised rounding, and full patient plan-of-care coordination across inpatient units. Collaborating across physicians, nursing staff, and multidisciplinary teams, this role shapes patient safety and care quality through timely evaluation, medication management, and evidence-informed therapeutic decisions.

Duties

• Conduct complex standardized patient care procedures requiring experience and specialized training.
• Perform independent and physician-supervised rounding on the unit.
• Perform patient evaluations and assessments and provide appropriate treatment, including monitoring and ordering medications.
• Coordinate, direct, and implement the patient's plan of care.
• Assist in collecting patient histories, screen for co-morbidities, and provide preventative health care guidance.
• Order appropriate laboratory, diagnostic, and radiographic tests and interpret results.
• Facilitate patient education relating to medical processes, medication, nutrition, and health promotion.
• Assist physicians in formulating therapeutic decisions and maintain appropriate records and charts.
• Respond to emergencies and perform within the scope of practice prescribed by licensure and certification.

Requirements

• Current Texas licensure as a Registered Nurse and as an APRN-NP.
• Current specialty certification as required by department, excluding FNP unless paired with a post-master's certification.
• Master's in Nursing as NP or Master's in Nursing with completion of a post-master's Nurse Practitioner Certification Program.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certified or specialty certification as required by department.
• Previous experience in area of clinical focus preferred.
• Ability to exert up to 50 pounds of force occasionally and up to 20 pounds frequently.

The Acute Care Nurse Practitioner delivers program-based inpatient and outpatient care in Texas, building comprehensive treatment plans through physical examinations, laboratory evaluation, and medical protocol implementation under physician supervision. The clinical and multidisciplinary teams rely on this work to ensure coordinated, culturally informed patient and family education and seamless continuity across specialty services and performance improvement programs.

Accountabilities

• Perform physical examinations and special procedures within the scope of practice.
• Order, interpret, and evaluate laboratory tests and diagnostic studies to identify patient clinical problems and health care needs.
• Implement medical protocols, including diagnosis and treatment of patient conditions under medical supervision.
• Communicate pertinent patient care information and plans to medical, nursing, and multidisciplinary personnel.
• Participate in medical team progress notes, admissions, discharge summaries, and discharge planning.
• Refer patients to physicians or specialized health resources and establish continuity of care as liaison between patient and team.
• Provide patient and family education, counseling, and advocacy addressing cultural, ethical, and legal issues.
• Coordinate care with specialty areas and participate in performance improvement programs.

Experience & Qualifications

• Master's Degree in Nursing with specialization in an appropriate area of clinical practice.
• Current licensure as a Registered Nurse and Advanced Practice Nurse in the State of Texas.
• Current prescriptive authority, including BNE prescriptive ID, DPS, and DEA.
• Minimum of 3 years of nursing experience in the area of clinical focus or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Acute Care NP certification for inpatient areas.
• Family NP or Adult/Pediatric NP certification for outpatient clinics.
• Ability to perform duties independently, meet deadlines, and function as a patient and family advocate.

Successful physician-collaborative patient care in Oklahoma depends on the Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, who performs evaluations through physical exam, patient history, and laboratory review while prescribing medications and supporting complex case consultation in accordance with state laws. Based within a clinical team alongside medical staff and specialty services, this role enables continuity of quality care and effective patient and family education.

Key Deliverables

• Perform patient evaluations through physical exam, patient history, and review of laboratory results in collaboration with physicians.
• Assess patients to assist physicians in determining diagnosis and treatment plans.
• Document information in patient medical records.
• Provide educational information to patients and families regarding the patient's condition as appropriate.
• Consult and collaborate with medical staff and specialty services for complex cases to ensure continuity of quality care.
• Prescribe or administer medications under physician direction and in accordance with Oklahoma State laws.
• Assist with educational activities for staff.

Technical Qualifications

• Knowledge of practices, procedures, and regulatory laws governing nursing and prescription drugs in Oklahoma.
• Good patient assessment and communication skills.
• Knowledge of principles and methods of clinic operation and management.
• Knowledge of proper routes for administering medications and dosage levels.
• Accuracy and ability to exercise considerable judgment.
• Ability to maintain current customer service, clinical, and technical skills.

Acute Care Nurse Practitioner executes comprehensive trauma and acute care services in California, examining and treating patients of all ages for injuries, infections, and illnesses while performing outpatient procedures such as laceration repair and collaborating with Trauma and Critical Care fellows and surgical residents. The work directly supports safe, timely patient management across a high-volume environment through coordinated diagnostic ordering, specialist referrals, and formulation of treatment plans with attending surgeons.

Areas of Ownership

• Examine, diagnose, and treat patients of all ages for acute injuries, infections, and illnesses.
• Counsel and educate patients and families about acute and chronic conditions.
• Document chief complaint, history, review of systems, examinations, medications, allergies, assessment, and plan.
• Perform minor outpatient procedures such as laceration repair, suture removal, and drain removal.
• Formulate diagnostic and treatment plans with attending surgeons.
• Prescribe and administer medications, therapies, and procedures.
• Order lab and imaging tests to determine and manage immediate treatment plans.
• Coordinate care with specialists and appropriate ancillary services.
• Collaborate with Trauma and Critical Care fellows, General Surgery, Emergency Medicine, and Family Practice Residents.

Background & Experience

• Active and unrestricted NP license in California.
• Board Certification and a current DEA certificate.
• Previous experience in nursing, ideally in inpatient and emergency room settings.
• ICU experience preferred.
• Ability to work without direct supervision and practice autonomously when clinically ready.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and round on 20 or more patients per day.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.