Serves as a credentialed Nurse Practitioner, providing services to adult patients within the Gastroenterology Clinic of a Medical Treatment Facility (MTF). MAJOR DUTIES 1. Performs a variety of professional, direct, clinical healthcare duties within the field of Gastroenterology. Specific duties range from evaluation of routine colon cancer screenings to the management of moderately complex acute and chronic illnesses related to Gastroenterology. Utilizes appropriate ancillary services and consultants, as needed to provide treatment. Records outpatient records to include admission and discharge paperwork and progress notes required by hospital regulations and standards of practice. 2. As part of primary clinical evaluation, takes health and medical history from patients or family members and records findings for the record. Examines patients and performs initial patient work-up and assessment of care and treatment; determines the need for and orders laboratory tests, X-rays and other procedures to include endoscopic evaluation when necessary as well as appropriate referrals to specialties or subspecialties, ensuring a complete patient assessment. Discriminates between normal and abnormal findings to recognize early stages of serious physical, emotional, or mental problems. Provides surveillance of chronically ill patients, adjusting regimens within established protocols, recognizing conditions which require referral to a Gastroenterology Physician. Works collaboratively with physicians in patient management, evaluation and revision of therapeutic plans. Decides on specific methodology based on the needs of patients; refers extremely and selected complex gastroenterological problems for physician management. Diagnoses disease, illness, disorder, or injury, instituting treatment of patients. Seeks advice of appropriate physicians for more serious or uncommon conditions. Prescribes medications and treats a variety of diseases, disorders, and injuries. Treats patients returning for routine or directed follow-up and treatment of chronic illnesses previously documented in medical records. Writes routine orders on outpatients. Orders administration of and dispenses medications and prescribed controlled substance in accordance with approved treatment protocols. Records treatment, progress notes including tests and procedures, and notations of prescriptions and drugs dispensed or administered. Provides consultation, teaching, and coordination with patients and their family members of treatment and medical care. 3. Collaborates with physician advisor regarding management of the most complex gastroenterology patients, such as Inflammatory Bowel Disease, requiring biological therapy or administration of corticosteroid treatment, in evaluating and revising therapeutic plans. Refers unstable patients to physician. Plans with other healthcare professionals and agencies involved in providing services to patients and their families. Coordinates health care, as appropriate. Receives referrals from other healthcare professionals. Documents all observations, plans, treatments, teaching, and other important findings in patient records. Identifies components of the nursing regimen that may be delegated to other nursing personnel. Performs other duties as assigned.