[ARNPCare] April/May 2014

Mon May 19 21:29:40 PDT 2014

Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner Care
Official Newsletter of ARNPs United of Washington State
Volume 25(3) April-May 2014
Articles
Jobs
CE
Service Ads
Meetings
Photo of the Month
Ad & Publication Information
Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Program Restored

The Health Care Authority has restored coverage under the federal Breast & Cervical Cancer Treatment Program (BCCTP) effective April 1, 2014. The restored Apple Health BCCTP program provides treatment for women diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer by the Department of Health, which performs screening for breast, cervical and colon cancers.

Starting April 1, the Health Care Authority began accepting applications for the federal treatment program from women who have been diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer by the Department of Health screening program. Women must be eligible for screening to enroll in the treatment program, and should contact the Department of Health if they have questions about eligibility.

Health Care Authority and the Department of Health will work with regional prime contractors around the state to assist women who want to enroll in either the screening or treatment programs.

For questions contact:

HCA Medical Assistance Customer Service Center 1-800-562-3022 (AskMedicaid at hca.wa.gov) 

Dept. of Health Breast & Cervical Cancer Health Program 1-888-438-2247 (www.doh.wa.gov/bcchp)
Independent ARNPs Where Are You?

AUWS is continuing to work to assemble a comprehensive list of ARNPs practicing in ARNP owned practices. We have a list of approximately 25 practices. If you are in a private practice please send an email to tracy at auws.org and give us information about your practice. Thank you for your help with this project.

Medical Marijuana Survey for Health Professionals

Researchers from the University of Washington have an opportunity to develop and deliver a comprehensive CME program for health care providers regarding the scientific basis, clinical applications, and legal ramifications for using medicinal marijuana to treat chronic pain.

To inform the development of the training and to collect information about current beliefs and practices around medical marijuana, the researchers are inviting healthcare providers in Washington State to complete a one-time 10 minute anonymous survey. Consider sharing your perspective.

For more information and to respond to the survey, click here: http://adai.uw.edu/mcacp/
Nancy’s Stuff 
by Nancy Lawton, MN, ARNP, AANP Washington State Representative & AUWS President

Medicare Durable Medical Equipment (DME)
The requirement for a face-to face encounter with a physician to order Durable Medical Equipment (DME) for our Medicare patients has been delayed. Representative Jim McDermott has proposed legislation to remove the requirement entirely, allowing NPs to order DME. How many of you have had services delayed for a patient, the diabetic needing footwear or an asthmatic needing a nebulizer? If you live in Representative McDermott’s district, send him a note of appreciation for recognizing the role we play in getting our patient’s timely, appropriate care. If you live in another Washington state district, ask your representative to support Representative McDermott’s bill. Use this link to submit your letter http://www.rnaction.org/site/PageNavigator/nstat_take_action_dme.html. If a vendor declines your order based on this rule, contact me at nelawton1 at gmail.com or AANP at governmentaffairs at aanp.org.

VA Full Practice Authority
The VA is requesting that NPs in states that do not allow full practice authority be permitted to practice to the extent of our education and training. We support the complete utilization of NPs everywhere. In Washington, NPs are permitted to affirm patients’ requests for DNR orders and POLST. However, in the VA NPs are restricted from this. We are looking into this, to be sure that full scope of practice means that NPs are permitted the same service to our patients in and out of the VA. To show your support for NPs working in the VA in states that do not recognize full practice submit your letter to http://www.capwiz.com/aanp/issues/alert/?alertid=62990841.

Medicare Home Health, Skilled Nursing or Hospice Order Problems
Why can I not order Home Health Care, Skilled Nursing Services or Hospice Care for our Medicare Patients? Because the rules governing this were written when the Medicare Bill first went into effect in the 1960s. AANP is working to get these rules revised, arguing that health care and communications and transportation have all been updated since the 1960s. Nurse Practitioners did not have independent authority to practice when the rules were written, but we do now. YOU CAN HELP. Send your stories about how the requirement for physician signature creates a barrier to care for your patients and a delay in services to me, and I will forward them to the AANP Advocacy Center. The Advocacy Center also has templates for a letter to send your legislator. It only takes a few minutes, using the links below. To send a letter to your legislator to amend Medicare rules and permit NPs to perform admitting physicals and monthly assessments on patients in Skilled Nursing Facilities, click here: http://www.capwiz.com/aanp/issues/alert/?alertid=62791761
For Home Health Care and Hospice services click here: http://www.capwiz.com/aanp/issues/alert/?alertid=62779806 

Hospital Privileges for ARNPs
In January I visited NP groups in Yakima and in Bellingham. Our colleagues concerns include reimbursement and access to hospital privileging. As private, multi-state corporations buy up rural hospitals, NPs recognition as independent providers is becoming increasingly restricted. Nurse Anesthetists are limited in what services are provided because we are not permitted to serve on hospital boards. Anesthesiologists on those boards write institutional rules limiting the scope of the CRNAs practice. NPs who once worked as hospitalists but became primary care providers are not allowed to read the hospital records of a patient once that patient is admitted. Again, restrictions on NPs serving on hospital boards impose these boundaries. NPs in Yakima have made multiple attempts to remove this barrier, with no success as yet. We know that in 2012 the NPs of Providence St. Peter Hospital in Olympia  were included as full members of the hospital staff. Please share with us any resources that could be of value to the Yakima NPs.

Premera Reimbursement Issue
Premera has still not paid NPs what they are owed for materials and supplies provided to patients between March 1 and May 1 of 2013. During that time NPs ordering tests or providing equipment such as IUDs were reimbursed at 85% of cost. The Office of the Insurance Commissioner instructed Premera that this was a violation and ordered them to reimburse fully for those items. Premera did so proactively, but NPs have not recovered the costs lost during those two months. I am willing to support efforts to recover those claims, but NPs affected need to itemize what was billed for and what they were reimbursed during that period. Please contact me if this affects you, nelawton1 at gmail.com.

I am eager to hear your stories from other regions of Washington, to get a better idea of how we at ARNPs United can support and assist you. 
Code of Ethics for Nurses Open for Public Comment

The revised Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Statements is now open for public comment. Please broadly promote this opportunity to provide feedback on the Preface and nine Provisions. ANA would encourage the commenter to read the revised document in its entirety before posting comments. This will help with understanding the flow and how the content is arranged under the nine provisions. The comment period is open until June 6, 2014. Go to NursingWorld.org to access the public comment space.
HRSA: More NPs Working in Primary Care

About 47% of licensed nurse practitioners who graduated since 2008 are working in primary care, according to a 2012 survey released recently by the Health Resources and Services Administration. That’s up from 42% of those who graduated between 2003 and 2007, reversing a two-decade decline, the agency said. About 32% of licensed NPs in 2012 practiced in physician offices and 32% in hospital settings.
About 94% of the NP workforce held a graduate degree, the majority a master’s degree in nursing. “We are encouraged by the national growth of primary care nurse practitioners, and HRSA is committed to continuing this trend to ensure an adequate supply and distribution of nurses for years to come,” said HRSA Administrator Mary Wakefield, R.N., meeting with nursing groups in observance of National Nurses Week.

Job Opportunities

Geriatric ARNP Position in Wenatchee Valley, WA

Confluence Health / Wenatchee Valley Medical Center in North Central Washington is seeking a Geriatric ARNP to provide on-going, high quality care to nursing home patients and in-home patients. Strong IM background, geriatric/nursing home and home visit experience preferred.

Confluence Health was formed in 2013 as an affiliation between the Wenatchee Valley Medical Center and Central Washington Hospital to create an integrated, regional healthcare delivery system with 2 hospitals, multi-specialty care in 30+ service lines and primary care with rural outreach in ten communities across North Central Washington state. Over 225 physicians and 100 advanced practice clinicians serve an area of approximately 12,000 square miles and cover nearly every corner of this region through specialty outreach.

We are located in the heart of Washington State and just 2.5 hours east of Seattle. Our region offers a diversity of recreational opportunities in breathtaking landscapes, from alpine country to the high desert, orchards to vineyards, cross country skiing to fly fishing and everything in between. Cycling, mountain biking, rafting, hiking; it is all right here. The region also offers a family friendly environment with good schools and opportunities for the entire family to be involved in culture and arts.    

To learn more about our organization and area, please visit our website at: www.ConfluenceHealth.org/Recruiting. To speak with a Recruiter, please call (509)667-7398. To apply, please submit your CV to JoinUs at wvmedical.com.

ARNP Positions in Seattle, WA
Gastroenterology & Interventional Pain Management

PMC is a network of 9 outpatient clinics providing primary and specialty care to the greater Seattle area, employing over 160 providers and 600 staff.  The individuals we care for are culturally and clinically diverse, creating a stimulating and rewarding workplace.  Our strong team environment and mission allows us to provide friendly services that focus on the highest quality patient care.  We invite you to join our company!

GI ARNP – Seeking an Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner  with three or more years clinical GI practice experience (preferred) to work with our team of four GI providers.  Specific responsibilities include: initial and follow-up consultations, patient and family education, and coordination of treatment with physicians as needed.  

Interventional Pain Management – Seeking an experienced Advance Registered Nurse Practitioner to work part-time (approximately four days/week) with our Pain Medicine Anesthesiologists. The ideal candidate will have three or more years’ experience in interventional pain or be willing to be trained. Additional background in psychology, neurology or neurosurgery would be beneficial. The Pain Medicine clinic features state-of-the-art equipment and innovative procedures and is focused on providing interventional pain management for chronic pain patients. 

Specific responsibilities include: • Assist physician with outpatient consults • Perform routine outpatient follow-up visits • Coordinate patients sent to the clinic solely for image-guided pain management procedures • Provide patient and family education • Perform basic office procedures such as joint and trigger point injections • Program spinal cord stimulation systems • Participate in call schedule.  NOTE: This clinic rarely performs inpatient pain consults or procedures. Medication refills are a very small part of the practice volume.

Both positions will be based at our First Hill Clinic with some travel required.  The successful candidates will have a proven track record of growth, learning, and self-development. Requirements include Washington  ARNP license, and DEA certificate.

Seattle presents breathtaking scenery, performing arts, exquisite dining, world-class shopping, quality schools and unique attractions. Take advantage of outdoor recreation over four seasons with no state income tax, and you have something to please everyone in your family. PMC’s competitive salary and benefits package will support and enhance a lifelong career. 

For more information, please contact: Deborah Atkins, Medical Staff Recruiter; Toll Free:  888.901.1122; Email: DeborahA at pacmed.org 

ARNP – All shifts

Can you remember when everything seemed new? It can again.

There's something new waiting for you at Fairfax Behavioral Health. Plans are underway for the expansion of our hospital in Kirkland and our brand new Everett location. So it's no coincidence that we are also pursuing the area's finest behavioral health professionals to become an integral part of our team.

The addition of nearly 100 beds between our two highly desirable locations means that we will be adding over 100 new positions. One of them could be awaiting you. So apply today and start building your new future.

Multiple opportunities for ARNPs are available:
•  The ARNP Intake Clinician is responsible for screening referrals and authorizing admissions for inpatient and partial hospitalization services. They provide information regarding other community services as needed, and are in integral member of the medical staff.
•  Clinical ARNP positions both at Kirkland and Everett perform patient admission evaluations and work-ups; patient rounding opportunities.
•  ARNP FNP contracted positions for the medical screening and medical management of our patient population at both Kirkland and Everett sites.

What You Need to Succeed:
•  Minimum of one year experience in medical or mental health setting is preferred
•  Nurse Practitioner or PA from an accredited program
•  Psychiatry credential preferred for Intake and Clinical ARNPs
•  Washington State ARNP or PA licensure with CPR and Handle with Care certifications obtained at the facility.
•  Contracted ARNP positions requires FNP with 5 plus years experience preferred

Generous Benefits Portfolio:
Fairfax Behavioral Health offers an excellent time off plan, medical, dental, vision, employee assistance program, life and long term disability benefits and 401(k) plan for full time and part time employees. Company sponsored fitness membership discount, $3.00 meal tickets, and no parking fees are among some of the additional benefits also available to our employees.

Take the next step in becoming a part of our growing team. Apply online at: www.FairfaxBehavioralHealth.com. Click on Careers in the upper right corner.

Not ready yet to apply? We can keep you in the loop at
https://successcom.wufoo.com/forms/not-ready-yet/
EOE, m/f/d/v
Opening for an ARNP

Busy family practice in Bellevue seeks experienced ARNP.
Salary DOE.    Benefits negotiable.     Great patients!
Choice location near Overlake Hospital.   
Email resumes to medicalartsps at msn.com
CE Opportunities
Pacific Northwest National Advanced Practice in Primary & Acute Care
Save the date for this annual conference by UW CNE. This year it will be October 9-11, 2014. 
Service Ads
Interested in Mentoring the Next Generation of ARNPs?

Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, WA is looking for preceptors in the south Puget Sound area for the Family Nurse Practitioner program. Your commitment requires a minimum of 1 day a week for a semester. We need preceptors Fall (Sep to Dec), Spring (Feb to May) and Summer (May to August) semesters. If interested, please contact Dr. Lorena Guerrero at guerrelc at plu.edu or call (253) 535-7374.

Meetings
Puget Sound Nurse Practitioners Association

Join us! Puget Sound Nurse Practitioners Association is a non-profit
organization supporting ARNPs in Puget Sound since 1998. We meet
every other month and offer a social hour/networking and a speaker presentation.

Annual dues are $60/$20 for students. $20 per meeting for guests. Apply for membership and find meeting information at http://PSNPA.org

West Sound Advanced Practice Association

Meets the second Thursday of the month. Meetings include networking/dinner/educational session. E-mail Fionafnp at centurytel.net for more information.

Photo of Month

* 
If the trillium have bloomed in the woods spring must have arrived.
photo by Bob Smithing
Ad & Publication Information
ARNP Care Ad Information

Copy deadline is the second Tuesday of the month prior to publication. Ads may be accepted later than this on a space-available basis. Position Available and Continuing Education Ads of less than 66 words are $45, of 66 to 130 words are $75, 131-180 words are $105, and greater than 181 words are $175. Position Available Ads are priced per insertion. Continuing Education Announcements are per offering for up to three (3) consecutive insertions. New Product Announcements per product for one insertion of 130 words or less are $75, more than 130 words are $175. Ad Inserts are $750 for one issue. All ads are subject to space limitations and editing. Call for detailed rate information. Mail copy to ARNP Care, 10024 SE 240th St, #230, Kent, WA 98031. Phone 253.852.9042. Fax 253.852.7725. Email care at nurse.net. 
ARNP Care Editorial Board

Editors:
   Robert T. Smithing, MSN, ARNP, FAANP
   Madeline D. Wiley, MSN, ARNP, FAANP
Contributing Editors:
   Nancy Lawton, MN, ARNP (President)
   Louise Kaplan, PhD, ARNP, FAANP (Legislative Chair)
Production Staff:
   Tracy Kiele, Managing Editor
   Sarah Abid, Production Staff
   NP Central, Publisher

Copyright 2014 NP Central 
ARNPs United of Washington State

Website: www.auws.org
Facebook: facebook.com/ARNPsUnited
Email: au at auws.org
Address:
10024 SE 240th St, #230, Kent, WA 98031
p. 253.480.1035   f. 253.852.7725
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