NEW GERMANY - South Shore Health has secured a full-time, permanent replacement for its nurse practitioner at the New Germany and Area Medical Centre.

 Primary health care director Todd Leader confirmed on Friday, the centre will have a full-time, experienced replacement by the beginning of August.

 He said the nurse practitioner will be in full swing in no time. Other details on the replacement were not available.

 "The details are being confirmed now," said Mr. Leader. "We're pretty excited to have gotten this resolved so quickly."

 It was the resignation of nurse practitioner Rob Snelling earlier this month that sent South Shore Health recruiting for a permanent replacement. Mr. Snelling was in the position for about a year.

 In the interim, the district offered a part-time, temporary replacement. But Mr. Leader said the permanent replacement is someone new.

 "We're not losing one of our own to fill this position. This is someone totally new to the district," he added.

 A nurse practitioner is a nurse with specialized skills and knowledge in health assessment and promotion, disease prevention and management of specific health problems.

 The health care provider is able to diagnose and treat certain illnesses, order specific tests, X-rays and ultrasounds and prescribe some medications such as antibiotics and diuretics.

 The practitioners are trained to practice in collaboration with physicians and other health care providers.

 At the New Germany centre, the nurse practitioner will work with family physician Dr. Kory Jollimore.

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posted on 07/27/10