Provides health care services to members under direction and responsibility of physician.
Essential Functions:
- Examines patient, performs comprehensive physical examination, and compiles patient medical data, including health history and results of physical examination.
- Administers or orders diagnostic tests, such as x-ray, electrocardiogram, and laboratory tests, and interprets test results for deviations from normal.
- Performs therapeutic procedures such as injections, immunizations, suturing and wound care, and managing infection.
- Develops and implements patient management plans, records progress notes, and assists in provision of continuity of care.
- Instructs and counsels patients regarding compliance with prescribed therapeutic regimens, normal growth and development, family planning, emotional problems of daily living, and health maintenance.
Secondary Functions:
As part of a multi-disciplinary team, the nurse practitioner provides direct care to patients/family members in an ambulatory or inpatient setting in accordance with standardized procedures or in consultation with an attending physician that includes assessment, diagnosis, and the development of a treatment plan.
I. Operating theater:
- Assist in-patient positioning, shaving and prepping.
- Place cervical tractor devices and manage halo ring/vest assembly, arrange for pre-op MR/CT imaging for Stealth Frameless Stereotactic System, assist in using Stealth Frameless Stereotactic System to plan operative approach, first assisting opening and closing craniotomies and intraspinal procedures, first assist in microsurgical procedures, close routine craniotomies and intraspinal incisions, set up CSF draining systems and write routine post-op orders.
II. Inpatient care:
- Manage post-op wound care, manage halo and other orthotic devices, arrange for protocol post-op imaging studies and coordinate with pediatric anesthesia, make rounds with surgeon, write orders, and share inpatient responsibilities with other physician extenders and pediatric neurosurgery social worker, perform procedures under written guidelines overseen by MD supervisor, i.e., LP, ventricular tap, shunt tap, remove and adjust halo devices, ventriculostomy changes in care, instill antibiotics into ventriculostomies, perform flexion/extension C-spines.
- See new inpatient consultations.
- Perform patient discharge in conjunction with social worker, pharmacist, and physical therapist; dictates discharge and transfer summaries in a timely manner.
III. Outpatient functions:
- See new patients, follow up patients and perform pre-operative history and physicals in clinic independently following pre-set protocols or with direct MD supervision.
- Provides patient and family with pre-operative and other pertinent education.
- See consults from emergency room referrals and discuss disposition with MD.
- Coordinate radiographic procedures and communicate with radiologist and family, manage outpatient wound care.
- Teamwork and communication skills needed to develop positive working relationship with surgeons, clinic OR and hospital staff.
IV. General:
- Act as liason interacting/interfacing with other physicians, pediatricians, nursing staff, social workers and families on both the inpatient and outpatient setting.
- Answer telephone calls, pages, and messages from patients and families.
- Triages clinical questions/concern calls and facilitates discussion/exchange of clinical information between staff, patients and neurosurgeons.
- Managing NorCal Clinical Applications including e-Chart, e-Consult, e-RX/e-Refill and CIPS Inbox.
- Participates in Tumor Board discussion and case presentation and conducts inservices for Inpatient/Outpatient staff.
- Other PA scope of practice duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
Basic Qualifications:
- Graduate of an approved Physician Assistant training program approved by the National Commission of Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA).
- Licensed as a Physician Assistant by the Medical Board of California (M.B.C.) and the Physician Assistant Examining Committee (P.A.E.C.).
- BLS certification required.
- Must have a Nat'l Provider Identifier (NPI), or obtain an NPI, prior to employment start date.
- May be required to possess specialty skills in order to perform tasks required by the specific department (e.g. Neurosurgery, Orthopedics, etc.).
- Must be able to work in a Labor/Management Partnership environment.
Preferred Qualifications:
- DEA certificate preferred.
- Previous experience as a physician assistant preferred.
- Experience in Neurosurgery preferred.
- Intra-operative experience as first assistant for spinal and other major operations.
- Ability to make complete, accurate patient assessments and to document completely, accurately, concisely and legibly.
- Possess good organizational skills, flexibility, and the ability to work well under pressure.
- Willingness to accept and incorporate constructive criticism and direction.
- Strong oral and written communication skill, including excellent telephone technique.
- Demonstrated strong clinical and leadership skills and the ability to make good, independent decisions.
- Demonstrated current knowledge of medication dosage and side effects.
- Willing to work overtime (compensated).
External hires must pass a background check/drug screen.
We are proud to be an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.