Advanced Practice Provider - PRN - Pain Clinic

Job Description Summary
The Advanced Practice Provider (APP) in the Pain Clinic performs comprehensive assessments, diagnoses, orders, conducts, interprets diagnostic and laboratory test, and prescribes pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatments, including ordering/referring to various therapy disciplines and ordering specific therapeutic interventions, including therapy modalities, splinting, assistive devices, adaptive equipment and assistive technology, in the direct management of acute and chronic illness in care of the critically ill patient.

This role promotes health and the prevention of illness and injury, practicing autonomously and in collaboration with other health care professionals to treat and manage patient health issues.

The APP role includes direct patient care; interaction and psychosocial support for families; clinical consultation; research; advocacy activities in support persons served; holistically care for complex patient needs; serves as a member of designated team(s) with the primary responsibility of managing a caseload of patients under the supervision of the supervising Physician.

Three years of relevant experience in pain management is desired.

Job Responsibilities:

• Obtains and documents relevant health and medical history.

• Performs and documents comprehensive, system-focused or symptom specific physical examination.  Performing or ordering preventative/screening and diagnostic procedures/testing based on assessment findings and history.

• Identifies health and medical risk factors.

• Establishes diagnosis/differential diagnosis; utilizes critical thinking in the diagnostic process; collaborates with interdisciplinary health care team in making diagnoses of acute and chronic conditions.

• Utilizes a consistent, patient-focused care approach to meet patient needs and demonstrates initiatives to utilize a holistic approach to identify patient needs.

• Collaborates and supports the plan of care as established by the interdisciplinary team and prescribes interventions to attain the expected outcomes.

• Synthesize and analyze collected data. Orders and evaluates diagnostic studies. May perform diagnostic testing.

• Formulates a differential diagnosis based on history, physical exam and diagnostic test findings.

• Formulates a treatment plan, with the patient/family, that is evidence based, mutually acceptable, and cost aware.

• Prescribes or orders appropriate pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions.

• Develops patient education plans.

• Recommends/requests consultations and/or referrals as appropriate.

• Orders physical therapy, occupational therapy, respiratory therapy, speech therapy, recreation therapy, behavioral health services, nursing services and additional relevant rehabilitation services.

• Reassesses and modifies the plan with the patient and family as needed to achieve health and medical goals

• Obtains informed consent as indicated.

• Initiates arrangements for hospital admissions and discharges; enters appropriate orders in electronic health records.

• Evaluates the patient’s progress toward attainment of the outcomes, working collaboratively with the interdisciplinary healthcare team.

• Maintains accurate, legible and confidential records.

• Completes documentation in a timely manner, according to medical staff bylaws, rules & regulations and hospital policy. Documentation includes H&Ps, discharge summaries, progress notes, consult notes, clinic notes and procedure notes.

• Performs consistent with Shepherd Center standards, clinical policies, and procedures.

• Participates in multidisciplinary team meetings.

• Always completes required CME and other relevant requirements to maintain active licensure.

• Practices proper safety techniques in accordance with Center and departmental policies and procedures. Responsible for the reporting of employee/patient/visitor injuries or accidents, or other safety issues to the supervisor and in the occurrence notification system.

• Supports IRB approved clinical research/trials though a variety of activities including but not limited to: obtaining consent; ordering diagnostic tests; recording laboratory and diagnostic results; administering therapeutic interventions; and documenting and reporting patient outcomes including toxicities or adverse events.

• Performs and participates in quality/performance improvement activities and clinical research.  

• Serve on hospital committee(s).

• Practices proper safety techniques in accordance with Center and departmental policies and procedures. Responsible for the reporting of employee/patient/visitor injuries or accidents, or other safety issues to the supervisor and in the occurrence notification system.  

• Monitors and ensures compliance with all regulatory requirements, organizational standards, and policies and procedures related to area of responsibility. Identifies potential risk areas within area of responsibility and supports problem resolution process.

Required Minimum Education

• Graduate of a nurse practitioner or physician assistant program from an accredited college or university with a Master’s level degree or higher.

Required Minimum Certification

• Licensed as a Nurse Practitioner/Physician Assistant in the State of Georgia.
• Certified Nurse Practitioner/Physician Assistant.
• BLS and ACLS Certification.

Required Minimum Experience

• Minimum two (2) years’ experience in a physician’s office or hospital setting preferred.  

Required Minimum Skills

• Basic computer skills.
• Proficient use of Microsoft Word and PowerPoint.
• Proficient in use of electronic health records.
• Demonstrates competency in time management, organization, prioritization and critical thinking by planning and organizing work assignments and prioritizing the specific needs of the patient.
• Ability to assess patient and family needs and coordinate appropriate plan of care.
• Takes responsibility for growing professionally and seek opportunities for improving skills.
• Communicates effectively using timely verbal, non-verbal and written communication.
• Willingly adapts to changing work demands and work environment.
• Demonstrates critical thinking skills and makes sound judgments to monitor and respond to patient needs or changes in condition.
• Maintains congenial working relationships with others.
• Completes orientation and initial assessment of competency successfully by predetermined due date.
• Completes mandatory education and annual competency assessment requirements by predetermined due date.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience with patients with Spinal Cord Injury, Traumatic Brain Injury, and/or behavioral health preferred.
• For Night APP, 3 years of critical care or inpatient hospital medicine experience.

Physical Demands

• Uses body, tools, or special devices to safely, effectively, and efficiently move, guide, or place patients. Involves some latitude for judgement with regard to precision attained and the selection of what adaptive device(s) to utilize.
• Must be able to transfer and position patients, consistent with lifting up to 50 lbs.

Working Conditions

• Normal patient care environment.
• Some potential for exposure to blood and body fluids.
• Some potential exposure to infectious diseases.

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The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this classification.  They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by the personnel so classified.