ADVANCED PRACTICE PROFESSIONALS – Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R), Pediatrics Nurse Practitioner (85001) or Physician Assistant (85101)

WVU Medicine

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Advanced Practice Professional (APP) provides high-quality, patient-centered care as a member of the interdisciplinary healthcare team in pediatric physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R). The APP uses coordination and clinical skills to comprehensively manage pediatric PM&R patients, including biological, social, and psychological assessment. The role coordinates relevant medical and surgical specialty teams, develops and reviews plans of care with the clinical team, participates in directing care, performs diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, and coordinates follow-up and discharge planning as applicable. The APP also contributes to the education of residents and medical and nursing students. The APP manages individualized care for pediatric PM&R patients and families in ambulatory settings and, as applicable, completes rounds, consultations, and pre-procedural or surgical evaluations. The APP assesses patients, orders tests or consultations in collaboration with PM&R faculty or under established guidelines and protocols, performs and communicates diagnostic tests within the applicable scope of practice, documents clinical findings, coordinates services and follow-up, identifies complex or unstable situations, and initiates emergency care when needed. The position also includes patient and staff education, clinical leadership and quality improvement, interdisciplinary collaboration, participation in committees and research, and review of clinical and operational data. The role may be filled by a Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant. Nurse Practitioner qualifications include a master's degree from a CCNE-accredited nursing program, national APRN certification, West Virginia RN and APRN licensure or eligibility, and American Heart Association BLS certification. Physician Assistant qualifications include a bachelor's degree as a Physician Assistant, graduation from an ARC-PA-approved program, NCCPA certification, West Virginia licensure or eligibility, and American Heart Association BLS certification. Additional Advanced Life Support training may be required at the department's discretion. Pediatric PM&R experience is preferred, and eligible new graduates will be considered. The position is based in Morgantown, West Virginia, with 40 scheduled weekly hours.

Requirements

For Nurse Practitioners: graduate from a CCNE-accredited nursing program with a master's degree in nursing.
For Nurse Practitioners: national certification by a recognized APRN certification center.
For Nurse Practitioners: West Virginia Registered Nurse and Advanced Practice Registered Nurse licensure or eligibility for licensure.
For Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants: American Heart Association BLS certification; additional Advanced Life Support training may be required at the department's discretion.
For Physician Assistants: bachelor's degree as a Physician Assistant.
For Physician Assistants: graduation from an ARC-PA-approved Physician Assistant training program.
For Physician Assistants: certification by the National Commission for Certification of Physician Assistants.
For Physician Assistants: licensure or eligibility for licensure by the West Virginia Board of Medicine or West Virginia Board of Osteopathic Medicine.
Proficiency with computers.
Strong communication skills.
Ability to meet the role's physical demands, including lifting, moving, stooping, reaching, positioning patients, standing, walking, and carrying patients, materials, and equipment weighing 40 or more pounds.

Nice To Haves

Pediatric physical medicine and rehabilitation patient experience.
Eligible new graduates will be considered.
Family Nurse Practitioners are preferred; Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioners will also be considered.
A master's-level degree as a Physician Assistant is preferred.

Responsibilities

Manage comprehensive, individualized care for pediatric physical medicine and rehabilitation patients and their families in the ambulatory setting.
Complete daily rounds as applicable, consultations, and pre-procedural or surgical evaluations.
Complete integrated assessments and succinct comprehensive clinical evaluations, documenting findings in medical records.
Collaborate with PM&R faculty or follow established clinical guidelines and protocols to order appropriate tests or consultations.
Perform diagnostic tests and communicate results in accordance with established guidelines and scope of practice.
Communicate abnormal evaluation findings to clinic and hospital staff.
Coordinate patient disposition, services, tests, and follow-up appointments as applicable.
Develop individualized plans of care, including patient teaching, discharge and follow-up planning, and referrals to other healthcare team members.
Identify unstable or complex patient situations and facilitate appropriate intervention in the clinic or hospital setting.
Recognize emergencies and initiate effective emergency care.
Coordinate follow-up procedures and tests for ambulatory patients as applicable.
Assist in collecting patient outcome measures.
Apply critical thinking and diagnostic reasoning to identify, evaluate, and manage individual patient and family needs.
Use equipment safely and base clinical decisions on scientific principles, standards of care, and research findings.
Educate nursing and hospital staff, students, patients, families, and the community using appropriate teaching strategies and responding to learner preferences and readiness.
Maintain current knowledge and complete identified clinical competencies.
Serve as a resource for staff caring for pediatric PM&R patients and provide educational programs for professional and paraprofessional personnel.
Participate in community programs and distribute relevant literature as appropriate.
Document plans of care, interventions, and evaluations clearly and concisely in each patient's medical record according to hospital/UHA policies and documentation standards.
Collaborate with leaders and staff on patient-outcome-based improvements and lead development and implementation of practice changes that improve outcomes.
Work collaboratively with medical and nursing staff to support problem-solving and provide professional support; participate in interdisciplinary patient care, program development, and education, and serve as a professional role model.
Promote innovation in the expanded APP role across inpatient and ambulatory pediatric PM&R care.
Participate in and provide leadership for committees and task forces.
Document hours and submit billing reports as appropriate.
Review and interpret patient registry, clinical, financial, length-of-stay, access-to-care, and cost-per-case data; recommend or implement changes as necessary.
Participate in clinical trials and research studies with the Principal Investigator.
Perform other assigned duties and projects.