Advanced Practice Provider (ARNP/PA) - Neurosurgery (Spine)

UIOWA•Iowa City, IA

20h

About The Position

The Department of Neurosurgery at the University of Iowa is actively recruiting an Advanced Practice Provider (i.e., Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant) with a background and interest in pain management with a specific focus in the care of neurosurgical conditions of the spine. As the Advanced Practice Provider (APP), this position will coordinate with the attending surgeon and resident team to ensure that patients can receive their diagnosis and begin their treatment quickly. This position will spend time with patients in the ambulatory clinical setting, make follow-up phone calls, prepare patients for surgery, and follow patients through surgery on their road back to full recovery. The Department of Neurosurgery views ARNP/PAs as skilled professionals which are important to our practice and shall be well equipped and have the autonomy to see patients and support our physicians both independently and in a team setting. Having a physician and an advanced provider working in tandem allows us to provide better overall care for our most complex patients. BASIC FUNCTION Function as an APP and change agent incorporating the primary role of nurse practitioner/physician assistant and the supporting roles of consultant, educator, researcher and administrator to support quality care and positive patient outcomes. Exercise autonomy in medical decision-making for the Neurosurgery service. Function independently and as a member of an interdisciplinary team to plan, deliver, and evaluate health care for the Neurosurgery inpatient and outpatient population. Perform direct patient care. Assist in educating healthcare students, residents and fellows as they rotate through the respective departments and divisions. This position will work the full continuum of care from inpatient, outpatient, pediatrics and adult patient populations. CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Assure clinical competency and expertise in area of specialization. Function independently and/or as a member of an interdisciplinary team to plan, deliver and evaluate health care for a defined patient population. Collaborate with nursing staff/nursing administration to monitor and evaluate the quality of patient care. Perform medical diagnostic, therapeutic procedures, and prescribe, dispense or deliver medications when a collaborative practice agreement is in place. Maintain effective working relationships with faculty, staff, students and the public. Demonstrates a willingness to carry out responsibilities and a positive approach to accomplishing work Listens to feedback without defensiveness and uses it to enhance communication effectiveness. Promotes a safe, respectful environment in which concerns can be addressed effectively. Participate in development and implementation of divisional and departmental quality assessment/improvement/research programs and processes. Responsible for administrative activities and special projects as assigned. Contribute toward the achievement of divisional and departmental goals. Participate and contribute to activities that enhance clinical expertise and nursing knowledge. Participate in professional nursing activities in the department, hospital, community and professional organizations. Maintain effective working relationships with faculty, staff, students and the public. The University of Iowa Health Care Medical Center—recognized as one of the best hospitals in the United States—is Iowa's only comprehensive academic medical center and a regional referral center. Each day more than 12,000 employees, students, and volunteers work together to provide safe, quality health care and excellent service for our patients. Simply stated, our mission is: Changing Medicine. Changing Lives. ®

Requirements

A Master’s degree is required.
A Master’s degree in Nursing is preferred. If a Master’s degree is in a related field, a Baccalaureate degree in Nursing is required.
Current license to practice nursing in Iowa is required.
Licensure as ARNP in state of Iowa is required or eligibility to be licensed by date of hire is required.
Active DEA license or ability to apply for such license prior to or upon hire.
Active BLS certification.
Must comply with registration and licensure requirements as specified by the State of Iowa and The University of Iowa Health Care.
Ability to effectively communicate in verbal and written forms required.
Reasonable (1-3 years) experience in area of clinical practice is required or previous experience in specified hospital specialty area or demonstrated knowledge of area of clinical practice.
Demonstrated experience providing clinical care to neurosurgical patients is required.
Ability to function with a high degree of autonomy to make independent decisions while actively collaborating with multi-disciplinary health care members providing care for highly complex patients.
Ability to provide critical thinking and analytical skills required.
Ability to comprehend and follow policy, procedure, guidelines and protocols required.
Flexibility and dedication to team involvement and supporting organizational goals.
Must comply with registration and licensure requirements as specified by the Iowa Board of Physician Assistant Examiners, including graduation from an accredited Physician Assistant educational program and/or certification by the NCCPA.
Eligible to be licensed by the State of Iowa to perform as a Physician Assistant.

Responsibilities

Assure clinical competency and expertise in area of specialization.
Function independently and/or as a member of an interdisciplinary team to plan, deliver and evaluate health care for a defined patient population.
Collaborate with nursing staff/nursing administration to monitor and evaluate the quality of patient care.
Perform medical diagnostic, therapeutic procedures, and prescribe, dispense or deliver medications when a collaborative practice agreement is in place.
Maintain effective working relationships with faculty, staff, students and the public.
Demonstrates a willingness to carry out responsibilities and a positive approach to accomplishing work Listens to feedback without defensiveness and uses it to enhance communication effectiveness.
Promotes a safe, respectful environment in which concerns can be addressed effectively.
Participate in development and implementation of divisional and departmental quality assessment/improvement/research programs and processes.
Responsible for administrative activities and special projects as assigned.
Contribute toward the achievement of divisional and departmental goals.
Participate and contribute to activities that enhance clinical expertise and nursing knowledge.
Participate in professional nursing activities in the department, hospital, community and professional organizations.
Maintain effective working relationships with faculty, staff, students and the public.