Advanced Practice Provider, Orthopaedic Surgery

University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB)•Galveston, TX

About The Position

The Advanced Practice Provider performs clinical care in collaboration with the unit physician and under approved protocols. The role manages medical aspects of care, including observation, assessment, diagnosis, intervention, evaluation, rehabilitation, counseling, and health education for people who are ill, injured, infirm, or experiencing changes in normal health processes. It also promotes and maintains health and helps prevent illness in a clinical setting. For inpatient Orthopaedic Surgery patients, the provider works under the supervision of surgical faculty to assist with patient care. Responsibilities include obtaining histories and performing physical examinations; documenting accurately and clearly in hospital records; educating patients about peri-operative and post-operative care; coordinating communication among interdisciplinary team members and consultants; and supporting transitions from inpatient to outpatient care, including referrals and coordination with post-surgery providers. The provider also assists with clinical protocol development, participates in quality management, delivers evidence-based, patient-centered care, and contributes to the education of students and hospital nursing staff. For outpatient Orthopaedic Surgery patients, the provider works under the supervision of surgical faculty, attending and participating in pre- and post-clinics at Victory Lakes, TDCJ, UTMB Galveston, and League City campuses. Duties include taking histories, performing physical examinations, documenting in hospital records, educating patients about pre-operative, peri-operative, and post-operative care, and coordinating with interdisciplinary team members and other providers, including referrals and communication with pre- and post-surgery coordinators. The position may be filled by a physician assistant or nurse practitioner. Physician assistant candidates must complete an ARC-PA-accredited program and obtain NCCPA certification and Texas physician assistant licensure. Nurse practitioner candidates must complete an ACEN- or CCNE-accredited graduate-level or higher program and obtain ANCC or AANP certification, Texas RN licensure, and Texas APRN nurse practitioner licensure. Current students and recent graduates may apply, but employment is contingent on completing the applicable education, certification, and licensure requirements. No prior experience is required. Salary is commensurate with experience.

Requirements

Completion of a physician assistant program accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA), for physician assistant candidates.
Certification by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA), and licensure as a Physician Assistant by the Texas Physician Assistant Board/Texas Medical Board (TPAB/TMB), for physician assistant candidates.
Completion of a graduate-level or higher nurse practitioner program accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), for nurse practitioner candidates.
Certification by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), Texas Board of Nursing (TBON) registered nurse licensure, and TBON advanced practice registered nurse licensure in a nurse practitioner clinical area of specialization, for nurse practitioner candidates.
No prior experience required.
Applicants who have not yet completed the applicable program, certification, or licensure may apply; employment is contingent on completing the required education, certification, and licensure.

Responsibilities

Provide inpatient patient-care assistance for Orthopaedic Surgery patients under surgical faculty supervision.
Obtain detailed patient histories and perform physical examinations.
Complete accurate, concise, and legible documentation in hospital records.
Educate patients about peri-operative and post-operative surgical care.
Facilitate communication among interdisciplinary team members and consulting providers.
Coordinate transitions from inpatient to outpatient care, including referrals, disposition, post-hospital care, and communication with post-surgery coordinators and providers.
Assist with planning and designing clinical protocols for Orthopaedic Surgery.
Participate in quality management.
Practice evidence-based, patient-centered care.
Participate in educating medical students, residents, PA students, pharmacy students, and nursing students.
Assist in educating hospital nursing staff about surgical patient care and quality measures.
Provide outpatient/clinic patient-care assistance for Orthopaedic Surgery patients under surgical faculty supervision.
Attend and participate in pre- and post-clinics at Victory Lakes, TDCJ, UTMB Galveston, and League City campuses.
Educate patients about pre-operative, peri-operative, and post-operative Orthopaedic Surgery care.
Coordinate communication, care, referrals to diagnostic or therapeutic services, and communication with pre- and post-Orthopaedic coordinators and providers.