Advanced Practice Provider (APRN or PA) Leukemia

UT MD Anderson Cancer Center•Houston, TX

About The Position

The Advanced Practice Provider (APRN or PA) supports clinical care, research activities, and interdisciplinary communication across the continuum of leukemia care at UT MD Anderson. Under physician supervision, the provider contributes to patient diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing disease management, while providing certain services independently within their scope of practice. The role helps promote consistent care delivery and positive patient outcomes and participates in clinical research activities. The provider delivers patient care tailored to each patient’s diagnosis, treatment, age, developmental stage, and identified needs. Duties include obtaining histories and conducting examinations and assessments; reviewing examination findings, laboratory results, and radiographic results; developing diagnostic and therapeutic plans with the attending physician; managing symptoms, treatment toxicities, and disease complications; and documenting care. The role also includes assigned admission and discharge responsibilities, ordering clinically indicated consultations, tests, and procedures, educating patients and families, and coordinating communication with care teams and external providers. Procedural duties include bone marrow aspiration and biopsy, lumbar punctures, and Ommaya taps, with or without intrathecal chemotherapy. The provider must obtain and maintain relevant clinical privileges. Research duties include assisting with study eligibility assessments, monitoring patients for investigational-treatment side effects and toxicities, and documenting research findings according to protocol requirements. The position requires a relevant graduate degree and applicable PA or APRN authorization, licensure, certification, and life-support credentials. Prior experience is not required. Prior leukemia and/or oncology experience, including management of patients undergoing cancer treatment, is described as ideal; experience in a multidisciplinary academic healthcare environment and involvement in clinical research are preferred.

Requirements

PA applicants must have a master’s degree from an accredited PA program by ARC-PA, except for PAs who graduated from a PA program before 2013.
APRN applicants must have a master’s degree in nursing or a Doctor of Nursing Practice; this may be waived for applicants recognized as an APRN by the Texas State Board of Nursing before January 1, 2003.
APRN graduate education and related Texas Board of Nursing authorization must be consistent with the clinical practice area and patient population.
PA applicants must hold PA certification from the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants and be licensed by the Texas State Board of Physician Assistant Examiners.
APRN applicants must have written authorization from the Texas Board of Nursing to function as an APRN in an authorization category consistent with the clinical practice area and patient population.
Basic Life Support (BLS) is required.
Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) is required for APRNs working in the specified Pediatric - Patient Care department.
ACLS and PALS are required upon hire when required by the patient care area.
The provider must obtain and maintain relevant clinical privileges; continued employment is contingent upon maintaining them.
Authorization for limited prescriptive authority may be required, as applicable.
Must satisfy and maintain any requirements necessary to ensure the security and integrity of critical infrastructure if responsible for maintaining it.

Nice To Haves

Prior leukemia and/or oncology experience, including management of patients undergoing cancer treatment.
Experience in a multidisciplinary academic healthcare environment.
Involvement in clinical research.

Responsibilities

Provide quality patient care tailored to the patient’s diagnosis, treatment, age, developmental stage, and identified needs.
Obtain comprehensive medical histories and perform physical examinations and psychosocial assessments.
Review and interpret physical examination findings, laboratory results, and radiographic test results.
Formulate diagnostic and therapeutic management plans in collaboration with the attending physician.
Document pertinent patient information in the medical record in accordance with institutional policy.
Perform admission and discharge responsibilities as assigned.
Manage symptoms, treatment toxicities, and disease-related complications in collaboration with the attending physician.
Order consultations, diagnostic tests, and procedures as clinically indicated.
Communicate verbally and in writing with physicians, multidisciplinary team members, and external care providers.
Facilitate communication among patients, families, primary teams, and multidisciplinary care teams.
Provide patient and family education regarding diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing care needs.
Perform bone marrow aspiration and biopsy procedures.
Perform lumbar punctures and Ommaya taps with or without administration of intrathecal chemotherapy.
Maintain required procedural privileges upon successful credentialing and approval.
Participate in clinical research activities.
Assist with eligibility assessments for clinical research studies.
Monitor patients for side effects and toxicities associated with investigational treatments.
Document research-related findings according to protocol requirements.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

Employer-paid medical coverage starting on day one for employees working 30 or more hours per week.
Optional group dental, vision, life, AD&D, and disability insurance.
Accruals for paid time off and an Extended Illness Bank.
Paid holidays and wellness, childcare, and other leave options.
Tuition Assistance Program after six months of service.
Access to wellness, fitness, and employee resource groups.
Defined-benefit pension through the Teachers Retirement System.
Voluntary retirement plans.
Employer-paid life and reduced salary protection programs.
Educational opportunities and individual and team recognition.