Advanced Practice Provider

OneOncology•Tullahoma, TN

26d

About The Position

The Advanced Practice Provider (APP) provides care in a variety of settings served by Tennessee Oncology, supporting patients across cancer prevention, screening, diagnosis, active treatment, and palliative care as part of a multidisciplinary healthcare team. The role includes assessing, diagnosing, and managing cancer and related disorders, using evidence-based literature and practice to improve patient health and care delivery. The APP performs clinical assessments and examinations, orders and interprets diagnostic information, manages cancer symptoms and treatment side effects, coordinates care, communicates plans to patients and care teams, and may provide care for clinical trial participants. The role also includes patient and family education, staff and community education, collaboration with other health disciplines, and participation in quality improvement. Clinic procedures may include bone marrow biopsies and other procedures needed by the clinic. Call coverage may be mutually scheduled with the supervising physician and APPs, but is not a mandatory practice requirement. The position requires a Tennessee RN or PA license, a master's degree in nursing or Physician Assistant certification, and the applicable national APP certification. Tennessee Oncology skills certification may be required for the specific clinic. Oncology experience is preferred; onboarding expectations vary based on prior oncology and Registered Nurse experience.

Requirements

Current license to practice as a Registered Nurse or Physician Assistant in Tennessee.
Master’s degree in nursing or certification as a Physician Assistant.
National APP certification through the American Nurses' Credentialing Center or American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, or qualifying Clinical Nurse Specialist certification and eligibility for a certificate of fitness to prescribe medications; listed certifications include AOCN, AOCNP, AOCNS, or National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants certification.
Current knowledge of oncology and primary care.
Ability to work independently.
Knowledge of Tennessee Oncology Advanced Practice Provider Guidelines and the Advanced Practice Practitioner provisions of the Tennessee Oncology Policy and Procedure Manual.
Tennessee Oncology skills certification as required by the specific clinic; examples include bone marrow biopsies, skin punch biopsies, paracentesis, and specialized access of chemotherapy delivery devices.
Ability and willingness to lift up to 50 pounds.
Ability to remain upright on the feet most of the time and in a stationary position half of the time.
Ability to communicate, distinguish sounds, and visualize.
Regular manual dexterity; occasional reaching or stretching, crouching, or stooping.

Nice To Haves

At least one year of oncology nursing experience is preferred.
APPs without oncology experience are expected to work as a staff nurse for at least one month before transitioning into the APP role.
APPs without sufficient Registered Nurse experience are required to work as a staff nurse for at least 12 months.

Responsibilities

Assess patients’ physical and psychosocial status and obtain and document comprehensive health histories.
Perform and document complete, system-focused and symptom-specific physical examinations.
Assess cancer-related symptoms, comorbidities, treatment response, possible disease progression or recurrence, and late effects of cancer and treatment.
Conduct pharmacologic assessments, including prescription and over-the-counter medications, supplements, and complementary or alternative therapies.
Recognize abnormal physical assessment findings and order and interpret laboratory and diagnostic tests.
Prioritize patient problems and identify patients who may be eligible for clinical trials.
Communicate relevant patient-care information to the collaborating physician and communicate care plans to patients, caregivers, and healthcare team members.
Write prescriptions for medications and blood products based on laboratory results, diagnostic and follow-up studies, therapeutic measures, and post-discharge care in accordance with written practice protocols.
Administer therapeutic measures and obtain specimens according to practice guidelines.
Manage cancer symptoms and side effects related to cancer treatment.
Refer patients to or request consultation from physicians and other healthcare professionals.
Assist with management of family dynamics and coping mechanisms during acute and chronic care.
Serve as a resource to healthcare team members on quality care and provide care to patients participating in clinical trials.
Evaluate care quality and recommend improvements.
Perform procedures as required by clinic needs, such as bone marrow biopsies.
Take call as required by clinic need; mutually scheduled on-call coverage may include responding to patient, family, or hospital calls; weekend hospital rounds or rounds requested by the supervising physician; hospital admissions; and contacting the supervising physician for backup.
Maintain American Nursing Credentialing Center certification and current Basic Life Support certification for healthcare providers.
Educate patients and families about proposed treatment plans using age- and culturally appropriate methods.
Facilitate patient decision-making about discontinuing active cancer treatment while optimizing supportive care.
Educate cancer survivors about potential long-term effects of cancer and its treatment.
Provide formal and informal oncology education to staff and help develop educational materials for patients and healthcare providers.
Present cancer-care updates and specialty-specific information to professional audiences at local, regional, and national levels.
Participate in community discussions, support groups, and informal consultation to provide oncology education and support.
Report patient information accurately and promptly and edit dictation.
Work effectively with others, use the chain of command, and collaborate with other health disciplines to support continuity and quality of care.
Represent APPs in department and board meetings and share information with the APP group.
Perform other duties as requested by the supervising MD.