APP - Urology (Inpatient/First Assist)

WVU Medicine

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Advanced Practice Professional (APP) provides high-quality, patient-centered care as part of an interdisciplinary healthcare team. In collaboration with physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals, the APP assesses, diagnoses, treats, and manages patients within their scope of practice and urology specialty. The role delivers evidence-based care, supports positive patient outcomes, maintains professional and regulatory standards, and contributes to the department’s clinical, educational, and operational goals. The APP brings clinical and surgical urology expertise and completes comprehensive patient health evaluations, including biological, social, and psychological assessments, in collaboration with the clinical and faculty team. The APP assesses and coordinates the educational and psychosocial needs of patients and caretakers, helps develop and review plans of care, directs care in collaboration with the team, and coordinates perioperative care, discharge planning, and follow-up. The role also participates in educating residents and medical and nursing students, performs diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, and contributes to global management of urology patients throughout the health system. The position is open to qualified nurse practitioners and physician assistants. Nurse practitioners must have a master’s degree in nursing from a CCNE-accredited program, national APRN certification, and West Virginia RN and APRN licensure or eligibility. Physician assistants must hold a bachelor’s or master’s degree in physician assistant studies, graduate from an ARC-PA-approved program, hold NCCPA certification, and have or be eligible for West Virginia licensure. Both pathways require American Heart Association BLS certification; additional Advanced Life Support training may be required at the department’s discretion. Clinical or surgical urology experience is preferred, and eligible new graduates will be considered. A master’s-level physician assistant degree is preferred. The role requires proficiency with computers and strong communication skills. The work involves close interaction with others, protracted or irregular hours, and exposure to biohazards, infectious diseases, deceased persons, water, and electrical hazards associated with patient-care equipment. Heavy physical work may include lifting, moving, stooping, reaching, positioning patients, standing, walking, and carrying patients, materials, and equipment weighing 40 pounds or more. The position is scheduled for 40 hours per week and is based at University Health Associates, 1 Medical Center Drive, Morgantown, West Virginia.

Requirements

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

Nice To Haves

Clinical or surgical urology experience is preferred; eligible new graduates will be considered.
For the physician assistant pathway, a master’s-level degree as a Physician Assistant is preferred.

Responsibilities

Manage comprehensive, individualized care for urology patients and families during inpatient hospitalization, immediately after discharge, and in ambulatory settings, as applicable.
Complete daily rounds, consultations, and pre-procedure urology evaluations.
Complete integrated assessments and document clinical findings in the medical record.
Participate in perioperative management of patients.
Order additional tests or consultations in collaboration with urology faculty or according to established clinical guidelines and protocols.
Perform diagnostic tests and communicate results according to clinical guidelines and scope of practice.
Communicate with clinic and hospital staff about abnormal patient findings.
Coordinate discharge, postoperative care, services, tests, referrals, and follow-up appointments.
Perform urological procedures according to established guidelines, protocols, and scope of practice.
Develop individualized plans of care that include patient teaching, discharge planning, follow-up, and referrals to other healthcare team members as needed.
Provide care to patients across the age continuum within the APP’s education and certification.
Identify unstable or complex urology situations and facilitate appropriate intervention.
Recognize emergencies and initiate effective emergency care.
Evaluate the effectiveness of patient and family teaching and collaborate with nursing and clinical staff on education plans.
Use critical thinking and diagnostic reasoning to identify, evaluate, and manage individual patient and family needs.
Use equipment safely and base clinical decisions on relevant scientific principles, standards of care, and research findings.
Educate nursing staff, hospital staff, students, patients, families, and the community using appropriate teaching strategies.
Maintain and update professional knowledge and complete required clinical competencies.
Serve as a resource for staff caring for urology patients, provide educational programs, and mentor nursing personnel.
Communicate effectively with patients, families, physicians, and ancillary services to coordinate efficient care.
Document plans of care, interventions, and evaluations in patient records in accordance with approved hospital and UHA policies and compliance standards.
Collaborate with leaders and staff on patient-outcome improvements and lead development and implementation of practice changes that improve outcomes.
Work collaboratively with medical and nursing staff to support problem-solving and professional practice; participate in interdisciplinary care, program development, and education, and serve as a professional role model.
Participate in and provide leadership for committees and task forces.
Document hours and submit billing reports, as appropriate.
Participate in the WVUM/UHA Performance Improvement Plan and apply findings to improve patient care.
Review and interpret urology data, including patient registries, clinical and financial reports, length of stay, access to care, and cost per case; recommend or implement changes as appropriate.
Participate in clinical trials and research studies with the Principal Investigator.
Assist urology faculty, administrators, and directors with collecting outcome measures.
Perform other assigned duties and projects.