Inpatient Advanced Practice Provider (APRN or PA) - Head & Neck Surgery

UT MD Anderson Cancer Center•Houston, TX

11h•Onsite

About The Position

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center is seeking an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) or Physician Assistant (PA) to join its inpatient Head and Neck Surgery team. The Advanced Practice Provider delivers comprehensive inpatient care for patients with complex head and neck cancers and related perioperative conditions, collaborating with attending surgeons, fellows, residents, other APPs, nurses, speech-language pathologists, dietitians, respiratory therapists, and other healthcare professionals. The role focuses on postoperative management, surgical airways, enteral feeding access, wound care, symptom management, and discharge planning. The APP evaluates new, existing, and inpatient patients; performs immediate preoperative and postoperative assessments; conducts inpatient rounds; manages daily patient problems; and coordinates care across the multidisciplinary team. The position also includes patient and family education, documentation, admissions and discharges, handoffs, discharge summaries, and support for identifying patients who may be eligible for clinical research. The position is based at TMC and typically works from 6:30 AM to 3:30 PM. The salary range is $117,500 to $176,500, with a midpoint of $146,500. The role offers experience in advanced surgical and oncologic care, multidisciplinary collaboration, clinical research activities, and professional development in an academic healthcare environment.

Requirements

Master's degree in nursing, subject to the stated waiver for qualifying APRNs recognized by the Texas State Board of Nursing before January 1, 2003; graduate education and Texas Board of Nursing authorization must align with the clinical practice area and patient population.
Alternatively, a master's degree from an ARC-PA-accredited Physician Assistant program, except for Physician Assistants who graduated before 2013.
Written authorization from the Texas Board of Nursing or Texas State Board of Physician Assistant Examiners to practice as an APRN or PA, consistent with the clinical practice area and patient population.
Basic Life Support (BLS) or Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification.
Must obtain and maintain relevant clinical privileges; continued employment is contingent on maintaining those privileges.
Authorization for limited prescriptive authority by the Texas Board of Nursing may be required.
Ability to satisfy and maintain any requirements necessary to ensure the security and integrity of critical infrastructure, if applicable.

Nice To Haves

Inpatient experience or prior experience in an ENT, surgical, or oncology setting.
Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification, as required by the patient care area.
Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification, as required by the patient care area.
Knowledge of surgical airway patient care.
Ability to round autonomously when appropriate.
Strong clinical judgment, communication, and multidisciplinary collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

Evaluate new, existing, and inpatient patients, including immediate preoperative and postoperative assessments.
Perform routine patient care and advanced technical procedures, including fiberoptic nasopharyngolaryngoscopy, fiberoptic tracheoscopy, Dobhoff feeding tube placement or removal, and wound care management.
Participate in multidisciplinary discharge rounds and conduct inpatient rounds, documenting patient status in the medical record as clinically indicated.
Manage daily patient problems and document actions taken to resolve them.
Communicate with service team members, consultants, nursing staff, and other healthcare providers to coordinate patient care.
Provide an appropriate handoff at the end of each shift.
Dictate discharge summaries and conduct discharge planning.
Perform routine admission, transfer, and discharge procedures.
Counsel and educate patients and families about healthcare and sensitive ethical situations.
Connect the supervising physician with other physicians and departments to facilitate timely, optimal patient care.
Serve as a contact for patients, families, referring physicians, pharmacists, and allied health personnel regarding immediate and long-term care plans.
Process correspondence with patients, physicians, third-party carriers, and other entities as delegated by the supervising physician.
Assist the supervising physician with routine chart follow-ups and order appropriate referrals, laboratory tests, radiological studies, or supportive care as needed.
Maintain patient records in compliance with UTMDACC guidelines.
Assist research nurses in identifying patients who may benefit from protocol registration and clinical research opportunities.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

Employer-paid medical coverage starting on day one for employees working at least 30 hours per week.
Optional group dental, vision, life, accidental death and dismemberment, 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 and fitness resources 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.