Nurse Practitioner I - NEURO SURGERY SNHC - Full Time (Day - 10 hrs)

Stanford Health Care•Palo Alto, CA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Neurosurgery team focuses on the treatment of patients with brain and spine tumors. Our team works closely with radiation oncology, neuro-oncology, radiation therapists, clinical nurses, and schedulers/coordinators. We are proud of our high patient satisfaction scores, leading-edge technology, and interdisciplinary teamwork. The Neurosurgery/CyberKnife program is a center of excellence within Stanford Healthcare and is the top program of this type worldwide. The APP will be supporting the Neurosurgery attending in her clinic and see follow-up patients in their independent clinic (e.g. for suture removal, shunt reprogramming, treatment follow-up, return visits, pre-operative and postoperative visits, etc.). In addition, the APP (Advanced Practice Provider) will handle patient phone messages, electronic communications, order and evaluate radiologic exams (MRI), lab tests, place referrals, collaborate with our schedulers to arrange treatments, and assist in patient support groups. The APP will have to be well organized and efficient. We are looking for an empathic and efficient nurse practitioner with outstanding communication skills to join our high visibility, highly motivated team. CyberKnife was invented at Stanford Health Care and is used to treat a variety of conditions, with one of the most technologically advanced forms of radiosurgery. CyberKnife stereotactic radiosurgery uses computer technology that allows physicians to deliver radiation with unprecedented precision. Unlike other radiosurgery technologies, the CyberKnife does not use uncomfortable screws or frames to immobilize patients during treatment. The CyberKnife is capable of treating tumors anywhere in the body. At Stanford, CyberKnife technology is commonly used for treatment of tumors and conditions of the brain and spine, in addition to cancers of the pancreas, prostate, liver, and lungs. We most recently upgraded to the latest technology. The Nurse Practitioner (NP) functions under this Nurse Practitioner Job Description approved by the Interdisciplinary Practice Committee (IDPC). The NP provides routine care and management of the patient with acute and chronic complaints, in collaboration with the supervising physician, and through implementation of standardized procedures. Specific functions pertaining to the Service, Clinic or Department are established by the NP and his/her supervising physician(s), and approved by the appropriate medical and nursing administrators, the IDPC, the Credentials & Privileges Committee, the Stanford Hospital and Clinics (SHC) Medical Executive Committee and the SHC Board Credentials, Policies and Procedures Committee. This job description covers all classifications for NPs within the organization. All NPs must meet all elements of the Essential Functions, Qualifications, and Supervision. There is a voluntary Career Ladder for NPs who are interested in promotions for clinical expertise and contributions to the institution as well as the profession. Promotion is determined based on the Center for Advanced Practice Career Ladder Handbook.

Requirements

Excellent communicator able to work with patients with a variety of neurosurgical disorders (predominantly tumors), while keeping the entire team informed of critical patient care information.
Well organized and efficient.
Empathic and efficient nurse practitioner with outstanding communication skills.
Master’s or Doctoral degree in nursing from an accredited college or university. (Note: NPs hired prior to March 1, 2012 are not subject to this educational requirement.)
Graduate of an NP program accredited by the National League of Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Nursing\RN - Registered Nurse - State Licensure And/Or Compact State Licensure
NP - Nurse Practitioner
NPF - NP Furnishing Number
BLS - Basic Life Support

Nice To Haves

The APP will have to be well organized and efficient.
We are looking for an empathic and efficient nurse practitioner with outstanding communication skills to join our high visibility, highly motivated team.

Responsibilities

Supporting the Neurosurgery attending in her clinic.
Seeing follow-up patients in their independent clinic (e.g. for suture removal, shunt reprogramming, treatment follow-up, return visits, pre-operative and postoperative visits, etc.).
Handling patient phone messages and electronic communications.
Ordering and evaluating radiologic exams (MRI) and lab tests.
Placing referrals.
Collaborating with schedulers to arrange treatments.
Assisting in patient support groups.
Evaluating and treating patients with acute, chronic complaints and health maintenance concerns related to specialty, according to written standardized procedures.
Obtaining complete histories and performing pertinent physical exams with assessment of normal and abnormal findings on new and return patients, according to written standardized procedures.
Performing or requesting and evaluating diagnostic studies as indicated upon evaluation of the patient, according to written standardized procedures.
Administering, ordering, furnishing and prescribing medications, according to written standardized procedures.
Ordering and collecting specimens for routine laboratory tests, screening procedures and therapeutic procedures, including blood and blood products.
Ordering physical therapy, occupational therapy, respiratory therapy, radiology examinations and nursing services.
Performing designated procedures after demonstrated competency, according to written standardized procedures where applicable.
Obtaining informed consent, as indicated.
Initiating arrangements for hospital admissions and discharges and completing appropriate paperwork.
As directed by the supervising physician, enrolling patients in investigational studies approved by the Investigational Review Board (IRB), and ordering the necessary tests and medications.
After appropriate training, assisting the supervising physician in the operating room.
Recognizing and considering age-specific needs of patients.
Effectively communicating and interacting with patients, families, staff and members of the community from diverse backgrounds.
Recognizing situations which require the immediate attention of a physician, and initiating life-saving procedures when necessary.
Facilitating the coordination of inpatient and outpatient care and services as needed.
Facilitating collaboration between providers and coordination of community resources.
Ensuring compliance with legal, regulatory and clinical policies and procedures.
Participating in quality improvement initiatives.
Providing and coordinating patient teaching and counseling.