PA or CRNP (ACNP), Spine Surgery - UPMC Washington

UPMC•Washington, PA

5h•Onsite

About The Position

University of Pittsburgh Physicians is hiring a Full-Time Physician Assistant or Acute Care Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner to help support the Spine Surgeons in the Departments of Orthopaedic Surgery and Neurosurgery at UPMC Washington. This dynamic, autonomous role requires advanced clinical and procedural skills to support the full continuum of care for spine patients—including operating room first-assist, inpatient consults, and outpatient clinic management. The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong surgical acumen, clinical independence, and an ability to collaborate with remote and on-site attending Spine Surgeons while serving as the local point person for spine care delivery at Washington Hospital.

Requirements

Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner (CRNP): The successful completion of an approved nurse practitioner program is required
Current state RN license and CRNP certification are required
National certification, eligible for licensure by Pennsylvania board of nursing, eligible for certification as a CRNP by Pennsylvania state board of nursing
Current CPR certification is required
Act 31
Act 33 Clearance will be required
Act 73 Clearance will be required
Act 34 Clearance required
Physician Assistant (PA): A graduate of a physician assistant program accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the physician assistant (ARC-PA) is required
Current state PA license certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) is required
Current CPR certification is required
Act 31
Act 33 Clearance will be required
Act 73 Clearance will be required
Act 34 Clearance required
Ability to establish and maintain positive, caring relationships with executives, managers, physicians, non-physician providers, ancillary and support staff, other departments, and patients/families
Ability to work productively and effectively within a complex environment
Handle multiple/changing priorities and specialized equipment
Critical thinking, analytical and problem-solving abilities required as related to various aspects of patient care
Good clinical judgment
Critical thinking skills necessary to exercise and lead others in application of acceptable standards of practice
Mobility and visual manual dexterity
Physical stamina for frequent walking, standing, lifting, and positioning of patients

Nice To Haves

BSN, MSN is preferred
Professional nursing experience and/or nurse practitioner experience is preferred
ACNP Preferred
BS or MS candidate is preferred
Experience as a physician assistant and/or experience in a clinical setting is preferred

Responsibilities

Serve as first assist in spine surgical procedures under the supervision of attending spine surgeons
Ensure pre-operative readiness by reviewing imaging, completing H&Ps, and participating in surgical planning and site verification
Assist with positioning, closure, and post-op orders, and document operative notes as needed
Facilitate smooth OR flow by coordinating with scrub techs, nursing staff, and anesthesia teams
Participate in post-op surgical huddles and track complications or deviations from expected recovery
Serve as a spine provider for all inpatient spine consults at Washington Hospital, including ED, ICU, and floor consults
Conduct comprehensive assessments, formulate differential diagnoses, order and interpret imaging (CT, MRI, X-ray), and communicate findings with the supervising neurosurgeon
Develop and initiate treatment plans for both operative and non-operative cases, including bracing, therapy referrals, and discharge planning
Manage post-operative spine patients including pain management, mobilization, drain care, and coordination of rehabilitation services
Lead daily progress notes, orders, and documentation, ensuring timely updates for transitions of care
Serve as liaison with internal medicine, trauma, orthopedics, and rehabilitation teams to ensure comprehensive inpatient spine care
Run an independent spine clinic, seeing new patients, surgical follow-ups, and routine spine evaluations
Review outside records, order and interpret imaging and diagnostic tests (EMG, labs), and develop conservative or surgical treatment plans
Educate patients and families on diagnoses, treatment options, surgical expectations, and post-operative care
Coordinate scheduling of surgery and pre-operative clearances, including communication with central schedulers and pre-op services
Manage post-op wound checks, pain management plans, imaging follow-up, and physical therapy coordination
Participate in multidisciplinary spine case conferences as appropriate
Applies basic professional practice knowledge and skills appropriate for practice setting.
Communicates effectively, both verbally and in documentation.
Demonstrates critical thinking in all areas of professional practice.
Learns to incorporate acceptable standards of professional practice as well as business unit and health system's goals to improve patient safety, quality, and satisfaction.
Formulates a plan of care that considers individual patient needs.
Demonstrates initiative and seeks formal and informal opportunities to improve clinical practice.
Seeks guidance and asks questions to continuously improve professional practice.
Builds relationships with patients, families, and colleagues.
Identifies ethical situations within patient care or within the workplace and seeks assistance.
Professionally accepts assignments that gradually increase patient load and complexity.
Actively engages in clinical development of all members of the healthcare team.
Requests opportunities to learn advanced professional practice techniques from senior healthcare team members.
Seeks, accepts, and utilizes performance feedback from peers, preceptors, and unit/department Leaders as a learning opportunity and to improve practice.
Demonstrates enthusiasm for continuous learning and identifies and creates a plan for the continuation of learning and development.
Identifies patient and family needs for education and provides basic education to support the episode of care.
Seeks professional development and involvement through membership in a professional organization and/or reading professional literature on a regular basis.
Demonstrates a basic knowledge of research, how it affects practice and who/what resources are available to assist with evidence-based practice by asking questions, demonstrating interest, participating in journal clubs.
Clinical practice demonstrates knowledge of how quality and innovation impacts patient satisfaction, safety, and clinical quality outcomes.
Identifies opportunities for improvement in the clinical area.
Demonstrates the ability to communicate clearly and effectively with all members of the health care team.
Begins to demonstrate awareness of cultural diversity, horizontal violence, and impairment in the health professions.
Cares for patients and self by supporting safety in the workplace.
Demonstrates accountability for professional development that improves the quality of professional practice and the quality of patient care.
Makes recommendations for the improvement of clinical care and the health of the workplace and welcomes and participates in change initiatives.
Leads by investing and building healthy relationships among colleagues and other disciplines.
Shows the ability to set priorities.
Begins to serve as an engaged member of a team supporting colleagues in service to patients and families and may participate in task forces or other initiatives.
Demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care and/or interact appropriately with the patients served as specified below
Demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span
Possess the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status and interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to their age-specific needs
Provide the care needs as described in the department policy and procedures