PA or CRNP (ACNP), Neurotrauma and Spine Neurosurgery - UPMC Presbyterian

UPMC•Pittsburgh, PA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

University of Pittsburgh Physicians is hiring a Full-Time Physician Assistant or Acute Care Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner to support the Neurosurgery department. This is an outpatient-only position focused on managing complex patients with traumatic brain and spinal injuries, post-operative neurotrauma care, and functional neurosurgical conditions. The ideal candidate will have a strong foundation in neurology, neurosurgery, or trauma and thrive in a fast-paced outpatient practice. The APP will work directly alongside a dual-specialty neurosurgeon as their primary APP, helping to establish and grow a busy and diverse clinic within a nationally recognized department. This role offers a rare opportunity to join a high-profile academic neurosurgery department in a clinically meaningful and professionally rewarding position. As the first outpatient APP dedicated to this neurosurgeon’s practice, the successful candidate will be instrumental in shaping the long-term success of a clinic that blends neurotrauma and spinal neurosurgery.

Requirements

Full-Time Physician Assistant or Acute Care Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner
Strong foundation in neurology, neurosurgery, or trauma
Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner (CRNP): Successful completion of an approved nurse practitioner program.
Current state RN license and CRNP certification.
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.
Act 34 Clearance.
Physician Assistant (PA): Graduate of a physician assistant program accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the physician assistant (ARC-PA).
Current state PA license certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA).
Current CPR certification.
Act 34 Clearance.
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.
Successful attainment and maintenance of hospital privileges, if applicable to the Business Unit practice.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Manage a daily outpatient clinic for neurotrauma and functional neurosurgical patients, including new consults, follow-up visits, and post-operative assessments.
Perform comprehensive neurologic exams, order and interpret imaging, and develop evidence-based treatment plans in collaboration with the attending neurosurgeon.
Educate patients and families on diagnoses, recovery trajectories, surgical options, and rehabilitation strategies.
Coordinate multidisciplinary care with Physical Medicine & Rehab, Pain Management, and Neurology.
Assist with surgical scheduling coordination, pre-op clearances, and post-op wound management.
Maintain timely and thorough documentation using EPIC, including clinic notes, orders, and follow-up plans.
Serve as an APP for this growing subspecialty service line, contributing to workflow development, EMR template design, and patient education materials.
Collaborate with APP leadership and neurosurgery faculty to establish best practices for outpatient neurotrauma and functional patient management.
Identify process improvements to enhance patient throughput, satisfaction, and continuity of care.
Contribute to UPMC’s mission of Life Changing Medicine.
Set the standards for the level and quality of care for the care delivery team.
Provide patient care activities for a group of patients and their families through the application of independent judgment, communication, and collaboration with all team members.
Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with physicians, other health care providers, patients, and their families, to achieve desired patient outcomes throughout the continuum of care.
Demonstrate a commitment to the community and to your healthcare profession.
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.