The Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner (CRNP) or Physician Assistant (PA) functions in an advanced care role in a collaborative practice agreement with and under the direction of the DCH neurosurgeons in the Neurosurgery of West Alabama clinic. The PA will work with the clinical team to provide quality, compassionate care for patients assigned to them.  Incumbent is responsible for evaluations to patients based on pre-established guidelines and in collaboration with the physician, entering orders, and performing surgical/ invasive procedures under the direction and supervision of the Urologists. Provides leadership to other clinic team members by articulating and delegating expected standards of care.

1. Completes a health history and screening assessment in order to evaluate the age appropriate physical, psychosocial, educational, and environmental needs of patients/family in a systematic manner. Specific ages: as defined by scope of service.
2. Requests and evaluates pertinent diagnostic studies as needed in order to develop a plan of care that meets approved standards of practice in accordance with established protocols and in collaboration with Cardiac Surgeon as appropriate.
3. Assists physician with wide-range of medical and surgical procedures under physician supervision and instruction and in accordance with the scope of practice. These include, but not limited to, in accordance with scope of practice.
4. Writes appropriate prescriptions and administers medications according to standard protocols and in collaboration with supervising cardiac surgeon instructions.
5. Rounds on hospital patients daily as assigned, assesses the patient’s plan of care, and documents all patient encounters, records observations, interventions, and actions in a medically appropriate manner on the patient’s medical record.
6. Provides patient assessment services including performing H&P’s.
7. Documents all patient encounters, records observations, interventions, and actions in a medically appropriate manner on the patient’s medical record.
8. Works in collaboration with other health care providers and collaborating/agreement physicians.
9. Participates in Performance Improvement Program, other hospital quality programs, and QA initiatives including any clinic based quality programs or improvement efforts.
10. Teaches, supervises and counsels patients/family regarding educational needs appropriate to plan of care.
11. Performs initial and annual competency per job class.
12. In coordination with the RN, verifies and amends medication list in medical record as appropriate.
13. Participates in a call rotation with Vascular surgeon for after-hours call

DCH Standards:

• Maintains performance, patient and employee satisfaction and financial standards as outlined in the performance evaluation.
• Performs compliance requirements as outlined in the Employee Handbook
• Must adhere to the DCH Behavioral Standards including creating positive relationships with patients/families, coworkers, colleagues and with self.
• Performs essential job functions in a manner that ensures the safety of patients, visitors and employees.
• Identifies and reduces unsafe practices that may result in harm to patients, visitors and employees.
• Recognizes and takes appropriate action to reduce risks and hazards to promote safety for patients, visitors and employees.
• Requires use of electronic mail, time and attendance software, learning management software and intranet.
• Must adhere to all DCH Health System policies and procedures.
• All other duties as assigned.

Education:

Must be a graduate of an approved Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant program.

Licensed by the State of AL Board of Medical Examiners to practice as a Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant and maintain an active collaboration agreement with a DCH vascular surgeon.

Experience:

A minimum of (2) two years of CRNP/PA experience preferred.  

Prior knowledge or training in neurosurgery or critical care experience preferred

Must be able to read, write legibly, speak, and comprehend English.

CONDITIONS

Physical: Ability to tolerate prolonged periods of standing and walking. Ability to lift and carry 50 pounds with frequent lifting and/or carrying of objects weighing up to 25 lbs. Is able to push stretcher/wheelchair with average adult patient. Is able to do frequent stooping and on occasion crouching, crawling or kneeling. Ability to reach reasonable distances in any direction. Ability to run in emergency situations. Must be able to move fingers in a coordinated manner. Must have ability to feel and perceive temperature, texture, shape and size with fingertips.

Physical presence onsite is essential.  Hearing and vision must be normal or corrected to within normal range. Able to perform the duties with or without reasonable accommodation.

Environmental:  Includes exposure to human body fluids, disease, infection, lab chemicals and hazardous materials and/or cleaning solutions. Requires wearing common protective or safety equipment.

Psychological:  Includes demonstrating leadership skills, delegating to team members, addressing conflict, communicating with all types of personalities, and being responsible for outcomes/results.