Advanced Practice Provider Pediatric Neurosurgery

Responsibilities:

• Provide care to patients with acute and chronic illnesses encountered in the neurosurgical service (inpatient, emergency department, and clinics).
• Oversee, collect and prepare patient clinical records, labs and imaging to optimize outpatient consultation in pediatric neurosurgery clinics.
• Conduct comprehensive or episodic health history and physical assessment of pediatric patients/families with acute, chronic and/or potential health problems.
• Conduct and coordinate preoperative evaluations for patients proceeding to surgery.
• Provide care to patients on the inpatient Pediatric Neurosurgery service under the supervision of neurosurgery faculty. This includes participation in daily rounds and collaborating with the neurosurgeons, fellow APPs, and other health care team members in the clinical evaluation and management of patients, as well as communicating the clinical management plan with members of the primary team or with consulting teams.
• Evaluate patients in follow-up for routine post op care and manage complications related to surgery. Work in collaboration with faculty, residents, fellows, surgeons, and nursing staff to provide on-going inpatient and outpatient care and management.
• Manage and direct communications between health care team and pediatric patients, their families and referring physicians.
• Use available tools to track patient progress and coordinate care across the care continuum.
• Provide after-hours evening, weekend and holiday call coverage as part of the Pediatric Neurosurgery APP team on an agreed-upon schedule.
• Possible involvement in assisting surgeries and procedures if properly qualified and certified for hospital privileges.

Clinical Quality, Safety and Trials work:

• Participate in clinical trials investigating new neurological treatments as well as research projects for studying clinical quality, safety and outcomes.
• Engage in analysis of clinical practice and identify opportunities to increase effectiveness and efficiency to improve value-based, high quality health care paradigms.

Community/Outreach:

• Participate in building collaborative partnership models across disciplines with community physicians to ensure the provision of comprehensive, multi-disciplinary care.
• Provide education and outreach efforts to pediatric patients, families and communities. Foster patient/family support groups with interdisciplinary providers (social work, rehab, physicians).

Administrative:

• Assist in development of staff resource utilization, hiring new staff, creating budget plans, contingency plans, quality assurance, work schedules and staff training.
• Attend and participate in meetings, committees and work groups in support of all duties, as needed.
• Other related duties as assigned.

Education/Teaching:

• Participate in the education of nurses, APPs, medical students, residents and fellows through multidisciplinary case presentations and/or one-on-one clinical mentorship.
• Participate in continuing clinical education to ensure continued certification and that clinical knowledge and skills are up to date and relevant for neurosurgical and neuroscience practices.

Required Qualifications:

For Nurse Practitioners: A master’s degree from an accredited Nursing Program. Active RN and APRN license in the State of Texas, in good standing, and active board certification as an Acute Care Pediatric NP.  For PAs: A master’s degree from a Physician Assistant's program. Current Physician Assistant license in the State of Texas, in good standing, and active board certification as a PA. Active DEA license or ability to apply for such license prior to or upon hire, and current CPR and Pediatric Advanced Life Support certifications. Demonstrated excellent analytical skills, problem solving ability, and strong critical thinking skills. Ability to work efficiently and flexibly in a fast-paced environment with minimal guidance. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Ability to address individuals and information with a high degree of sensitivity and confidentiality in various delicate, formal, or urgent situations. Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with physicians, staff, and patients. Proficiency with using electronic medical record systems. Outstanding organizational and time-management skills. The Dell Medical School is especially interested in qualified candidates who can contribute to diversity and excellence within the learning health system. Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications:

One or more years of experience in a pediatric neurosurgical or other related surgical practice. Experience with large research projects and clinical trials. RN First Assist training and certification needed for hospital privileges in assisting in surgery and procedures. Bilingual in English and Spanish.