Advance Practice Professional - Orthopedics - Trauma Surgery - Wheeling Hospital (Physician Assistant ONLY)

Position Summary

The Advance Practice Professional (APP) is an individual with clinical and medical skills, and expertise in the care of orthopedic patients. The APP completes comprehensive patient health evaluations, takes into account the patient's co-morbid conditions and overall disposition in collaboration with the appropriate clinical/faculty team. The APP assesses and coordinates the educational and psychosocial needs of the patient and caretakers. The APP develops and reviews the plan of care with the other members of the clinical team, participates in directing that care, and coordinates discharge planning/and or follow-up (as applicable).

Core Duties and Responsibilities

• Manages comprehensive and individualized care for orthopedic patients and their families in the inpatient phase of hospitalization (as applicable) and in the ambulatory setting.
• Participates in peri-operative management of patients including (but not limited to) first assisting in the operative suite.
• Completes daily rounds; consults and/or pre-procedure/evaluations (as applicable).
• Provides both urgent and chronic management of Orthopedic patients in the ambulatory setting.
• Completes integrated assessments. With the collaboration of orthopedic faculty or by following established clinical Guidelines and Protocols, orders additional tests or consults as deemed appropriate.
• Performs and communicates results of diagnostic tests following established clinical guidelines and scope of practice. Consults and communicates with clinic and hospital staff regarding abnormal findings in the evaluations of patients.
• Facilitates patient discharge and/or follow-up by coordinating appropriate services and tests necessary for outpatient follow-up appointments in the clinic (as applicable).
• Develops a comprehensive individualized plan of care for orthopedic patients, which includes teaching, perioperative planning, discharge planning and necessary referral to other members of the health care team as necessary.
• Demonstrates expertise in caring for patients across the age continuum of their educational experience and certification. Identifies unstable or complex orthopedic patient care situations and facilitates appropriate intervention in the clinic and/or hospital setting. Recognizes emergency situations and initiates effective emergency care.
• Evaluates orthopedic patients and serves as a coordinator for follow up procedures and tests in the ambulatory setting (as applicable).
• Assists in the collection of outcome measures (as applicable).
• Bases decisions made/actions taken on the relevant scientific principles, established standards of care and/or research findings. Utilizes teaching/learning theory and appropriate teaching strategies in the provision of education to nursing staff, hospital staff, students, patients, families and the community. Promotes an environment that facilitates learning by responding to appropriate patient/family preferences, priorities and readiness to learn. Updates own knowledge base throughout the year. Completes all identified clinical competencies. Serves as a resource person for staff caring for the orthopedic patient. Provides educational programs to professional and paraprofessional personnel in area of expertise. Participates and initiates inter-disciplinary approaches to patient care, program development and education. Serves as a professional role model. Promotes and practices innovation of the expanded role in the delivery of care to orthopedic patients and families throughout inpatient hospitalization, perioperative phase and the ambulatory setting. Participates and provides leadership for committees and task forces. Documents hours and submits billing reports, as appropriate. Reviews and interprets orthopedic data from sources such as patient registries, clinical and financial reports, length of stay, access to care, and cost per case reports and recommends/implements changes as necessary. Participates in clinical trials and research studies with the Principal Investigator. Assists orthopedic Faculty, Administrators and Directors in the collection of outcome measures.

Physical Requirements

• Heavy/Hard Work: Work requires strength and/or stamina, lifting, moving, stooping, reaching, positioning of patients, standing, walking, and carrying of patients, materials and equipment weighting 40+ pounds.

Working Environment

• Working closely with others. Protracted or irregular hours. Working around biohazards. Working around infectious diseases. Working with or near the deceased. Working with hands in water. Electrical hazards associated with patient care equipment.

Skills and Abilities

• Proficiency with computers. Strong communication skills.