ADVANCED PRACTICE PROFESSIONALS – Department of Neurology, Section of Pediatric Neurology Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant

About the Role

The Advanced Practice Professional (APP) in the Department of Neurology, Section of Pediatric Neurology, has coordination and clinical skills required for the comprehensive management of pediatric neurology patients, including biological, social, and psychological assessments. The APP coordinates involvement of medical specialty teams to develop a comprehensive plan for the patient, reviews the plan of care with the clinical team, performs diagnostic/therapeutic procedures, and coordinates disposition planning. The APP participates in the education of residents and medical/nursing students and provides healthcare services consistent with state law and professional licensing requirements.

Responsibilities

• Manages comprehensive and individualized care for pediatric neurology patients and their families in the ambulatory setting.
• Completes integrated assessments, consults, and/or pre-procedure/evaluations.
• Orders additional tests or consults as deemed appropriate, following established clinical guidelines and protocols.
• Performs and communicates results of diagnostic tests within scope of practice.
• Consults and communicates with clinic and hospital staff regarding abnormal findings.
• Performs succinct, comprehensive clinical evaluations and documents findings in the medical record.
• Facilitates patient disposition by coordinating appropriate services and tests for continuity of care.
• Develops a comprehensive individualized plan of care, including teaching, disposition planning, and referrals.
• Demonstrates expertise in caring for patients across the age continuum.
• Identifies unstable or complex patient care situations and facilitates appropriate intervention.
• Recognizes emergency situations and initiates effective emergency care.
• Assists in the collection of outcome measures.
• Demonstrates critical thinking and diagnostic reasoning skills in clinical decision-making.
• Utilizes equipment safely and bases decisions on relevant scientific principles and established standards of care.
• Provides education to nursing staff, hospital staff, students, patients, families, and the community.
• Updates own knowledge base and completes clinical competencies.
• Serves as a resource for staff caring for pediatric neurology/epilepsy patients.
• Provides educational programs to professional and paraprofessional personnel.
• Participates in community programs and distribution of literature in area of expertise.
• Documents the plan of care, interventions, and evaluations in the patient’s medical record.
• Collaborates with other leaders and staff to achieve patient outcome-based improvements in care.
• Provides leadership in developing and implementing changes in pediatric neurology/epilepsy practice.
• Works collaboratively with medical and nursing staff to facilitate creative problem-solving.
• Participates in interprofessional approaches to patient care, program development, and education.
• Serves as a professional role model and promotes innovation in the delivery of care.
• Participates and provides leadership for committees and task forces.
• Documents hours and submits billing reports, as appropriate.
• Reviews and interprets pediatric neurology data from patient registries, clinical and financial reports, and recommends/implements changes.
• Participates in clinical trials and research studies with the Principal Investigator.
• Assists neurology faculty, administrators, and directors in the collection of outcome measures.
• Performs other duties/projects as assigned.

Requirements

For Nurse Practitioner

• Graduate of a CCNE-accredited nursing program with a master’s degree in Nursing.
• National Certification by one of the recognized APRN Certification Centers.
• Licensure or eligibility for licensure as a professional Registered Nurse and Advanced Practice Registered Nurse in West Virginia.
• American Heart Association BLS Certification; additional Advanced Life Support training at the discretion of the department.
• Neurology and/or acute care experience preferred; eligible new graduates will be considered.

Preferred Qualifications: ACNPs preferred but will consider FNPs.

For Physician Assistant

• Bachelor’s Degree or master’s degree as a Medical/Surgical Physician Assistant.
• Graduate of an ARC-PA-approved Physician Assistant (PA) training program.
• Certification by the National Commission for Certification of Physician Assistants.
• Licensure or eligibility for licensure by the WV Board of Medicine or WV Board of Osteopathic Medicine.
• American Heart Association BLS Certification; additional Advanced Life Support training at the discretion of the department.

Preferred Qualifications: Master’s level education as a Medical/Surgical Physician Assistant.

Physical Requirements

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

Working Environment

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

Skills

• Proficiency with computers.
• Strong communication skills.

Scheduled Weekly Hours: 40