Advanced Practice Provider (APRN or PA) - Neurosurgery Outpatient

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center is a world-renowned institution focused on cancer care, research, education, and prevention. Within UT MD Anderson, the Neurosurgery department provides coordinated, comprehensive, and optimal care while advancing the elimination of brain, spine, and skull base tumors through expert clinical care, pioneering research, education, and outreach.

About the role

The Neurosurgery Advanced Practice Provider plays a vital role in delivering high-quality care across the neurosurgical continuum. The Neurosurgery Advanced Practice Provider supports complex inpatient and outpatient populations through clinical management, care coordination, and patient education. The role also contributes to research, quality improvement, and multidisciplinary care initiatives that enhance patient outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Impact quality of patient care and outcomes throughout the care continuum through clinical management and coordination of care for complex Neurosurgery outpatients.
• Conduct comprehensive history and physicals, develop plans of care, write orders, coordinate and schedule surgical procedures, secure consents, prescribe medications, and provide patient education.
• Request consultations from multidisciplinary team members to meet patients' multiple needs and requests.
• Detect, document, and manage significant changes in the Neurosurgical patient's condition.
• Assist neurosurgeons with procedures such as Gamma Knife stereotactic head frame placement and suture removal.
• Evaluate and reprogram ventriculoperitoneal and lumboperitoneal shunts.
• Manage clinics such as ventriculoperitoneal shunt check clinic and Neurosurgery survivorship clinics.
• Assess tumor survivors for late and long-term effects of treatment including surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, hormonal treatments, immunotherapy, and new targeted therapies.
• Participate in health screening, counseling, promotion, and provide referrals to programs for smoking cessation, weight management, physical activity, sexual rehabilitation, and other lifestyle habits.
• Work closely with the Brain and Spine New Patient Access team, faculty, and interdisciplinary team to provide high-level comprehensive patient triage, facilitate medical acceptance, and develop, coordinate, and maintain patient care plans.
• Perform post-operative telephone evaluations within 72 hours of patient discharge to facilitate early detection and timely management of changes in condition, reinforce post-operative education, and coordinate multidisciplinary post-operative follow-up appointments.
• Document patient information per policy.
• Participate in the consenting of Neurosurgery protocol patients.
• Develop standard operating procedures relevant to practice and actively participate in institutional initiatives supporting research and quality improvement goals.
• Participate in professional activities (research, presentations, publications, etc.).

Requirements

• Master's Degree in Nursing or Doctorate in Nursing Practice. Degree may be waived for applicants who obtained recognition as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse from the Texas State Board of Nursing prior to 1/1/2003. Graduate education and related Texas Board of Nursing authorization must be consistent with clinical practice area and patient population.
• Degree requirements as defined by the Texas State Board Physician Assistant Examiners (TSBPAE) or Texas State Board of Nurse Examiners (TSBNE), as required for clinical licensure as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse or Physician Assistant.
• Written authorization from the Texas Board of Nursing to function as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse.
• One of the following certifications upon hire:
  • APRN - Advanced Practice Registered Nurse
  • ACNP - Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
  • ACNPC - Acute Care Nurse Practitioner - AACCNCC
  • ACAGNP - Acute Care Adult/Gerontology NP
  • AGACNP - Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP
  • ACNPC-AG - Certified Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP
  • AGPCNP - Adult-Gero Primary Care NP
  • AGNP - Adult/Gerontology NP
  • ACPNP - Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
  • ANP - Adult Nurse Practitioner
  • FNP - Family Nurse Practitioner
  • GNP - Gerontological Nurse Practitioner
  • PNP - Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
  • PMHNP - Psych/Mental Health NP
  • WHNP - Women's Health Nurse Practitioner
  • APNP - Advanced Practice Nurse/Prescriptive
  Related authorization must be consistent with clinical practice area and patient population.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification upon hire.
• Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification upon hire if working in Pediatric - Patient Care departments.
• Authorization for limited prescriptive authority by the Texas Board of Nursing may be required.
• Must obtain and maintain relevant clinical privileges; continued employment is contingent upon maintaining these privileges.

Qualifications

• Preferred: One year of oncology experience and at least one year of neurology, neurosurgery, or neuro-oncology experience.
• Preferred: Neurosurgery or neuro-oncology experience.
• Preferred: BLS - Basic Life Support (American Heart Association).
• Preferred: ACLS - Advanced Cardiac Life Support (as required by patient care area).
• Preferred: PALS - Pediatric Advanced Life Support (as required by patient care area).

Pay

Salary Range: Minimum $117,500 - Midpoint $146,500 - Maximum $176,500

Schedule

Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Opportunity for administrative time to be done remotely after a 3-month orientation. No weekends.

Benefits

• Employer-paid medical coverage starting day one for employees working 30+ hours/week.
• Optional group dental, vision, life, AD&D, and disability insurance.
• Paid Time Off (PTO) and Extended Illness Bank accruals, plus paid holidays.
• Wellness, childcare, and other leave options.
• Tuition Assistance Program after six months of service.
• Access to extensive wellness, fitness, and employee resource groups.
• Defined-benefit pension through the Teachers Retirement System.
• Voluntary retirement plans.
• Employer-paid life and reduced salary protection programs.