Advanced Practice Provider

Tennessee Oncology, one of the nation’s largest community-based cancer care specialists, is home to one of the leading clinical trial networks in the country. Established in 1976 in Nashville, our mission remains unchanged: to provide access to high-quality cancer care and the expertise of clinical research for all patients, at convenient locations within their community and close to their home.

Why Join Us?

We are looking for talented and highly-motivated individuals who demonstrate a natural desire to support the meaningful work of community oncologists and the patients we serve.

About the Role

The Advanced Practice Provider (APP) provides care in a variety of settings served by Tennessee Oncology. The APP delivers quality care to specific populations in cancer prevention, screening, diagnosis, active treatment, and palliative care as part of a multidisciplinary healthcare team. The role includes assessment, diagnosis, and management of cancer or related disorders using evidence-based literature to drive positive changes in patient health and healthcare delivery.

Responsibilities

Clinical

• Assesses the physical and psychosocial status of patients.
• Obtains and documents comprehensive health history.
• Performs and documents complete, system-focused, symptom-specific physical exams.
• Assesses for symptoms commonly seen in patients with cancer, impact of physical comorbidities, signs of disease progression or recurrence, and late effects of cancer and its treatment in survivors.
• Conducts pharmacologic assessments, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, nutritional supplements, and complementary or alternative therapies.
• Recognizes deviations from normal in physical assessments.
• Orders and interprets findings of ancillary data, including laboratory and diagnostic tests.
• Prioritizes findings to identify urgent or high-priority patient problems.
• Identifies patients eligible for clinical trials based on clinical findings.
• Relays appropriate information regarding patient care to the collaborating physician.
• Communicates the plan of care to patients, caregivers, and other healthcare team members.
• Writes prescriptions for medications, blood products, routine diagnostic and follow-up studies, therapeutic measures, and post-discharge care in accordance with written practice protocols.
• Administers therapeutic measures and obtains specimens per practice guidelines.
• Provides management for symptoms of cancer and side effects related to treatment.
• Refers or requests consultations from physicians and other healthcare professionals.
• Assists in managing family dynamics and coping mechanisms during acute and chronic phases of care.
• Serves as a resource to other healthcare team members regarding quality care provision.
• Provides care for patients participating in clinical trials.
• Evaluates the quality of care provided and recommends improvements.
• Performs procedures such as bone marrow biopsies as warranted by clinic needs.
• Takes call as required by clinic need, including:
  • Responding to patient/family phone calls.
  • Rounding in the hospital on weekends or as requested by the supervising physician.
  • Responding to hospital phone calls.
  • Admitting patients to the hospital as needed.
  • Contacting the supervising physician for appropriate backup.
• Maintains certification through the American Nursing Credentialing Center.
• Maintains current Basic Life Support certification for healthcare providers.
• Performs other duties as requested by the supervising physician.

Teaching

• Educates patients and families on proposed treatment plans using age- and culturally-appropriate methods (e.g., diagrams, handouts, booklets).
• Facilitates patient decision-making regarding discontinuing active cancer treatment while optimizing supportive care.
• Educates cancer survivors about their risk of long-term effects of cancer and its treatment.
• Provides formal and informal education to staff in oncology care.
• Participates in developing educational materials for patients and healthcare providers.
• Presents updates in cancer care and specialty-specific information at local, regional, and national levels.
• Engages in community discussions, support groups, and informal consultations to provide oncology education and support.

Communication

• Reports patient information accurately and in a timely manner.
• Edits dictation as needed.
• Works effectively with others and utilizes the chain of command.
• Collaborates with other health disciplines to ensure continuity and quality of care.
• Represents the APP in department and board meetings, sharing information with the APP group.

Requirements

• Current knowledge of oncology and primary care.
• Ability to work independently.
• Knowledge of Tennessee Oncology Advanced Practice Provider Guidelines.
• Knowledge of the Advanced Practice Practitioner role as outlined in the Tennessee Oncology Policy and Procedure Manual.
• Tennessee Oncology skills certification as required by the APP’s specific clinic, including but not limited to bone marrow biopsies, skin punch biopsies, paracentesis, and specialized accessing of chemotherapy delivery devices.

Qualifications

• License to practice as an RN or PA in the state of Tennessee.
• Master’s degree in nursing or certification as a Physician Assistant.
• National certification as an APP (American Nurses Credentialing Center, American Academy of Nurse Practitioners) or Clinical Nurse Specialist who meets criteria for certificate of fitness to prescribe medications (e.g., AOCN, AOCNP, AOCNS) or certification by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants.
• Minimum of one year of oncology nurse experience preferred. APPs without oncology experience are expected to work as a staff nurse for a minimum of one month before transitioning into the APP role.
• APPs without sufficient experience as a Registered Nurse are required to work as a staff nurse for a minimum of 12 months.

Physical Requirements

• Must be willing and able to lift up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to remain upright on feet for most of the time.
• Must be able to remain in a stationary position half of the time.
• Ability to communicate, distinguish sounds, and visualize.
• Regular manual dexterity.
• Occasional reaching or stretching.
• Occasional crouching or stooping.