APP, Hospitalist

Job Description

APP provides care at Centennial Medical Center oncology inpatient unit. The APP provides quality care to inpatients with hematologic and oncologic diagnoses who are admitted to the hospital to treat complications of their malignancy, complications of their treatment, palliative care, or for chemotherapy. The APP uses evidence-based literature and works toward evidence-based practice to effect a positive change in the health and healthcare delivered to the patient with a past, current, or potential diagnosis of cancer.

Essential Functions

• Clinical Assessments: Clinical assessments include obtaining and documenting comprehensive health histories, performing and documenting complete, system-focused, symptom-specific physical exams, assessing for symptoms commonly seen in patients with cancer, recognizing deviations from normal in the physical assessment, ordering and interpreting ancillary data, and identifying patients who may be eligible for entry into clinical trials based on clinical findings.
• Documentation and Communication: Documents findings and communicates the plan of care to patients, caregivers, and other members of the healthcare team. Writes prescriptions for medication, blood products, and other therapeutic measures, and administers therapeutic measures and obtains specimens in accordance with practice guidelines. Relays appropriate information regarding patient care to the collaborating physician.
• Referrals and Consultations: Refers or requests consultations from physicians and other health care professionals. Assists in managing family dynamics and coping mechanisms during acute and chronic phases of patient care. Serves as a resource to other members of the healthcare team regarding provision of quality care.
• Continuity of Care: Provides continuity of care to patients in the inpatient and outpatient setting to achieve optimal patient outcomes and patient satisfaction. Provides care for patients participating in clinical trials. Evaluates the quality of care provided and recommends changes for improvement.
• Procedures: Performs procedures as warranted. Takes call as required. May provide on-call coverage mutually scheduled by supervising physician and Advanced Practice Providers.
• Teaching: Educates patients and families on the treatment plan proposed. Utilizes a variety of age and culturally appropriate teaching methods such as diagrams, handouts, booklets. Facilitates patient decision-making regarding discontinuation of active cancer treatment while optimizing supportive care. Educates cancer survivors regarding their risk of long-term effects of cancer and its treatment. Provides formal and informal education to staff in oncology care. Participates in the development of educational materials for patients and healthcare providers. Presents updates in cancer care and specialty-specific information to professionals at the local, regional, and national levels.
• Communication: Reports patient information in an accurate, timely manner. Complies with inpatient Meditech documentation requirements. Edits dictation. 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 departmental meetings and shares information with the APP group.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Current knowledge of inpatient malignant hematology/oncology and cellular therapy.
• Ability to work independently.
• Knowledge of Tennessee Oncology Advanced Practice Provider Collaborative Practice Guidelines.
• Knowledge of the Advanced Practice Provider as outlined in the Tennessee Oncology Policy and Procedure Manual.
• Skills certification as required by the APPs specific role including but not limited to, BMBx, skin punch biopsies, paracentesis, and specialized accessing of chemotherapy delivery devices.

Education & Experience

• License to practice as NP or PA in the state of Tennessee required.
• Master’s degree in nursing or certification as a Physician Assistant required.
• National certification as Nurse Practitioner (American Nurses' Credentialing Center or American Academy of Nurse Practitioners) or Certification by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants required.
• BLS Provider credentialed from American Heart Association (AHA) obtained prior to hire date.
• Minimum of one year oncology nurse experience preferred.