APP - Neurosurgery (Outpatient)

West Virginia University Health System, the state’s largest health system and largest private employer, comprises 18 hospitals throughout the state and bordering states. In addition, it includes five institutes, as well as providing management services for other local hospitals through affiliate agreements.

About the role

The Advanced Practice Professional (APP) coordinates and manages comprehensive care for outpatient/ambulatory neurosurgery patients, including biological, social, and psychological assessments. The APP develops and reviews care plans with the clinical team, performs diagnostic/therapeutic procedures, and coordinates ongoing management of neurosurgical patients. The role also involves educating residents and medical/nursing students.

Responsibilities

• Manages comprehensive and individualized care for neurosurgery patients and their families in the ambulatory setting.
• Completes acute assessments, pre-procedure evaluations, surgical evaluations, and ongoing follow-up in the ambulatory setting.
• Develops integrated and comprehensive treatment/surgical plans in collaboration with neurosurgery faculty or using established clinical guidelines and protocols.
• Orders additional tests or consults as deemed appropriate and performs/communicates results of diagnostic tests.
• Consults and communicates with clinic and hospital staff regarding abnormal findings in patient evaluations.
• Performs succinct, comprehensive clinical evaluations and documents findings in the medical record.
• Facilitates patient management by coordinating services and tests prior to admission and for outpatient follow-up.
• Develops individualized plans of care, including teaching, disposition planning, follow-up, and referrals to other healthcare team members.
• 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.
• Evaluates patients and coordinates follow-up procedures and tests in the ambulatory setting.
• Provides acute and ongoing care for neurosurgery patients in the ambulatory setting.
• 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 identified clinical competencies.
• Serves as a resource for staff caring for neurosurgery 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 clearly and concisely 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 neurosurgery practice to positively impact patient outcomes.
• Works collaboratively with medical and nursing staff to facilitate creative problem-solving and provide professional support.
• Participates in and initiates interdisciplinary approaches to patient care, program development, and education.
• Serves as a professional role model and promotes innovation in the delivery of care to neurosurgery patients.
• Participates in and provides leadership for committees and task forces.
• Documents hours and submits billing reports, as appropriate.
• Reviews and interprets neurosurgery data from patient registries, clinical and financial reports, and recommends/implements changes as necessary.
• Participates in clinical trials and research studies with the Principal Investigator.
• Assists neurosurgery 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 required; additional Advanced Life Support training at the discretion of the department.
• Neurosurgery or acute care experience preferred; eligible new graduates will be considered.
• APRNs requesting to be privileged as OR First Assists in perioperative services must complete an ANOR-approved RNFA Certificate program and obtain a passing grade.

For Physician Assistant:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree as a Physician Assistant from an ARC-PA-approved 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 required; additional Advanced Life Support training at the discretion of the department.
• Master’s level degree as Physician Assistant preferred.

Physical Requirements

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

Working Environment

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

Skills and Abilities

• Proficiency with computers.
• Strong communication skills.

Schedule

Scheduled Weekly Hours: 40