Nurse Practitioner, NP/Physician Assistant, PA - General Surgery

About the role

The Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant is responsible for providing medical or surgical services to patients; collecting and documenting data; conducting diagnostic and therapeutic procedures; ordering and scheduling necessary studies and professional consultations; and providing direct patient care services to include prescribing medications and other therapies as needed.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with other health care providers while functioning within the boundaries of the appropriate advanced practice category.
• Practice within the advanced specialty and role appropriate to advanced educational preparation.
• Act independently and/or in collaboration with the health team in the observation, assessment, diagnosis, intervention, evaluation, rehabilitation, care, counsel, and health teachings of persons who are ill, injured, or experiencing changes in normal health processes, and in the promotion and maintenance of health or prevention of illness.
• Utilize mechanisms which provide authority for care, such as protocols or other written authorization.
• Assess and manage patient health problems including actual and potential conditions within the hospital, clinic, or outpatient setting.
• Identify, evaluate, and address disease prevention/health promotion issues of the population in practice while administering quality patient care.
• Diagnose and treat acute, chronic, and long-term healthcare issues.
• Plan, implement, and evaluate health care treatments.
• Obtain history and physical examinations on patients of all appropriate age groups per scope of practice.
• Assess and interpret laboratory and radiological findings.
• Utilize critical thinking skills to individualize patient care in order to manage illnesses, promote well-being, and foster rehabilitative/disease preventive lifestyle choices.
• Prescribe medications and supportive therapies to help maintain health.
• Perform advanced procedures as verified and approved per credentialing committee.
• Educate patients and/or families about preventive care, medical issues, and use of prescribed medical treatments and/or medications.
• Work in an independent and interdependent relationship with members of the medical staff, which allows for consultation, collaboration, and/or referral.
• Synthesize new knowledge gained from conferences, workshops, and professional literature.
• Teach other healthcare professionals in the classroom, clinical area, and/or community about practice, techniques, and procedures unique to the specific clinical setting.
• Participate in basic science and clinical research projects.
• Prepare statistical reports and analyses to document progress, adverse trends, and appropriate recommendations or conclusions.
• Maintain legible, accurate, and confidential medical records, including documenting all medical evaluations, diagnosis, procedures, treatments, outcomes, education, referrals, and consultations consistent with governing boards such as NCQA, JCAHO, federal and state regulatory standards.

Requirements

• 2–3 years of experience preferred.
• Current Texas State Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) license or PA license.
• Advanced Nursing Degree or Master's Degree required.
• Certification in Basic Life Support (CPR), American Heart Association.
• Experience in the specialty area preferred.
• Experience in both clinical and management areas.
• Demonstrated ability to problem-solve and market services effectively.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Strong team-oriented approach and interdepartmental collaboration-based principles.