Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant - Neurosurgery ICU

Evaluating and managing inpatients on the Neurological Surgery Service. The successful applicant will be an Advanced Practice Provider interested in working full-time in the care of patients on the Neuroscience Intensive Care Unit. The APP will join a busy Neuroscience ICU Division that includes 5 Neuro-intensivists and 9 Advanced Practice Providers with plans for further expansion.

Responsibilities

• Provides direct care to patients through the following activities:
  • Takes comprehensive history and performs physical examinations
  • Evaluates and treats on the basis of history, physical examination, radiological, laboratory, and other diagnostic test results pursuant to the practice agreement or scope of practice guideline
  • Performs therapeutic procedures in accordance with procedural privileges, skill and proficiency as approved by the Clinical Division Chief, including but not limited to:
    • Lumbar Puncture
    • Central Venous line placement
    • Pulmonary Artery Catheterization
    • Arterial line placement
    • Endotracheal Intubation
    • Chest Tube placement
    • Bronchoscopy
    • Thoracentesis
    • Paracentesis
    • Suturing/stapling, and removal of catheters/tubes/drains as needed
  • Initiates referrals to other health care providers, and/or consults with the attending physician or the collaborating physician
  • Potential to first assist in the operating room
  • Documents and bills for direct care provided
  • Utilizes current research and evidence-based decision-making in all clinical practice
  • Performs and participates in quality/performance improvement activities and clinical research
  • Participates in and supports accreditation, compliance, and regulatory activities of the organization
  • Demonstrates responsibility for professional practice through active participation in professional organizations and continuing education
  • Potential to precept students at MUSC enrolled as an advanced practice provider student; and facilitates the learning of other new team members
  • Maintains licenses, certifications, CNEs/CMEs, etc. as required by applicable policies and state law

Requirements

• Completion of an accredited Physician Assistant program and currently licensed or eligible for licensure as a Physician Assistant or completion of an accredited Nurse Practitioner Program and currently licensed or eligible for licensure as an APRN as noted below.
• All certifications must be current and complete prior to start date:
  • Basic Life Support (BLS)
  • Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS)
• DHEC and DEA license applications must be started prior to first day.

Qualifications

• Required License Type/Certification:
  • AGPNP/ANP (Adult Gerontology Primary Care NP or Adult NP): Adult patients (13 years to death), stable chronic disease state management or primary care setting.
  • FNP (Family NP): (birth to death) Stable chronic disease state management, primary care across the lifespan.
• Preferred License Type/Certification:
  • AGACNP/ACNP (Adult Gerontology Acute Care NP/Acute Care Nurse Practitioner): Adult patients (13 years to death), acutely ill or injured, potentially unstable, or technologically dependent (vents, drips, monitors, etc.).
  • At least 1 year of Neurosurgical care as a NP/PA-C experience is preferred.

Schedule

• (14) 13-hour shifts in a month which includes nights, weekends, and holiday coverage.
• Scheduled weekly hours: 40

Physical Requirements

• Continuous requirements are to perform job functions while standing, walking, and sitting.
• Ability to bend at the waist, kneel, climb stairs, reach in all directions, fully use both hands and legs, possess good finger dexterity, perform repetitive motions with hands/wrists/elbows and shoulders, reach in all directions.
• Ability to be qualified physically for respirator use, initially and as required.
• Maintain 20/40 vision corrected, see and recognize objects close at hand and at a distance, work in a latex-safe environment, and work indoors.
• Frequently lift, lower, push, pull, and/or carry objects weighing 50 lbs (+/-) unassisted, exert up to 50 lbs of force, lift from 36" to overhead 25 lbs.
• Infrequently work in dusty areas and confined/cramped spaces.

Degree of Supervision: Advanced Practice Registered Nurse or Physician Assistant will be assigned a Primary Supervising/Collaborating Physician employed by MUSC and will report directly to this physician.

Patient Population Focus: Neuroscience Intensive Care Unit (ICU)

Patient Population Age Range: 13 years to death