Nurse Practitioner/Physician Assistant - Duke Neurosurgery - Spine

Job Summary

We are seeking an Advanced Practice Provider (APP) for our Department of Neurosurgery at Duke University Hospital and Duke Regional Hospital located in Durham, NC. The APP will provide direct patient care services in collaboration with the supervising physician to patients with normal pressure hydrocephalus, idiopathic intracranial hypertension, adult Chiari, adults with shunts and needing trauma follow-up.

Job Duties & Responsibilities

• Perform diagnostic and therapeutic procedures to assist physician in diagnosing medical and surgical problems and prescribing necessary treatment and services for quality patient care.
• Record the normal and abnormal data for review by the physician.
• Take patient histories, conduct physical examinations, and record the data in the patient's record; write progress notes; prepare patient workups and summaries noting pertinent positive and negative findings.
• Respond to patient inquiries and concerns via telephone or MyChart accessible during work hours and consult with supervising physician as needed.
• Order and schedule laboratory studies and diagnostic procedures; explain necessity, preparation, nature and anticipated effects of scheduled diagnostic and therapeutic procedures to the patient. Arrange inpatient admission for patients if needed.
• Carry out therapeutic procedures such as wound suturing and dressing changes; monitor progress of patients, report progress to supervising physician, and maintain record of each patient's progress, consulting with supervising physician when patient's progress does not meet anticipated and/or predetermined criteria.
• Perform basic procedures, especially lumbar punctures, for screening of patients with normal pressure hydrocephalus.
• Participate in basic science and clinical research projects conducted by supervising physician; prepare statistical reports and analyses setting forth progress, adverse trends and appropriate recommendations or conclusions. Review the work of lower-rated employees; train new personnel.
• Participate in teaching students and residents in techniques and procedures which are unique to specific clinical setting.

Job Eligibility Requirements

• Education: Nurse Practitioners: Work requires completion of an accredited Nurse Practitioner program, with a Master's degree in Nursing. Physician Assistants: Completion of an accredited Physician Assistant program. A Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree strongly preferred.
• Certification: BLS required.
• Licenses: Nurse Practitioners: Must have current or compact RN licensure in the state of North Carolina. National certification as a NP required prior to or within 6 months of employment. Physician Assistants: Must be licensed in the state of NC, and be certified as a Physician Assistant by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants.
• Experience: 2+ years of Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant work experience – neurosurgery, neurology or ortho spine preferred. Research experience is preferred.

Job Hours

Primary hours will be Monday through Friday 7:30 AM – 5:00 PM with hours flexible to meet the needs of the patients. Flexibility needed for in-hospital consults and rounding.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard.