Advanced Practice Provider,  Orthopaedic Surgery

The Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, Texas, is looking for a full-time Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant to work with the Attending Surgeons in direct in-patient and out-patient care as well as some clinical research.  Duties include but are not limited to, examining, and assessing new and established surgery patients; ordering, conducting, and interpreting diagnostic and laboratory tests; and serving as a liaison between the surgical service and the medical services.  The NP/PA will be responsible for patient/family teaching, discharge planning, outpatient follow-ups, and obtaining appropriate ancillary services for the care of patients.  The scope of practice will be broad and will include exposure to the operating room, inpatient floor, and outpatient settings. 

PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

Minimum Qualifications:

• Completion of a physician assistant program accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA)
• No experience required

LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS OR CERTIFICATIONS

Required:

• Certification by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA)
• Licensed Physician Assistant by the Texas Physician Assistant Board/Texas Medical Board (TPAB/TMB)

Preferred Skill/Competency: 

• Prior experience in Orthopaedic Surgery is preferred, not required.

• At least one-year Nurse Practitioner/Physician Assistant experience preferred.

• Experience and competency with Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system

Current students who have not yet completed their physician assistant program or recent graduates who have not yet obtained their NCCPA certification or TPAB/TMB physician assistant license are eligible to apply for this position. However, official employment is contingent upon the successful completion of an accredited physician assistant program, NCCPA certification and TPAB/TMB physician assistant licensure.

NURSE PRACTITIONER

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

Minimum Qualifications:

• Completion of a graduate level (or higher) nurse practitioner program accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• No experience required

LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS OR CERTIFICATIONS

Required:

• Certification by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP)
• Licensed Registered Nurse (RN) by the Texas Board of Nursing (TBON)
• Licensed Advanced Practice Registered Nurse ACUTE CARE nurse practitioner clinical area of specialization by the Texas Board of Nursing (TBON)

Preferred Skill/Competency: 

• Prior experience in Orthopaedic Surgery is preferred, not required.

• At least one-year Nurse Practitioner/Physician Assistant experience preferred.

• Experience and competency with Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system

Current RNs who have not yet completed their nurse practitioner program or recent graduates who have not yet obtained their ANCC/AANP certification or APRN nurse practitioner license are eligible to apply for this position. However, official employment is contingent upon the successful completion of an accredited nurse practitioner program, ANCC/AANP certification and APRN nurse practitioner licensure.

JOB SUMMARY

Performs responsible clinical care in collaboration with the unit physician and under approved protocols, manages the medical aspects of care in the observation, assessment, diagnosis, intervention, evaluation, rehabilitation, care and counsel, and health teachings of persons who are ill, injured or infirm or experiencing changes in normal health processes; and in the promotion and maintenance of health of prevention of illness in a clinical setting.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Obtains medical histories, organizes relevant data, performs physical examinations, and suggests pertinent laboratory, radiographic or other studies that are needed to establish or support a diagnosis.
• Performs preliminary reviews of radiographs, laboratory data, ECG’s and other relevant clinical information; formulates and orders (Physician Assistant / Nurse Practitioner license) therapeutic regimens for treatment of pathologic states or disabling entities.
• Documents histories, physical examinations, and relevant clinical information, ensuring adequate documentation of existing medical conditions; medically classifies patients according to physical, functional and emotional capabilities.
• Monitors treatment progress and protocols of patients in chronic care clinical settings; counsels patients on preventive medicine regimens; reviews medical records or therapeutic regimens to insure proper content and appropriateness of medical regimen. 
• Provides patient counseling and health instruction about medical problems, nutrition, medication and principles of health promotion and maintenance.
• Serves as representative and emissary of the physician in delegated matters of related duties as required. Interdisciplinary coordination and clinical care responsibilities.
• Documents all health care encounters and relevant clinical information in the electronic medical records. 
• Identifies appropriate internal controls for department; provides mechanisms to monitor and enforce compliance.
• Performs related duties as required.

In Patient Responsibilities

• Provide patient care assistance for Orthopaedic Surgery patients in the inpatient setting under the supervision of the surgical faculty.
• Obtain detailed patient histories and complete physical examinations.
• Competently and consistently complete accurate, concise, and legible documentation on hospital records
• Provide patient education regarding peri-operative and post operative care of surgery patient.
• Facilitate communication between members of interdisciplinary team and consulting providers.
• Facilitate the transition from inpatient to outpatient settings including coordination of care, referrals to appropriate disposition/post hospital care, communication with post- surgery coordinators and providers.
• Assist with planning and design of clinical protocol development for Orthopaedic Surgery.
• Participate in quality management.
• Practice evidence-based, patient centered care.
• Participate in the education of medical students, residents, PA students, pharmacy students, and nursing students.
• Assist in the education of hospital nursing staff concerning the care of surgery patients according to quality measures.

Outpatient Responsibilities

• To provide patient care assistance for Orthopaedic Surgery patients in the outpatient/clinic setting under the supervision of the surgical faculty.

•  Attend and participate in pre and post clinics at Victory Lakes, TDCJ and UTMB Galveston, and League City campuses.

• Obtain detailed patient histories and complete physical examinations.

• Competently and consistently complete accurate, concise, and legible documentation on hospital records.

• Provide patient education regarding pre Orthopaedic surgery, peri-operative, and post operative care of Orthopaedic surgery patient.

• Facilitate communication between members of interdisciplinary team and other providers including coordination of care, referrals to appropriate diagnostic or therapeutic care, communication with pre and/or post-Orthopaedic coordinators and providers.

Salary Range:
Commensurate with experience.