Acute Care Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant: Ortho Service

Job Description

 

We are Seeking an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner or Physician’s Assistant to cover the Ortho department at the University of Maryland Medical System. 

Job Description

 

1. Principal Responsibilities and Tasks

   The following statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification.  They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by personnel so classified.

 

1. 1. Daily clinical responsibilities include:
      1. Regularly visits pre- and post-operative patients, independently or with attending physician and/or students, to monitor patient progress in accordance with Medical System policies and procedures and generally accepted professional practice and The Joint Commission standards.

• • • Rounds on inpatients to monitor patient progress in accordance with policies and procedures; relays any problems or concerns to physician.  Writes progress notes in-patient charts indicating patient status and treatment or procedures performed.
    • Orders laboratory tests, x-rays and special tests and dressing changes.
    • Reviews patient records to determine health status.
    • Notifies attending physician on call, house physician on call or supervising physician (or surgeon) regarding any unusual or unexpected events or problems requiring direct physician consultation.
    • Writes orders, including those of narcotics, stimulants and depressant drugs as necessary.
    • Assists in the preoperative planning and documentation in keeping with protocols.  Duties include obtaining necessary clinical photography, measurement and construction of frame prior to surgery.  Collects bone measurement data and records for future reference and research purposes.

1. 1. 1. Interviews patients for health history and performs physical examinations.  Obtains thorough medical histories to include allergies, past medical conditions, current meds review of systems, family history, social history, present illness and performing complete physical examinations of patients according to established procedures and schedules.
      2. Answers patient calls promptly; researches, investigates and resolves patient problems to the satisfaction of the patient and the physician.  Alerts the appropriate medical personnel regarding patient problems as needed.

• • •      May take call during non-routine working hours to assist attending               physicians in urgent and emergency procedures.

D.           Performs clinical procedures such as the application of dressings and bandages, casting and splinting, removal and adjustment of frames, suturing, and administration of medications.  Performs these tasks independently, using universal precautions and following prescribed protocols of the hospital.

• • • First and second assistance during surgery requires:  prepping and draping patients, placing foley catheter, giving pre and post operative health care instruction to the patient, and transporting the patient from the O.R. to the PACU.

 

E.           Demonstrates mastery skill as an advanced practice provider in the field of specialty

• • • Demonstrates excellence in clinical assessment and decision-making including diagnostic reasoning and problem solving.
    • Serves as a mentor to assist other APPs to develop expertise in clinical skills, decision-making, diagnostic reasoning and problem solving.
    • Mentors others in leading development and implementation of evidence based best practices.
    • Serves as interdisciplinary team leader or committee chair that leads initiatives to improve patient outcomes.
    • Takes the lead in difficult situational decision-making, viewed as a resource for other healthcare team members.
    • Leads or mentors others in leading quality improvement initiatives in area of practice.
    • Serves as a role model and educator for physician assistants and other healthcare personnel.