Advanced Practice Registered Nurse - Neurosurgery

The Neurosurgery department at MD Anderson's Cancer Center provides coordinated, comprehensive and optimal care. We are working to eliminate tumors of the brain, spine and skull base through compassionate and expert neurosurgical care, pioneering research, education and outreach. Neurosurgery is dedicated to being a worldwide leader in neurosurgical oncology that revolutionizes patient care.

Purpose/Function :

To promote, provide and maintain patient care under physician supervision for patients with cerebral metastasis in the Multidisciplinary Brain Metastasis Clinic (Neurosurgery, Radiation Oncology, Neuro-Oncology and Medical Oncology).

Scope :

Affect patient care and outcomes throughout the disease process across the UT M.D. Anderson Cancer Center according to the policies and procedures provided by the UT MDACC and the State of Texas as they relate to physician assistants and advance practice nurses. Serves as a central navigator for site specific specialty clinics.

The ideal candidate for the Brain Metastases Advance Practice Provider position will have at least one year of experience as a medical oncology APP at MD Anderson, specifically working with patients enrolled on clinical trials.

This is an outpatient role with a hybrid schedule. We expect the new hire to be onsite for the first three months of orientation.

Work Schedule:

• Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
• Coverage for GK procedures every other week, one day starting at 6:45 a.m.
• No weekends

Salary Range: Minimum $117,500.00 - Midpoint $146,500.00 - Maximum $176,500.00

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

I. ACCESS

1. Interacts with referring physicians and patients in order to obtain the medical information necessary to ensure the appropriate, timely and efficient entry of highly complex and/or special patients into the Brain Metastasis Center. This activity will include assisting the Business Center staff to screen referrals for appropriateness of care and reviewing completed new patient consult materials in order to request additional information needed for specific patients.
2. Assist in the referral/consult process for highly complex patients by directing referrals to the appropriate service and treatment modality.
3. Serves as a resource for Business Center Staff:

a. Assists with the prioritization of scheduling new patients based on established criteria

b. Serves as a resource for the Patient Access Coordinator when advanced clinical expertise is needed or when patients do not clearly meet intake criteria

c. Educates the staff regarding new treatment protocols and treatment options

d. Coordinates the intake process for patients when needed

II. ACCESS & CLINIC COORDINATION

1. Works with appropriate members of the healthcare team, coordinates the development of acceptance criteria and the delineation of treatment options available to patients. Assists patients who decide not to come to MD Anderson by providing alternative treatment solutions in their local or regional communities.
2. Ensure that patient appointments are well coordinated for multi-disciplinary visit

III. ASSESSMENT

1. Conduct initial and ongoing physical examinations including comprehensive neurological examinations based on age and diagnosis, and psychological status.

2. Identify normal/abnormal health characteristics.

3. Handle physician calls related to patient care for the assigned service.

4. Facilitates communication between patient/family and interdisciplinary team.

5. Makes appropriate referrals.

6. In cases of emergency, do everything possible within the scope of the license and certification to save a patient's life or to save a patient from serious harm.

1. Perform clinical assessment and management of treatment-related side effects.
2. Formulate working/differential diagnoses and stage work-up specific to service.

IV. PLANNING

1. Develop and manage clinical treatment plans, monitor outcomes, and initiate appropriate care.

2. Use appropriate judgment to work autonomously and collaborate with the healthcare team to manage patient care throughout the continuum in a variety of settings.

V. IMPLEMENTATION

1. Order consultations for ancillary services.

2. Orders the appropriate diagnostic tests and procedures in a timely manner. Dictate specific notes as directed by supervising physicians and departments (e.g. consultation notes, follow-up notes, telephone notes).

1. Assists physicians with procedures such as Gamma Knife stereotactic head frame placement and suture removal. The APP evaluates and reprograms ventriculoperitoneal shunts.
2. Maintain institutional and divisional compliance with radiation safety precautions.
3. Perform duties as assigned.
4. Order interventions related to mobility, nutrition, and elimination.
5. Initiate clinical treatment plan and continuously monitor, evaluate effectiveness of therapeutic interventions, monitor cancer survivorship and accept accountability for healthcare outcomes.
6. Perform delegated functions under the supervision of the physicians.
7. Provides consultation to colleagues and allied personnel, making recommendations regarding treatment.
8. Treat variety of human responses throughout the health care spectrum according to institutional and departmental practice guidelines, protocols and/or standing orders.

VI. EVALUATION

1. Promote quality health care through integration of current research into practice.

2. Personally reviews radiographs and results dictated by radiologist.

1. Contributes to the research efforts of the departments and applies pertinent research to clinical practice

a. Completes database forms

b. Identifies clinical problems amenable to research methods

c. Collaborates with medical staff, research nurses, and other health professionals to complete research initiatives

d. Assists in enrolling patients on clinical trials.

e. Applies pertinent research to clinical practice

VII. DOCUMENTATION

1. Sign or complete a hospital medication order as provided by MD Anderson Policy VII.A.1.032. and the Texas Occupation Code, Chapter 156.

2. Sign or complete a prescription as provided by MD Anderson Policy VII.A.1.032 and the Texas Occupation Code, Chapter 156.

3. Record findings in the medical record.

4. Dictate notes (as specified by assigned physician) as per departmental guidelines and time frames.

5. Completes paperwork which may include letters, FMLA, disability and insurance forms for patients.

6. Completes peer to peer reviews and provides information to facilitate insurance authorizations for testing and treatment.

VIII. COMMUNICATION

1. Use interpersonal, nonverbal and verbal communication skills to effectively manage patient related situations and outcomes.

2. Serve as clinical resource, utilizing knowledge and critical thinking skills to act as interdisciplinary consultant and client advocate.

IX. EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

1. Maintain current knowledge of clinical research practices and protocols via ongoing meetings with research team, APP Supervisor, administrative director, and physicians.

2. Attend various institutional and division committee/council meetings based on specified amount of meetings required to attend annually by division.

3. Provide care, education and counseling services to patients, families and groups to meet their needs, emphasizing health promotion and disease prevention as well as the diagnosis and management of acute and chronic disease.

4. Function as preceptor for APP orientees on the assigned service. This includes but is not limited to actively participating in the orientation process via one-on-one in-servicing regarding clinic operations (outpatient and inpatient consultations, weekly sees, follow-ups), documentation, prescriptive authority, dosimetry and treatment equipment, to name a few.

EDUCATION

REQUIRED: Degree requirements as defined by the Texas Board of Nursing (BON) or Texas State Board of Physician Assistant Examiners (TSBPAE) as required for clinical licensure as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse or Physician Assistant.

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Required: Minimum of one year as an Advanced Practice Provider providing clinical service in an outpatient setting.
• Preferred: One year experience as a Clinical Advanced Practice Provider in Medical Oncology or Neurology-related field

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS
REQUIRED: Written authorization from the Texas Board of Nursing (BON) or Texas State Board of Physician Assistant Examiners (TSBPAE) to function as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse or Physician Assistant. Related authorization must be consistent with clinical practice area and patient population. Basic Life Support (BLS) or Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification. MAY BE REQUIRED: Eligible to be granted limited prescriptive authority by the State of Texas.

PREFERRED: American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS), ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) or PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support) certification as required by patient care area.

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center offers excellent benefits , including medical, dental, paid time off , retirement , tuition benefits, educational opportunities, and individual and team recognition.

This position may be responsible for maintaining the security and integrity of critical infrastructure, as defined in Section 113.001(2) of the Texas Business and Commerce Code and therefore may require routine reviews and screening. The ability to satisfy and maintain all requirements necessary to ensure the continued security and integrity of such infrastructure is a condition of hire and continued employment.

It is the policy of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center to provide equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by institutional policy or by federal, state, or local laws unless such distinction is required by law.

Additional Information

• Requisition ID: 178657
• Employment Status: Full-Time
• Employee Status: Regular
• Work Week: Day/Evening, Days, Varied, Weekends
• Minimum Salary: US Dollar (USD) 117,500
• Midpoint Salary: US Dollar (USD) 146,500
• Maximum Salary : US Dollar (USD) 176,500
• FLSA: exempt and not eligible for overtime pay
• Fund Type: Hard
• Work Location: Hybrid Onsite/Remote
• Pivotal Position: No
• Referral Bonus Available?: Yes
• Relocation Assistance Available?: Yes

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