Director of Advanced Practitioners for Medicine, Surgery, and Critical Care

Under limited supervision, collaborates with Physician and Administrative Leaders to provide leadership & development opportunities. This role may include intermittent patient care activities of medical, surgical, and critical care inpatients in accordance with hospital, State and National regulatory agency standards. Responsible for supervising the day-to-day schedules and activities of assigned Physician Assistants and Nurse Practitioners for the Hospitalist, Inpatient Surgery, and Critical Care units.

Education

Physician Assistant Program / Nurse Practitioner Program, BS degree required, MS preferred

Experience

At least 3-5 years of related work, inpatient hospital experience; 3-5 years related management experience in a healthcare environment required

Skills

• A high level of analytical ability required in order to assess situations, problem solve, develop goals., objectives, clinical protocols, critical pathways, case management practices, and policies and procedures and implement appropriate interventions.
• Skill in leading, motivating, training and developing others
• Skill in managing fiscal resources
• Management and clinical skills in order to work effectively with executive management, physicians, and insurers
• Written and oral communication and interpersonal skills required to communicate and relate information effectively with staff, the public, physicians, and insurers

Licensures, Certifications

• Licensed as a Physician Assistant by the Board of Medical Examiners of Maryland / Current registration with the Maryland State Board of Examiners of Nurses as a Nurse Practitioner.
• Healthcare Provider CPR biennial
• Completion of “ACLS” preferred
• Certified by NCCPA – National Commission of Certification of Physician Assistant if a PA, or
• Certified by the Maryland Board of Nursing in Specialty if a Nurse Practitioner

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

Assumes responsibility for the initial evaluation and treatment of patients in assigned areas. 

• Performs initial history and physical as evidenced by appropriate documentation
• Initiate referral to appropriate health care professional or physician of problems that exceed the NP/PA scope of practice.
• Monitor and manage stable chronic illnesses of the adult population.
• Obtain and perform medical/social histories and perform physical examination as indicated.
• Order diagnostic testing and therapeutic modalities (medications, IV fluids, etc.)
• Perform acts of diagnosis and treatment as determined by established written protocols.
• Write appropriate standard and medication orders
• Discuss with attending physician and nursing staff, physical or emotional findings that impact patient care.

Evaluates patient progress on a continuing basis and, in collaboration with the attending physician, alters treatment modalities, including:

• Evaluates nursing, medical, social, and educational needs on assigned patients. 
• Initiates referral to appropriate ancillary departments and community resources based on patient need and documents on the progress note.
• Writes progress notes daily, documenting pertinent information regarding patient progress and treatment regime.
• Writes orders appropriate to the patient's care requirements in compliance with hospital policy.
• Establishes medical diagnoses in compliance with standard accepted medical practice.
• Refers to the attending physician or designee those problems, which require consultation and documents it on progress note.
• Makes immediate referral of acute and/or life threatening patient conditions to attending physician or designee.  Documents physical findings and treatment plan pertaining to same. 

Performs technical functions as covered by the job description and delegation agreement submitted to BPQA in accordance with hospital policy including:

• Documents results of technical functions performed and patient response. 
• Reports to physician or designee any abnormal findings related to it.
• Monitors patient response related to technical function performed and documents it.
• Actively supports and participates in nursing and/or hospital performance improvement initiatives.