Instructor/Physician Associate (Spine)

Department Overview

The position will work with the Orthopaedic spine physicians to provide support and coordinate patient care. Overall responsibilities include accountability for planning, coordination, and delivery of clinical services within the multi-disciplinary Orthopaedic/Neurological Spine Center.  This position works closely with surgeons, physicians and rehabilitation providers in planning and executing the multi-disciplinary spine program.  The position provides leadership and guidance in the area of outpatient care and clinical support operations, with some potential for inpatient activity for the Spine Center. Works in conjunction with the Department Chairman, Vice-Chair, Department Administrator, and Spine Center Medical Directors to provide services to further the University’s mission and goals of teaching, research, patient care, outreach and public service and the Department’s/Hospital’s goal of providing effective, efficient care. Provides clinical modeling and education to departmental staff and house staff as outlined.

 

The APP delivers preventive, primary and acute healthcare services to individuals of all ages; provides advanced education to students, peers and others; and contributes to new knowledge with the option of participating in research activities. This position will be providing clinical support for multiple locations, including our main campus and off-site clinic locations.

Function/Duties of Position

Clinical Responsibilities:

• Independently evaluates new patients in the clinic and follow-up visits with physician oversight and monitoring as needed.
• Developing patient care plans to ensure continuity of care and enhance quality of orthopedic spine outpatient care
• Performs preoperative evaluations for orthopedic spine procedures.
• Manage health care and wound care during acute and chronic phases of spine treatment
• Coordinate ancillary services, such as radiology; Promote and maintain health through the use of ancillary services, educational materials and counseling of patients and families
• Document plan of care in medical record (EMR).
• Daily updates to referring providers by phone, e-mail, and fax.
• Resource to inpatient nursing and rehabilitation staff and spine providers with regard to orthopedic spine patient care.
• Responds to prescription refills and refill/justification for durable medical equipment.
• Track laboratory results, culture results and arrange for initiation of treatment or changes in treatment.
• Place hospital pre-procedure orders.
• Manages pre-operative medical clearance evaluations and follow- up on recommendations.

 

Other clinical duties include, but is not limited to: surgical assist in the OR as needed; developing and implementing, in conjunction with faculty physicians, clinical plans of care and/or protocols for spine inpatients with common conditions/diagnoses/procedures; educating the housestaff and nursing unit staff on these protocols if requested by provider, with the goal of enhancing quality of care, enhancing quality of patient service, and decreasing length of inpatient stay when needed; participating with hospital/unit staff in evaluating results of these protocols and continually improving effectiveness; working actively with hospital and unit staff to rapidly develop and implement discharge plans for spine inpatients and to address any length of stay issues.

 

Patient Education:

Utilizing an interdisciplinary approach in patient education in the outpatient and inpatient settings. This patient education consists of, but not limited to:

Multi-disciplinary spine screening, diagnosis, disease process and medical management.

Preprocedural preparation and post-procedural care

Working with Nursing Education to develop, approve, and distribute patient education materials.

 

Education: Support OHSU’s academic missions by participating in the design, development and assessment of program curriculum for professional specialty area; including course objectives, instructional methods, learning outcomes, projects and assessment measures. Teach program courses as needed according to specified learning outcomes; academic advising and career related counseling for students; monitoring student retention and identifying and assisting at-risk students. May serve as the faculty of record and principle contact for extern placements and student’s performance at the assigned site.

 

Participates in ongoing education of staff including but not limited to: Organization of inservices for pertinent clinical population, inservice training for identified procedures, and issues regarding quality patient care. Participates in the education of medical, nursing and physician as