Physician Assistant - Orthopedic Surgery Hospitalist

At Duke Health, we're driven by a commitment to compassionate care that changes the lives of patients, their loved ones, and the greater community. No matter where your talents lie, join us and discover how we can advance health together.

 

About Duke University Hospital

Pursue your passion for caring with Duke University Hospital in Durham, North Carolina, which is consistently ranked among the best in the United States. The largest of Duke Health's four hospitals with 1062 patient beds, it features comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic facilities, including a regional emergency/trauma center, an endo-surgery center, and more.

 

 

Job Location      

Duke University Hospital

 

Job Summary

The Duke Inpatient Orthopedic Advanced Practice Provider (APP) provides direct patient care services to Orthopedic patients for the adult patient population in collaboration with the attending physicians, fellows, residents and other APPs.  The APP performs physical exams, collects and documents data, conducts diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, orders and schedules laboratory studies and professional consultations, prescribes appropriate interventions and medications, coordinates care, and provides direct patient care services. The APP contributes to excellence in patient care, research, teaching, and provides leadership to the organization.

 

•             95% inpatient floor coverage, up to 5% of clinical effort in clinic (ortho trauma patient population only)

•             Potential operating room responsibilities (total knee/hip cases including primary and revision)

•             No on-call responsibilities

•             Includes adult patient populations covering all Orthopedic sub-services patient including total joint, trauma, tumor, sports, foot & ankle, etc.

 

Job Duties and Responsibilities

• In collaboration with attending surgeon(s) and/or residents, round daily on patients to assess, diagnose, plan treatment, set priorities and realistic outcomes, and evaluate the effectiveness and cost efficiency of patient care.
• Provide and coordinate clinical care for service-specific patients through established protocols and under the hospitalist supervising physician or backup physician who is either on-site or available by pager.
• Collaborate with the chief resident, residents, fellows, attendings, other NP/PA colleagues, nurses, and patient resource managers to formulate treatment plans and monitor patient progress.
• Order and interpret appropriate diagnostic and laboratory tests.
• Perform procedures specific to the work environment after demonstrating competency and within the guidelines of the scope of practice and credentialing protocols. Document patient preparation and response to procedure(s).    Procedures (include but are not limited to):
  • Wound care including wound vac management
  • Operating room assisting
  • Intra-articular injection
  • Casting/splint management

• Assess patients for change in status and institute appropriate interventions.  Initiate emergency interventions to stabilize the patient until support arrives.
• Postoperative stabilization and management.
• Develop patient care pathways, protocols, and guidelines for the management of specific problems in conjunction with physicians and other members of the health care team.
• Analyze clinical practice patterns to provide the best medical care and to increase effectiveness and efficiency.
• Communicate verbally and in writing all pertinent patient information to the supervising MD, nursing staff, patient resource manager, home health agency, and other relevant healthcare providers.
• Document in the patient’s medical record all relevant data including but not limited to results of diagnostic tests; laboratory results; patients’ condition and response to therapies/interventions; and communications with the supervising MD.
• Utilize prescriptive privileges for identified patient populations.
• Prescriptive authority for prescribing, ordering, and or administering drugs; including (but not limited to) schedule II, III, IV, and V drugs and necessary medical devices.
• Role model competence in all nurse practitioner/physician assistant advanced skills.
• Give daily handoff to the appropriate