Advanced Practice Provider (APN or PA), Breast Surgery

Job Summary

The Advanced Practice Provider (APN or PA) supports clinical care and patient services that may include educational, research, clinical support, and administrative activities under the direction and supervision of the General Surgery and Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery teams.

Responsibilities

• Supports surgical clinics and Breast Center at multiple locations, Hyde Park (Chicago, IL), and other sites as needed.
• Prepares Breast Conference write-ups on a weekly basis.
• Assists with counseling for basic genetic testing and working with Breast Center nurse to perform/order genetic testing.
• Assists in all plastic surgery procedures, including, but not limited to, mastectomies, breast reconstruction, tissue expanders, breast augmentations, abdominoplasties, and general plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgery.
• Performs General Surgery procedures in clinic (i.e. cyst/seroma aspirations, abscess drainages, etc.).
• Prepares charts for clinic (i.e. obtaining IOE, outside records, pre-charting).
• Assists physicians and provides independent clinical care.
• Assists in team effort to prepare for and expedite the start of surgery in the OR.
• Opportunities for OR first assist; assists with perioperative care.
• Provides appropriate preoperative and postoperative instructions and facilitates discharge planning.
• Maintains established departmental policies and procedures, objectives, quality assurance program, safety, environmental and infection control standards.
• Assists in the in- and out- patient setting in assessing patient health status and needs.
• Assists in the in- and out- patient setting in performing specified diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.
• Assists the in- and out- patient teams in the development and implementation of comprehensive plans of care.
• Follows through in the outpatient setting via communication with appropriate health care providers to assure that proper care and follow-up is provided.
• Functions as a professional role model for staff while providing expert care in the in- and out- patient setting.
• Promotes, has knowledge of and utilizes appropriate patient care protocol relating to the physical and psychological needs of adult and geriatric patients in both in- and out- patient setting.
• Collaborates with care team members and multi-disciplinary team members to provide direct in- and out- patient care.
• Participates in self and peer evaluation to improve quality of care.
• Participates in the development, review, and evaluation of Surgical 1st Assist procedures.
• Keeps knowledge base current by reading professional literature and attending educational conferences.
• May provide cross-coverage to other General and Plastic Surgery services.
• Designs patient education programs that include information required to make informed health care and treatment decisions.
• Evaluates goals and outcomes taking into account the benefit-versus-burden, safety, quality, and cost-effectiveness for the patient, family and the organization.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Minimum requirements include a college or university degree from an accredited school/college.

Work Experience: Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through a combination of education and a minimum of 2 years of relevant work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications: Current and/or eligible for State of Illinois licensure/registration required. Eligibility to be privileged and credentialed through the Medical Staff Office (MSO). - State of Illinois

Preferred Qualifications

Education: An advanced degree (or equivalent, if license received prior to July 1, 2001) from an accredited school/college of nursing or completion of an accredited Physician Assistant educational program accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARC-PA).

Experience: Clinical experience in a related area of specialty.

Licenses and Certifications for Advanced Practice Nurse: Current Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) license in the State of Illinois or eligibility to receive by start date. Current Registered Nurse (RN) license in the State of Illinois or eligibility to receive by start date.

Licenses and Certifications for Physician Assistant: Current Physician Assistant license/registration in the State of Illinois or eligibility to receive by start date. Certification from the National Commission for the Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) by start date.

Preferred Competencies

• Ability to provide direct patient care in a professional and respectful manner.
• Ability to provide direct patient care independently under the direction of the supervising physician.
• Excellent verbal and written communication.
• Ability to perform detailed work.
• Ability to perform multiple concurrent tasks with occasional interruptions.
• Ability to exercise discretion and confidentiality while handling sensitive situations.
• Ability to solve problems by applying math or reasoning principles.
• Ability to train or lead others.