Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant - Gastroenterology & Hepatology

Job Description Summary

The successful applicant will be an Advanced Practice Provider interested in working full-time in the care of gastrointestinal patients. The APP will join a busy and thriving Gastroenterology & Hepatology Division that includes Gastroenterologists, Hepatologists, Gastroenterology Fellows, Hepatology and General Gastroenterology APPs. The Division's nationally recognized Digestive Disease Center brings together a multidisciplinary team of gastroenterologists, surgeons, hepatologists, and radiologists to provide the highest level of comprehensive care for patients with a wide variety of digestive diseases and disorders. Clinical services are coordinated within five sections: liver disease, pancreatic and biliary disease, gastrointestinal cancer, functional and inflammatory bowel disease, and nutrition. This position will have a focus on inflammatory disease patients.

Job Duties

Provides direct care to patients through the following activities:

• Takes comprehensive history and performs physical examinations
• Evaluates and treats on the basis of history, physical examination, radiological, laboratory, and other diagnostic test results pursuant to the practice agreement or scope of practice guideline
• Initiates referrals to other health care providers, and/or consults with the attending physician or the collaborating physician
• Documents and bills for direct care provided
• Utilizes current research and evidence-based decision-making in all clinical practice
• Performs and participates in quality/performance improvement activities and clinical research
• Participates in and supports accreditation, compliance, and regulatory activities of the organization
• Demonstrates responsibility for professional practice through active participation in professional organizations and continuing education
• Potential to precept students at MUSC enrolled as an advanced practice provider student; and facilitates the learning of other new team members
• APRN or PA must maintain licenses, certifications, CNEs/CMEs, etc. as required by applicable policies and state law
• Assess the health status of gastrointestinal patients through the performance of history, physical examination, diagnostic testing, and endoscopic procedures in the outpatient setting
• Assist in the development of short and long-term patient care goals and treatments, order and interpret appropriate and indicated diagnostic studies, and prescribe appropriate and indicated treatments and medications with authorized prescriptive privileges in accordance with established PA/APRN guidelines and/or in collaboration with supervising/collaborating physicians
• Complete required documentation legibly, thoroughly, and in a timely manner
• Assist with infusion/injection of biologic therapy to patients
• Assure coordination and continuity of inpatient and outpatient care
• Facilitate contact with attending physicians as appropriate
• Assure timely feedback to referring physicians
• Assist with follow-up care, including scheduling of follow-up visits and interfacing with community services to ensure the optimal transition of the patient and family into the community setting
• Make early post-procedure telephone contacts with discharged patients
• Triage patient/family phone calls with appropriate management of specific problems by pre-established protocol
• Report directly to the Division Director of Gastroenterology and Hepatology regarding patient and administrative matters
• Plan and manage care in collaboration with other health care providers (Physicians, nurses, staff, social services, community providers), including evaluation of patient's response to treatment and documentation of patient's progress in the outpatient setting to achieve optimal patient outcomes relative to cost and quality
• Provide clinical management of assigned patients under protocol and/or attending supervision/collaboration
• Plan and manage care in collaboration with the health care team
• Perform patient monitoring activities and selected procedures appropriate to licensure and competencies
• Maintain clinical database monitoring lab work for patients on immunomodulators and/or biologic therapies
• Report unusual findings to physicians
• Obtain and document orders from physicians regarding plans not covered by the protocol
• Document assessment plans, orders, procedures, and progress of patients
• Follow-up results of lab work and tests
• Assure appropriate education of patient/family, medical, and clinical staff
• Teach and counsel individuals, families, groups, and other health care providers about health and illness and promote health maintenance and disease prevention
• Facilitate and provide as appropriate pre- and post-operative and family education
• Communicate to the patient and family services provided; remain visible and available throughout the patient's episode of illness; engage in problem-solving for the issues and outcomes related to the patient's care

IBD Therapy Selection & Initiation

• Educate patients on risk/benefit profiles across biologic classes (anti-TNF, IL-12/23, IL-23p19, anti-integrin) and small molecules (JAK inhibitors, S1P receptor modulators)
• Ensure completion and documentation of latent TB testing (IGRA/PPD), viral hepatitis panels (HBV, HCV), and infectious disease clearances prior to immunosuppression

Access & Prior Authorizations

Partner with clinical pharmacists and medication navigators to submit peer-to-peer appeals, medical necessity letters, and patient assistance applications.