Nurse Practitioner / Physician Assistant

About the Role

We're seeking an experienced Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) or Physician Assistant (PA) to join our clinical team at our Venice, Florida location.

The Advanced Practice Provider (APP) will provide direct patient care, evaluating, diagnosing, and managing patients with rheumatologic conditions in accordance with Florida law, applicable supervision or collaborative practice requirements, and established clinical protocols.

Prior clinical experience in rheumatology is required. The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong clinical judgment, excellent patient care skills, and the ability to work collaboratively with physicians and other members of the healthcare team.

This position plays a critical role in supporting physician workflow, improving patient access to care, and maintaining continuity of treatment.

What You'll Do

Evaluate, diagnose, and manage patients with rheumatologic conditions in accordance with established clinical protocols and applicable practice requirements.

Conduct new patient consultations, follow-up visits, transitions of care (TOCs), and medication management appointments.

• Develop and implement individualized treatment plans in collaboration with physicians.
• Prescribe medications, biologics, and infusion therapies in accordance with Florida law, applicable prescriptive authority, and DEA regulations.
• Order, review, and interpret laboratory tests, imaging studies, and diagnostic reports.
• Identify patients appropriate for infusion or biologic therapy and coordinate care with the Infusion and Prior Authorization teams.
• Monitor patient responses to treatment plans and adjust therapies as clinically indicated.

Document all patient encounters thoroughly and accurately in the electronic medical record (NextGen) in real time.

Maintain timely completion of charts and encounter documentation in alignment with Sarasota Arthritis Center expectations.

Provide clinical oversight of the Infusion Suite, responding to patient reactions, adverse events, and clinical incidents as appropriate.

Communicate clearly and professionally with patients, providers, and staff regarding care plans and follow-up needs.

Collaborate with the Prior Authorization department to ensure appropriate clinical documentation is obtained for medication and treatment authorizations.

• Participate in quality improvement initiatives and provider meetings as assigned.
• Maintain compliance with HIPAA, OSHA, and all Sarasota Arthritis Center policies and procedures.
• Maintain active professional licensure, applicable board certification, and required continuing education.

Other Duties: Other duties as assigned. This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee. Duties and responsibilities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time, with or without notice.

Qualifications

Current, active Florida licensure as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) or Physician Assistant (PA) required.

• National board certification appropriate to professional designation:
• APRN: Certification through AANP or ANCC, as applicable.
• PA: Certification through the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA).
• Prior clinical experience in rheumatology is required.
• Minimum of 1–2 years of clinical experience as an APRN or PA preferred.
• Active DEA registration, as applicable to prescribing responsibilities.
• Strong knowledge of rheumatologic conditions, treatment protocols, biologic therapies, and chronic disease management.
• Strong diagnostic and clinical decision-making skills.
• Proficiency in electronic medical record systems (NextGen or similar preferred).
• Excellent communication, clinical judgment, and patient care skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively and maintain professionalism in a fast-paced specialty practice environment.
• Ability to work on-site at our Venice, Florida location.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Sarasota Arthritis Centers provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.