NP / PA - Acute Pain

Employment Type: Full time

Shift: Day Shift

Description

The Acute Pain APP provides health care services under the direction of collaborating Anesthesiologists in the Department of Anesthesia. Collaborates with the Department Chair, Department Manager, and Director of Anesthesia to achieve the departmental goals and objectives.

Under the direction of the collaborating anesthesiologist, the NP/PA is responsible for coordinating the health care plan for the assigned patient population by collaborating with consulting physicians and health care professionals.

The NP/PA carries out physician orders and maintains the continuum of care through the coordination and integration of patients on acute pain service, guided by progress notes, consults, care plans, critical pathways, managed care guidelines, best practice protocols, evidenced based care, and the utilization review processes.

In partnership with the supervising physician the NP/PA evaluates care based on quality and core measures, access and cost effectiveness.

The NP/PA contributes to excellence in patient care by focusing on age specific, developmental and spiritual needs and serving as a role model in patient care, consulting, teaching, and leadership.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

Clinical care for surgical patients: Formulates and implements medical plans of care for acute pain management of all acute pain service patients with collaborating physicians. Assists with evaluation and triage of acute pain service patients.

Provides direct clinical services for acute pain service patients according to established protocols, using evidence-based practice and clinical practice standards, under the supervision of the collaborating physicians.

Assessment and discontinuation of epidural and regional anesthesia catheters Completion of daily hospital work rounds including charting of progress notes, order entry and modification as required under the direction of the supervising physician.

Dictation of discharge summaries, chart rounds, staffing conference summaries and consults as directed by service needs. Participation in the care of off-service patients as indicated by consulting (supervising) physician request.

Review appropriate diagnostic and laboratory data under the direction of the supervising physician and communicates results to physicians and other health care providers.

Assesses changes in patient status and institutes routine and emergency interventions to stabilize patients under the direction of the supervising physician. Documents plan of care and patient progress in medical records and narrative summaries.

Evaluates and documents patient outcomes and revises the plan under the direction of collaborating physicians in association with other specialty consultants. Helps facilitates discharge planning along with patients, families, other members of the health care team and referral agencies.

Collaborative Role with Other Disciplines

Acts as the daily central liaison to all health care team members regarding acute pain service concerns. Participates in patient care conferences and peer quality review with collaborating physician, consulting medical teams, and other health care disciplines

Education Focus

• Explains the purpose, preparation and potential effects of the to patient and families
• Provides pre-operative teaching and discharge planning to patients and families.
• Designs, instructs, and reviews information and programs pertinent to the acute pain service population.
• Participates on hospital, nursing and medical committees as designated.
• Serves as a hospital resource to staff, patients, and families.

Develops and implements a personal continuing education program to maintain current knowledge of acute pain service management and associated medical concerns.

Required Education, Experience and Certification/Licensure

Education

Master’s Degree in clinical nursing from an accredited Nurse Practitioner Program with emphasis on area of certification/licensure. Requires graduation from an ARC-PA accredited PA program.

• Experience: Surgical experience preferred
• Certification/Licensure: Current Registered Nurse and Nurse Practitioner license in the State of Michigan with Acute Care Certification or equivalent experience.
• OR

Current License/Certification as Physician Assistant with the State of Michigan. ACLS Certification.

Required Skills and Abilities

Interpersonal skills necessary to initiate and maintain collegial relationships with coworkers and therapeutic relationships with patients and families. Analytic skills necessary to perform principal duties and responsibilities of job description.

Ability to concentrate and pay close attention to detail for up to eighty percent of work time when planning and performing professional nursing care. Ability to walk and stand continuously for 50% of time, ability to sit for 50% of time.

Our Commitment

Rooted in our Mission and Core Values, we honor the dignity of every person and recognize the unique perspectives, experiences, and talents each colleague brings. By finding common ground and embracing our differences, we grow stronger together and deliver more compassionate, person-centered care.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law.