Physician Assistant or Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (with RNFA) - Breast Surgery, Full-time, Days

At Northwestern Medicine, every patient interaction makes a difference in cultivating a positive workplace. This patient-first approach is what sets us apart as a leader in the healthcare industry. As an integral part of our team, you'll have the opportunity to join our quest for better healthcare, no matter where you work within the Northwestern Medicine system. At Northwestern Medicine, we pride ourselves on providing competitive benefits: from tuition reimbursement and loan forgiveness to 401(k) matching and lifecycle benefits, we take care of our employees. Ready to join our quest for better?

Northwestern Medicine has an exciting opportunity for either a Physician Assistant or an Acute Care NP with RNFA to work in our Breast Surgery department. The APP will be working 20% OR as surgical assist and 80% outpatient clinic. The role entails providing comprehensive breast care for primarily women but some men. Support surgeons in clinic/OR and have independent clinics managing the care of patients with benign breast disease, women, and men at high risk of breast cancer, and follow-up of breast cancer patients. As previously mentioned, OR FA assists responsibilities and inpatient rounding.   

Key responsibilities include seeing patients in clinic with the surgeons and independent clinics and OR FA coverage. In the clinic, under the direction of a surgeon, the APP conducts comprehensive H&Ps, develops treatment plans, and completes documentation in a timely manner. In the OR, pre-op, post-op, and surgical first-assist duties under the direct supervision of the surgeon, with occasional in-patient rounding on mastectomy patients (rounding would be required for those attendings who only have a resident and not a fellow). There are usually only 1-4 patients in the hospital at a time. Part of the APP's role in the OR is ensuring continuity of care, expectations, and OR fluidity as the fellows, residents, and medical students rotate monthly. It also includes mentoring trainees in their surgical skills.

Schedule: M-F, days; potentially an occasional OR Saturday shift or rounding.

• no nights, no holidays, and no on-call

Essential Functions: 

• Demonstrates clinical expertise and expanded knowledge through patient care activities which may include diagnosis and management of a wide range of health problems.
• Responsible for health outcome of an assigned patient population.
• Confers with collaborating physician and other health professionals in area of clinical expertise.
• Develops appropriate educational systems for patients, families and staff in areas of expertise.
• Mentors graduate students in aspects of advanced practice and patient care.
• Actively participates in quality improvement and/or research pertinent to area of expertise. 

Responsibilities: 

• Conducts comprehensive appraisals of patients' health status by taking health histories and performing physical examinations in clinical area.
• Provides direct clinical care to patients.
• Prescribes/orders medications, therapies; orders/interprets laboratory tests, x-rays and procedures according to clinical privileges.
• Evaluates patients to determine their need for further health care.
• Provides comprehensive teaching to patients and families.
• Documents in the medical record all care and education provided and/or procedures performed for which the Licensed Advanced Practice Provider is responsible.
• Refers to other disciplines as appropriate.
• Consultant to other disciplines in areas of expertise.
• Integrates research based knowledge and clinical expertise in decision making.
• Exemplifies a professional image in appearance, manner and presentation.
• Advocate for patients, families, coworkers, and the community.
• Maintains certifications and continuing education as required for licensure and privileging.
• Serves as a patient advocate and role model for "Patients First".
• Participates in unit/departmental/divisional or hospital committees/task forces as appropriate.
• Provides comprehensive teaching strategies for patients and their families.
• Develops and participates in programs to meet continuing education needs of staff.
• Serves as a role model and preceptor to students.
• Provides formal education to both internal and external groups pertinent to area of specialty.
• Participates in quality improvement and/or research initiatives for specific patient population as appropriate. 

Required:

• Master’s degree from an accredited school/college of nursing OR master's degree from an accredited Physician Assistant Program  
• Acute care certification required for APRNs AND RNFA (must have at time of application)
• Current license as a Registered Nurse in the State of Illinois. Current license as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse in the State of Illinois. Certification as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse by a national certifying body as approved by the Illinois Department of Regulation APRN Board. Once licensed may apply for a controlled substance license and DEA number OR Master’s degree from an accredited Physician Assistant Program/Current license as a Physician Assistant in the State of Illinois.  Once licensed may apply for a controlled substance license and DEA number
• Privileged and credentialed through the Medical Staff Office (MSO)
• Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation – BLS, issued by the American Heart Association 

Preferred:

• 2 years of clinical experience in area of specialty.

Northwestern Medicine is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status.

If we offer you a job, we will perform a background check that includes a review of any criminal convictions. A conviction does not disqualify you from employment at Northwestern Medicine. We consider this on a case-by-case basis and follow all state and federal guidelines.

Benefits

We offer a wide range of benefits that provide employees with tools and resources to improve their physical, emotional, and financial well-being while providing protection for unexpected life events. Please visit our Benefits section to learn more.