Nurse Practitioner (NP) or Physician Assistant (PA) - General Surgery

Advanced Practice Provider (APP) General Surgery

The Advanced Practice Provider (APP) General Surgery provides comprehensive inpatient and perioperative care to surgical patients in collaboration with the attending surgeons and interdisciplinary healthcare team. The APP participates in the evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, and management of patients undergoing surgical procedures, supporting the delivery of safe, high-quality, and efficient care across the perioperative continuum.

The APP functions as an integral member of the surgical team and participates in patient evaluation, perioperative optimization, postoperative management, clinical documentation, care coordination, and discharge planning. The APP practices within the scope of their professional licensure, national certification, institutional credentialing, and delineation of privileges, and in accordance with applicable state regulations, hospital policies, and collaborative or supervisory practice agreements.

Physician Assistants in this role may provide first assist services in the operating room when appropriately credentialed and privileged through the hospital's medical staff process. Nurse Practitioners in this role provide perioperative and inpatient surgical care consistent with their licensure, education, and delineated clinical privileges.

The following statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by personnel so classified.

1. Performs comprehensive assessments of surgical patients including obtaining medical histories, conducting physical examinations, and reviewing diagnostic studies.
2. Collaborates with supervising or collaborating surgeons to develop and implement patient-centered treatment plans.
3. Orders, interprets, and evaluates laboratory tests, imaging, and other diagnostic studies in accordance with clinical privileges and institutional protocols.
4. Provides inpatient management of surgical patients including preoperative evaluation, postoperative monitoring, and management of surgical conditions and complications.
5. Performs bedside procedures within scope of practice and approved privileges, which may include wound care, drain management, suture or staple removal, dressing changes, and other procedures as appropriate.
6. Participates in daily rounds with the surgical team and communicates patient status, care plans, and clinical updates to physicians, nursing staff, and interdisciplinary team members.
7. Coordinates care with nursing staff, case management, therapy services, and consulting specialties to ensure safe transitions of care and discharge planning.
8. Provides patient and family education related to surgical conditions, procedures, recovery expectations, and postoperative care.
9. Maintains timely, accurate, and compliant documentation in the electronic medical record consistent with hospital policy, regulatory requirements, and billing standards.
10. Participates in quality improvement initiatives, patient safety programs, and adherence to evidence-based surgical care pathways.
11. Responds to inpatient surgical consultations and assists with evaluation and management of patients requiring surgical assessment.
12. Physician Assistants may function as first assist in the operating room when credentialed and privileged to do so through the hospital's medical staff process. First assist responsibilities may include surgical exposure, retraction, hemostasis, tissue handling, suturing, wound closure, and other operative assistance duties as directed by the operating surgeon and consistent with granted privileges.
13. Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants may participate in perioperative activities consistent with their education, licensure, and approved privileges.
14. Adheres to all applicable regulatory standards, hospital policies, and medical staff bylaws governing advanced practice provider practice.

Graduate of an accredited Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant program required. Current and unrestricted licensure as a Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant in the state of practice required. Current national certification through an approved certifying body (ANCC, AANP, or NCCPA) required. Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required; Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) may be required based on departmental policy. Previous experience in general surgery, surgical specialty care, or inpatient surgical services preferred. For Physician Assistants, prior operative experience and/or first assist experience is strongly preferred.

Knowledge of surgical disease processes, perioperative care, and postoperative management. Ability to perform comprehensive clinical assessments and develop appropriate management plans for surgical patients. Strong clinical judgment and decision-making skills in a complex and fast-paced healthcare environment. Knowledge of sterile technique and operative support principles applicable to surgical assisting (for Physician Assistants functioning as first assist). Ability to collaborate effectively with surgeons, physicians, nurses, and interdisciplinary healthcare teams. Strong verbal and written communication skills to support effective patient care and clinical documentation. Ability to prioritize and manage multiple patient care responsibilities while maintaining a high standard of safety and quality. Proficiency in electronic medical record systems and adherence to regulatory and documentation requirements.