PA or ACNP, UPP Neurosurgery - UPMC Mercy

University of Pittsburgh Physicians is hiring a full-time Physician Assistant or Acute Care Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner to support the Neurosurgery department at UPMC Mercy.

Hours: The schedule consists of four 10-hour shifts covering 7 days a week.
Location: UPMC Mercy
Position Specifics: As a key member of our close-knit team of inpatient APPs, you will work closely with residents and attending neurosurgeons to provide high-quality care to neurosurgical patients across all levels of care within the hospital. You will also be responsible for managing neurosurgical consults in a busy and diverse clinical environment. This role is ideal for someone who thrives in a fast-paced setting and is passionate about providing care to complex and critically ill patients in a trauma center. 
Department Details: At the UPMC Department of Neurosurgery we are committed to finding the best treatment approach for each patient, maximizing the benefits of surgery while minimizing the risks. When evaluating our patients, we look at their conditions from every direction — to find the path that is least disruptive to the patient’s brain, spine, critical nerves, and blood vessels — with the goal of returning to normal functioning. It’s a truly comprehensive, customized approach to care.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage and care for neurosurgical patients in all stages of their hospital stay, including pre-operative, post-operative, intensive care and, rehab units.
• Conduct neurosurgical consults in collaboration with the neurosurgical team.
• Work closely with residents, attending physicians, and other members of the healthcare team to ensure continuity and coordination of patient care.
• Participate in rounds, document care plans, and assist in the development of individualized treatment plans for patients.
• Maintain a focus on providing excellent patient-centered care in a high-acuity environment.

See what being an Advanced Practice Provider can do for UPMC and what UPMC can do for Advanced Practice Providers – it’s more than just a job!

What Can You Bring to UPMC?

• Contribute to UPMC’s mission of Life Changing Medicine
• Set the standards for the level and quality of care for the care delivery team
• Provide patient care activities for a group of patients and their families through the application of independent judgment, communication, and collaboration with all team members.
• Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with physicians, other health care providers, patients, and their families, to achieve desired patient outcomes throughout the continuum of care.
• Demonstrate a commitment to the community and to your health care profession

What Can UPMC Do for You?

• A career path that provides you with the right experience to be successful in the position you want to obtain now and, in the future
• Health and welfare benefits like medical, vision, dental, and life and disability, and an exceptional retirement program
• Work life balance to help manage other important aspects of your life such as: PTO, wellness programs, paid parental leave
• Competitive pay for the work that you do – base pay, merit, and premium pay

Staff Level:
The Staff Advanced Practice Provider (APP) is a Physician Assistant or Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner and a member of the care delivery team. The APP is responsible to set the standards for the level and quality of care. The APP has responsibility, authority, and accountability for the provision of care through supervision by and collaboration with a physician. The APP manages and provides patient care activities for a group of patients and their families through the application of independent judgment, communication, and collaboration with all team members. The role of the APP encompasses the beginnings of leadership, partnership, collaboration, and supervision. The APP establishes and maintains collaborative relationships with physicians, other health care providers, patients, and their families, to achieve desired patient outcomes throughout the continuum of care. The APP begins to demonstrate a commitment to the community and to their healthcare profession.

The successful candidate will be placed according to years and months of experience for employment purposes.

Responsibilities:

• Applies basic professional practice knowledge and skills appropriate for practice setting. Communicates effectively, both verbally and in documentation. Demonstrates critical thinking in all areas of professional practice. Learns to incorporate acceptable standards of professional practice as well as business unit and health system’s goals to improve patient safety, quality, and satisfaction. Formulates a plan of care that considers individual patient needs. Demonstrates initiative and seeks formal and informal opportunities to improve clinical practice. Seeks guidance and asks questions to continuously improve professional practice. Builds relationships with patients, families, and colleagues. Identifies ethical situations within patient care or within the workplace and seeks assistance. Professionally accepts assignments that gradually increase patient load and complexity.
• Actively engages in clinical development of all members of the healthcare team. Requests opportunities to learn advanced professional practice techniques from senior healthcare team members. Seeks, accepts, and utilizes performance feedback from peers, preceptors, and unit/department Leaders as a learning opportunity and to improve practice. Demonstrates enthusiasm for continuous learning and identifies and creates a plan for the continuation of learning and development. Identifies patient and family needs for education and provides basic education to support the episode of care. Seeks professional development and involvement through membership in a professional organization and/or reading professional literature on a regular basis.
• Demonstrates a basic knowledge of research, how it affects practice and who/what resources are available to assist with evidence-based practice by asking questions, demonstrating interest, participating in journal clubs. Clinical practice demonstrates knowledge of how quality and innovation impacts patient satisfaction, safety, and clinical quality outcomes. Identifies opportunities for improvement in the clinical area.
• Demonstrates the ability to communicate clearly and effectively with all members of the health care team. Begins to demonstrate awareness of cultural diversity, horizontal violence, and impairment in the health professions. Cares for patients and self by supporting safety in the workplace.
• Demonstrates accountability for professional development that improves the quality of professional practice and the quality of patient care. Makes recommendations for the improvement of clinical care and the health of the workplace and welcomes and participates in change initiatives. Leads by investing and building healthy relationships among colleagues and other disciplines. Shows the ability to set priorities. Begins to serve as an engaged member of a team supporting colleagues in service to patients and families and may participate in task forces or other initiatives.