Advanced Practice Provider - Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant

PRN Advanced Practice Provider (Nurse Practitioner Or Physician Assistant)

Shriners Children's St. Louis is seeking a PRN Advanced Practice Provider (Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant) to provide weekend coverage for our inpatient pediatric orthopedic service. This position plays a vital role in ensuring continuity of care for hospitalized patients and offers an opportunity to work within a highly collaborative multidisciplinary team dedicated to caring for children with orthopedic and rehabilitation needs.

The APP will be responsible for the ongoing management of the inpatient unit during designated weekend coverage periods, including patient assessment, treatment plan implementation, care coordination, discharge planning, and family education. The inpatient population is generally low acuity, with an average daily census of approximately 3 to 5 patients, and consists primarily of pediatric orthopedic and rehabilitation patients, including children in HALO traction and those recovering from orthopedic procedures. The APP will work closely with pediatricians, orthopedic surgeons, nursing staff, therapists, and other members of the care team to support safe, effective, and family-centered care.

Coverage opportunities include Friday daytime, Friday overnight call, Saturday daytime, Saturday overnight call, Sunday daytime, and Sunday overnight call shifts. During Friday daytime coverage, the APP will be onsite managing inpatient needs and coordinating patient care. Friday night coverage is call-based. On Saturdays and Sundays, the provider will round on all assigned inpatients each morning, collaborate with the pediatrician and care team regarding treatment plans, address clinical concerns as they arise, and remain available by phone for patient care needs throughout the remainder of the shift. Coverage periods are structured as 12-hour shifts (7:00am to 7:00pm). While much of the weekend coverage is managed remotely after morning rounds, the APP must be able to respond to urgent patient care needs and report to the hospital within 30 minutes if an in-person evaluation or intervention is required.

Given the autonomous nature of weekend coverage, Shriners Children's St. Louis is seeking an experienced Advanced Practice Provider (Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant) who can practice independently while collaborating effectively with the broader care team. Candidates should have several years of advanced practice experience, preferably caring for pediatric patients in an inpatient setting, and be comfortable assessing patients, managing treatment plans, responding to urgent clinical issues, and coordinating care across disciplines.

To support successful onboarding and independent practice, newly hired APPs will complete a structured orientation program consisting of approximately 20 weekday shifts and 10 weekend day shifts alongside an experienced pediatrician. This onboarding period provides comprehensive exposure to the patient population, inpatient workflows, clinical protocols, and weekend coverage expectations specific to Shriners Children's St. Louis.

The position is compensated at a fixed PRN rate of $62.42 per hour.

This PRN opportunity offers scheduling flexibility while providing meaningful involvement in the care of children requiring specialized orthopedic and rehabilitation services in a mission-driven pediatric healthcare environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive and age-appropriate health assessments, histories, and physical exams.
• Formulate differential diagnoses and develop care plans in coordination with supervising physicians and the care team.
• Manage care for specialty populations including orthopedic, spinal, craniofacial, and neuromuscular patients.
• Provide pre-operative and post-operative evaluations and ongoing management in both inpatient and ambulatory surgical environments.
• Order and interpret diagnostic imaging, lab work, and other tests as permitted by licensure and protocol.
• Perform routine procedures and assist in specialty surgical cases within the scope of licensure.
• Prescribe medications and therapeutic interventions consistent with the scope of practice and Shriners Children's policies.
• Participate in multidisciplinary clinics and care conferences to support coordinated, integrated care.
• Educate patients, caregivers, and staff on disease processes, treatment plans, and home care strategies.
• Document clinical findings, treatment plans, and patient responses using the electronic health record (EHR).
• Support quality improvement, patient safety, and research initiatives as appropriate to the role.
• Provide mentorship or precepting to clinical staff or trainees as assigned.
• Maintain compliance with hospital, state, and federal regulations, including infection control and documentation standards.
• Perform additional duties within the scope of licensure as assigned to support patient care and organizational goals.
• Maintain all professional licensure, certifications, and mandatory training in compliance with state and organizational requirements.

Required Qualifications

If Physician Assistant

• Master of Physician Assistant Studies (or equivalent degree) from an accredited Physician Assistant program
• Current, unrestricted Physician Assistant license in the state of practice
• Certification by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA)

If Nurse Practitioner

• Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) from an accredited Nurse Practitioner program
• American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), or equivalent board certification in applicable specialty area, such as Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (CPNP-AC, CPNP-PC) or Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
• Current, unrestricted Registered Nurse (RN) and Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) license in the state of practice

Both

• Minimum 2 years advanced practice experience required, preferably in an inpatient setting caring for pediatric patients. Experience with pediatric orthopedic, spinal, or craniofacial, or other surgical patient populations preferred
• Must possess eligibility for active DEA
• Must possess Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers (BLS for HCP). Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification may be required based on clinical assignment
• Credentialing and privileging by the medical staff in accordance with hospital bylaws
• Strong pediatric assessment and clinical decision-making skills.
• Familiarity with pediatric specialty protocols and post-surgical care.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to engage effectively with patients, families, and care teams.
• Proficient in EHR systems and clinical documentation.
• Demonstrated commitment to patient safety, family-centered care, and trauma-informed practice.

Compensation is determined based on years of relevant experience and departmental equity.