Rheumatology - Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant

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The Advanced Practice Provider (APP) in Rheumatology at Summit Rheumatology plays a vital role in the clinical team by providing comprehensive care to patients with rheumatologic conditions. This role requires a combination of clinical expertise in rheumatology, patient-centered care, and the ability to collaborate effectively with the multidisciplinary team. The APP is responsible for assessing, diagnosing, managing, and educating patients with a variety of musculoskeletal and autoimmune diseases, ensuring high-quality care throughout their treatment journey.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty listed below satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work Environment

This role operates in an outpatient clinic environment. This role routinely uses standard office and medical equipment such as computers, printers, fax machines, phones, copiers, infusion pumps, IVs, etc..

Potential Occupational Safety/Health Hazards

• Office hazards
• Clinical hazards
• Bloodborne Pathogens
• Warehouse hazards
• Biomedical hazards
• Personal safety hazards

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time position with typical working hours of Monday through Thursday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Patient Assessments and Diagnosis:
• Perform comprehensive evaluations, including history-taking, physical exams, and diagnostic testing, for patients presenting with rheumatologic concerns
• Diagnose and manage a variety of conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, osteoarthritis, psoriatic arthritis, gout, and spondyloarthropathies
• Review and interpret lab results, imaging studies, and other diagnostic tests to inform patient care plans
• Treatment and Care Planning:
• Develop, implement, and manage individualized treatment plans in collaboration with the attending rheumatologists and other members of the healthcare team
• Prescribe medications, including disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), biologics, and corticosteroids, in accordance with evidence-based guidelines
• Monitor the effectiveness of treatments and adjust plans as necessary based on patient response and side effects
• Perform procedures such as joint injections, aspirations, and musculoskeletal ultrasound as appropriate, following established guidelines and protocols
• Assist in coordinating advanced imaging or referrals for specialized procedures when needed
• Patient Education:
• Provide clear, comprehensive education to patients regarding their diagnosis, treatment options, lifestyle changes, and self-management strategies
• Empower patients by offering guidance on disease progression, managing symptoms, and making informed choices about treatment options
• Chronic Disease Management:
• Monitor and manage long-term follow-up for patients with chronic rheumatologic conditions, ensuring appropriate screening and preventative care
• Address flare-ups and complications promptly, adjusting management plans as needed
• Collaboration and Teamwork:
• Work closely with rheumatologists, nurses, medical assistants, physical therapists, and other healthcare providers to coordinate patient care
• Participate in regular team meetings and case reviews to discuss complex cases and provide input on patient management strategies
• Care Coordination:
• Act as a liaison between patients and other specialists, ensuring comprehensive care for conditions that may require multidisciplinary input (e.g., cardiology, dermatology)
• Coordinate care transitions for patients requiring hospitalizations or urgent care interventions
• Electronic Health Record (EHR) Management:
• Document all patient encounters thoroughly and accurately in the clinic’s EHR system, ensuring compliance with legal, clinical, and organizational standards
• Review and update treatment plans, medication lists, and clinical notes in a timely manner to ensure continuity of care
• Compliance and Quality Assurance:
• Adhere to all clinical guidelines, protocols, and regulations established by Summit Rheumatology and relevant healthcare authorities
• Participate in quality improvement initiatives, including patient satisfaction surveys, clinical audits, and evidence-based practice reviews
• Professional Development and Education:
• Stay up-to-date with the latest advances in rheumatology, including emerging therapies, diagnostic techniques, and treatment guidelines
• Attend professional conferences, continuing medical education (CME) activities, and workshops as part of ongoing professional development
• Mentorship and Peer Support:
• Serve as a resource for less experienced APPs or clinical staff, offering guidance and support on complex cases and best practices
• Contribute to team knowledge by sharing insights from personal learning or continuing education experiences

Competency Statements:

• Communication and Interpersonal Skills: Strong communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to explain complex medical concepts to patients and their families. Ability to foster positive working relationships with team members, patients, and other healthcare professionals
• Electronic Health Record (EHR) Proficiency: Accurately documents all patient encounters, treatment plans, and follow-up recommendations in compliance with clinical and organizational standards
• Mentorship & Team Development: Supports and educates less experienced Advanced Practice Providers (APPs) and clinical staff, fostering a collaborative learning environment
• Patient-Centered Communication: Provides clear, empathetic education to patients and caregivers regarding diagnoses, treatment options, and self-management strategies
• Technical Skills: Proficiency in using electronic health record (EHR) systems, with an emphasis on maintaining accurate and up-to-date patient documentation. Comfort utilizing advanced diagnostic tools (e.g., lab testing, imaging) and interpreting results
• Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving: Strong clinical judgment with the ability to manage complex, multi-system conditions and respond to evolving patient needs. Capable of working autonomously, managing a diverse patient caseload, and escalating issues to the medical director when appropriate

You’ll be rewarded and recognized for your performance in an environment that will challenge you and give you clear direction on what it takes to succeed in your role as well as provide development for other roles you may be interested in.

Required Qualifications:

• Master's or Doctoral degree from an accredited Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant program
• Current, unrestricted licensure as a Nurse Practitioner (NP) or Physician Assistant (PA) in the worked in state
• Board certification by a recognized national body (e.g., ANCC, NCCPA)
• Experience in performing joint injections and aspirations, as well as knowledge of musculoskeletal ultrasound
• Advanced knowledge of common rheumatologic diseases, including their pathophysiology, clinical presentation, and treatment options
• Proven ability to manage complex patients with chronic autoimmune diseases and musculoskeletal conditions
• Proven ability to accomplish any and all duties with little to no assistance
• Post-graduate or previous RN experience in Rheumatology

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Compensation for this specialty generally ranges from $109,500 to $164,000. Total cash compensation includes base pay and bonus and is based on several factors including but not limited to local labor markets, education, work experience and may increase over time based on productivity and performance in the role. We comply with all minimum wage laws as applicable. In addition to your salary, we offer benefits such as, a comprehensive benefits package, incentive and recognition programs, equity stock purchase and 401k contribution (all benefits are subject to eligibility requirements). No matter where or when you begin a career with us, you’ll find a far-reaching choice of benefits and incentives.

At UnitedHealth Group, our mission is to help people live healthier lives and make the health system work better for everyone. We believe everyone–of every race, gender, sexuality, age, location and income–deserves the opportunity to live their healthiest life. Today, however, there are still far too many barriers to good health which are disproportionately experienced by people of color, historically marginalized groups and those with lower incomes. We are committed to mitigating our impact on the environment and enabling and delivering equitable care that addresses health disparities and improves health outcomes — an enterprise priority reflected in our mission.

UnitedHealth Group is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer under applicable law and qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, religion, age, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by local, state, or federal laws, rules, or regulations.

UnitedHealth Group is a drug - free workplace. Candidates are required to pass a drug test before beginning employment.