Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant - Adult Epilepsy Monitoring Unit (EMU)

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About Duke University Hospital

Pursue your passion for caring with Duke University Hospital in Durham, North Carolina, which is consistently ranked among the best in the United States. The largest of Duke Health's four hospitals with 1062 patient beds, it features comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic facilities, including a regional emergency/trauma center, an endo-surgery center, and more.

Job Location: Duke University Hospital

Job Summary

The Adult Epilepsy Monitoring Unit (EMU) Advanced Practice Provider (APP) provides direct patient care services and performs medical acts as a Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant under the supervision of the supervisory physician to patients admitted to the Adult Epilepsy Monitoring Unit. The APP collects history, performs physical exams, documents data, orders and schedules laboratory studies and professional consultations, prescribes appropriate interventions and medications, and provides direct patient care services. The Adult EMU APP contributes to excellence in patient care, research, and teaching, and provides leadership within the organization.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide and coordinate clinical care for service-specific patients through established protocols and under the supervising physician or designated backup physician who is either on-site or available by pager.
• Collaborate with residents, fellows, attending physicians, other APP colleagues, nurses, and patient resource managers to formulate treatment plans and monitor patient progress.
• Perform procedures specific to the work environment after demonstrated competency and within the guidelines of scope of practice and credentialing protocols.
• Assess patients for changes in clinical status and institute appropriate interventions. Initiate emergency interventions to stabilize patients until physician support arrives.
• Develop patient care pathways, protocols, and guidelines for the management of specific conditions in conjunction with physicians and other members of the healthcare team.
• Analyze clinical practice patterns to provide the best medical care and increase effectiveness and efficiency.
• Communicate verbally and in writing all pertinent patient information to supervising physicians, nursing staff, patient resource managers, and other relevant healthcare providers.
• Document in the patient’s medical record all relevant data including, but not limited to, diagnostic results, laboratory findings, patient condition, response to interventions, and communication with the supervising physician.
• Utilize prescriptive privileges appropriately for the identified patient population.
• Prescriptive authority includes ordering, prescribing, and/or administering drugs (including schedule II–V) and necessary medical devices.
• Role model competence in all advanced clinical skills applicable to the APP role.
• Assess educational needs of patient-care staff and provide one-on-one and formal education as needed.
• Assess educational needs of patients and families and provide culturally sensitive education and support as indicated. Use non-technical language and document education in the medical record.
• Implement and evaluate appropriate educational programs for Duke University Health System (DUHS) patient care staff and other healthcare providers.
• Utilize current research and evidence-based decision-making in all clinical practice.
• Incorporate clinical research findings in the development and implementation of standards of care.
• Support IRB-approved clinical research/trials through activities such as obtaining consent, ordering diagnostic tests, recording results, administering therapeutic interventions, and reporting outcomes including adverse events.
• Participate in interdisciplinary quality improvement and/or research activities.
• Participate in measuring and documenting clinical outcomes.
• Provide expertise and resource information to other healthcare providers, patients, families, and the community related to epilepsy, neurological conditions, and associated procedures or interventions.
• Implement and evaluate educational programs for referring physicians.
• Develop, implement, and evaluate standards of care, practice guidelines, policies, and procedures within the area of specialization.
• Develop programs and projects in areas of expertise to support the goals and objectives of Duke University Hospital and the Duke University Health System.

Job Eligibility Requirements

Education

• PA: Graduate of an ARC-PA accredited Physician Assistant Program; Master’s or Doctoral degree preferred.
• NP: Graduate of an accredited Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP); Master’s or Doctoral degree preferred.

License

• PA: Current unrestricted medical license issued by the NC Medical Board with authorization to practice as a Physician Assistant.
• NP: Current unrestricted RN license issued by or recognized by the NC Board of Nursing with authorization to practice as a Nurse Practitioner.

Certification

• PA: PA-C (National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants).
• NP: AGACNP-BC (Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Certification).

Experience

• APP experience in neurology, epilepsy, or similar acute care setting preferred, but not required.

Physical and mental requirements:

• Able to clearly articulate scope of practice, and practices within those guidelines as a Nurse Practitioner / Physician Assistant in the state of North Carolina and within the Duke University Health System.
• Able to independently seek out resources and work collaboratively to solve complex problems.
• Able to communicate clearly with patients, families, visitors, healthcare teams, physicians, administrators, leadership, and others.
• Able to use sensory and cognitive functions to process and prioritize information, and perform health assessments, treatment, and follow-up.
• Able to use fine motor skills.
• Able to record activities, document assessments & interventions; prepare reports and presentations.
• Able to use a computer and learn new software programs.
• Able to provide leadership in clinical areas of expertise and in meeting organizational goals.
• Able to navigate the Hospital and DUHS to provide clinical expertise to specific patient populations
• Able to withstand prolonged standing and walking with the ability to move or lift at least fifty pounds
• Able to remain focused and organized
• Able to work collaboratively with all levels of personnel

Job Hours

• Primary hours will be Monday-Friday 8am - 4pm (weekday only), and other hours as needed to fulfill the responsibilities of the position.  Primary hours will be flexible to cover the needs of the service. No on-call or weekend requirements.