The Neurosurgery Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant provides advanced nursing care and physician support during the treatment of patients. The Nurse Practitioner provides leadership and support to the overall area of specialty. The Nurse Practitioner/Physician Assistant documents patient teaching, refers and communicates patient abnormalities to appropriate physicians, performs clinical procedures, serves as a resource for nursing and ancillary staff regarding patient and disease management, and facilitates practices in compliance with JCAHO requirements. The position's practice is characterized by comprehensive health assessments and management of acute complex patients' health problems for admitted patients, outpatients and ED admissions.

Shift expectation weekend rotation as needed with the current APP team, (4) 10 hour shifts.

1. Obtains a thorough patient history that includes: Determination of the chief complaint, analysis of primary symptomatology. Review of the course since onset of above: incidence, progress and effect of therapy(s). Completes medical and social history. Performs an appropriate physical examination and recognizes normal and abnormal findings. Records findings of the physical exam in a clear and concise manner. Makes recommendations based on the data gathered in the history and physical examination for ordering ancillary studies, developing a problem list, formulating a differential or actual diagnosis, counseling, educating and instructing patients in specific disease-related and preventative medicine areas. Orders, interprets, and evaluates diagnostic and laboratory tests to identify and assess patient's clinical problems and health care needs for continuity of care.

2. Determines and implements therapeutic plans. Writes orders to implement therapeutic plans. Communicates with supervising physicians regarding pertinent patient information including but not limited to actual or potential clinical problems, diagnostic tests/labs, consultants' recommendations, and updates or adjustments to the treatment plan via the multidisciplinary rehabilitation team. Collaborates with physicians, nurses, and other members of the health care team in patient care planning.

3. Utilizes assessment skills and collaborates with other disciplines to develop a comprehensive education plan to meet patient/family needs. Incorporates nursing diagnosis, interventions, expected outcomes, and discharge planning. Communicates plans of care with the patient and family as appropriate. Identifies the patient's educational needs based on the assessment of the patient.

4. Functions independently and in collaboration with physician rounding in the Sub Acute facilities, working with nursing, ancillary staff and Home Care Organizations to decrease length of stay while maintaining high quality care. Provides general medical care and treatment to patients in medical facilities, and in the home.

5. Mentors nursing staff to provide high quality care.

6. Other duties and/or projects as assigned.

7. Adheres to HMH Organizational competencies and standards of behavior.

Education, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:

1. Graduate of an accredited school of nursing.
2. MSN with Advanced Practice Nurse credentials.
3. Minimum of 5 years RN/Specialty experience.
4. Demonstrates effective communication and leadership skills including teaching principles, organizational and presentation skills
5. Strong computer skills, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Education, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Preferred:

1. Minimum of 2 years experience in the Nurse Practitioner role preferred.

Licenses and Certifications Required:

1. Advance Practice Nurse License.
2. AHA Basic Health Care Life Support HCP Certification

Licenses and Certifications Preferred:

1.  Advanced Cardiac Life Support Certification.

Knowledge, Education and Skills Required:

1. Graduate of a U.S. school accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on the Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA)
2. Masters preferred

Knowledge, Education and Skills Preferred: 

1. At least two years of practice as a Neurosurgery Physician Assistant
2. Neuroscience experience preferred
3. EPIC experience preferred

Required Certification/Licensing: 

1. NJ Physician Assistant License - P.A.
2. NJ Controlled Dangerous Substances Physician Certification - C.D.S.
3. Drug Enforcement Agency Certificate - DEA

Preferred Certification/Licensing:   

1. Basic and Advanced Life Support