| TITLE: Vascular Surgery Nurse Practitioner / Physician Assistant LOCATION: Danville, PA JOB SUMMARY: Serves in an advanced practice nursing role providing comprehensive health assessments, physical examinations, and care by demonstrating a high level of autonomy and expert skill in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of vascular patients in both the outpatient setting. Serves collaboratively in assessing needs, planning and providing care and education, evaluating outcomes, and coordinating follow-up to vascular patients and their families. Reports to the Chief of Vascular Surgery and Chief Advanced Practitioner of Vascular surgery for clinical responsibilities as well as the Associate Vice President, Cardiovascular and Vascular Surgery Service Line for all non-patient administrative responsibilities. MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: CLINICIAN: Serves as an expert clinician providing direct care, including assessing, diagnosing, planning, and prescribing pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatment of health problems, health promotion, and preventative care within the scope of vascular disease. Provides comprehensive clinical coordination of care and case management for inpatient and outpatient vascular population. *1. Collects comprehensive health data. *2. Critically analyzes health data and formulates clinical decisions to manage acute and chronic illness and promote wellness. *3. Identifies outcomes derived from expert assessment and diagnosis. Individualizes care considering risk and cost/benefit. *4. Investigates and problem solves patient care issues with staff in order to enhance quality outcomes. *5. Evaluates the patient's progress in achieving expected outcomes, barriers to successful outcomes, and provides follow-up service. *6. Assists with care of inpatients. a. Participates in the postoperative care of patients, being especially knowledgeable in the recognition of postoperative complications and wound care. b. Informs the surgeon of all changes in the patient's condition. c. Collects data and writes pertinent clinical progress notes in the electronic medical record. d. Summarizes details of patient's hospitalization, including operative procedures and follow-up of complications. e. Performs therapeutic procedures, as directed by the surgeon, as indicated by training and experience. f. Assists physician with discharge preparation, as needed, including making sure all appropriate testing is ordered. g. Assures completion of all required outpatient forms. h. Facilitates that the appropriate return appointment and follow up studies are scheduled for post op returns. EDUCATOR: Employs complex teaching strategies and interventions to promote, maintain, and improve health and prevent illness or injury. Nurtures the professional development of other health care professionals regarding vascular education and management. *1. Designs individualized education plans for the patient and family (goals, curricular content, evaluation) that are appropriate to the patient's developmental and situational level, learning needs, and are congruent with the patient's/family's health care beliefs and culture. *2. Coordinates and performs orientation/education of team members involved with inpatient and outpatient care. *3. Participates in developing, implementing, and evaluating community programs for vascular disease. *4. Provides educational opportunities for undergraduate and graduate nursing students, medical students, and other allied health care professionals. *5. Conducts continuing education programs for health care professionals related to vascular education. CONSULTANT: Provides outpatient consultation to influence plan of care for patients, initiating referral to other providers as needed and affecting change in the system. May also be asked to assist with in-patient coordination of care responsibilities as deemed necessary by the attending surgeons and Chief Advanced Practitioner. *1. Provides input/information to nursing and other medical services regarding vascular patient care issues, diagnostic needs, clinical recommendations for care and management, and educational needs for the individual/family with vascular disease. *2. Offers specialized knowledge, skills, and vascular disease statement management to assist other health care team members with problem solving and effective vascular disease management. *3. Communicates with patients by phone and/or written letter regarding problems. *4. Responds to patient and physician phone calls and electronic messages. *5. Communicates to referring physicians in a timely manner concerning patients they referred to be evaluated. 6. Collaborates with other health care professionals and health care agencies in the community regarding vascular education and management. RESEARCHER: Utilizes research to investigate, examine, and evaluate knowledge, theory, and innovative approaches to health care practice. *1. Critically evaluates research done in specialty area and appropriately applies to practice. *2. Analyzes, evaluates, and disseminates pertinent research findings related to vascular care and education to nursing and medical staff. *3. Collaborates with nursing, medical staff, and/or clinical agencies in conducting research related to vascular surgery practice. STANDARDS OF CARE - PROFESSIONAL PERFORMANCE LEADERSHIP: Serves as a leader and role model for professional development of peers, colleagues, and other health care professionals. *1. Facilitates an interdisciplinary process with other health team members in the care of vascular patients. 2. Participates in the development of standards of care and practice guidelines for vascular disease state management. *3. Integrates ethical principles into advanced practice. 4. Develops criteria for and evaluates the quality of care and effectiveness of advanced nursing practice in specialty area. *5. Manages departmental expenses within budget allocations. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: Remains self-directed, highly autonomous, and purposeful in seeking necessary knowledge and skills to develop and maintain competency and enhance career goals. 1. Evaluates own performance and practice based upon standards of practice, patient outcomes, and feedback from peers, colleagues, and patients. 2. Acquires and maintains current knowledge and skills in area of specialty practice, seeking advanced certification where available. 3. Contributes to the profession of nursing and specialty practice. Actively participates in professional organizations to improve and influence vascular disease management. 4. Performs other duties as required or assigned by emergency or other operational reasons which the employee is qualified to perform. *Denotes essential job functions. COMPETENCIES AND SKILLS: Demonstrates ability to work in a team environment. Demonstrates ability to deal directly with patients in such a way as to instill confidence and facilitate communication. Demonstrates ability to work and communicate effectively with diverse medical personnel including physicians, technicians, and nurses. Demonstrates strong interpersonal skills. Demonstrates computer literacy. Demonstrates ability to maintain confidentiality. EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE: The successful Physician Assistant candidate will work under the responsibility and supervision of the physician and require completion of an ARC-PA (or predecessor organization) approved physician assistant program, current NCCPA certification or eligibility and Pennsylvania State licensure. The successful Nurse Practitioner candidate will work in collaboration with the physician and have a certificate of completion from an approved program for Nurse Practitioners or be eligible to hold national certification that allows the NP to work with the patient populations and location settings associated with this position. Must be eligible for licensure as a nurse practitioner in the state of PA. Minimum one to two years in the care, management, and teaching of individuals with vascular disease and their families preferred. WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The specific statements shown in each section of this description are not intended to be all-inclusive. They represent typical elements considered necessary to successfully perform the job. For more information, please contact: Karen Rubbe, Talent Management, Geisinger Health System at: klrubbe@geisinger.edu or 814-572-5010.
**We are an Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity Employer. Women and Minorities are Encouraged to Apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability or their protected veteran status. *Domestic partner benefits not applicable at Geisinger Holy Spirit. SJMM | 
