JOB SUMMARY

The General Surgery Advanced Practice Provider (APP) would be responsible for providing care to General Surgery patients across all phases of their perioperative care, as well as collaborating with the wound care nurses to assess and treat acute and chronic wounds.

The APP would partner with the CH general surgeons in the preoperative evaluation and post-operative management of patients to maintain a high quality of care with close attention to outcomes. There will be opportunities to lead quality improvement projects, and enthusiasm for this is encouraged.

The APP would be tasked with leading the wound care team to formalize the service line, and to develop workflows and evidence-based protocols for patients with wounds. This would be done in collaboration with CH General Surgeons and wound care nurses, and with ample operational support. Clinical experience in a surgical field or wound care is a bonus. A successful candidate will be proactive in expanding his or her knowledge base to grow into a subject-matter expert.

Central Health's mandate is to serve as the safety net for those individuals within the county who need healthcare services. Mission alignment and empathetic approach are central to our goal of advancing health equity and inclusion. This position reports directly to the Advanced Practice Provider - Specialty Lead and clinically works closely with the CH General Surgeons.

This role is central to Central Health’s mission to advance health equity and improve outcomes for vulnerable populations.

Essential Functions

-Under the supervision of a physician, provides direct patient care within Central Health’s Specialty scope.
-Plans, promotes, demonstrates, recommends, and coordinates high standards of clinical practice.
-Examines patients, formulates diagnostic plans, and defines and orders required diagnostic testing.
-As clinically indicated, performs routine procedures within the APP scope of practice.
-Prescribes medicine, conducts early detection screenings, and coordinates referrals as needed.
-Communicates effectively with patients, physicians, staff, and administration. Ensures that communications with patients are culturally and linguistically appropriate.
-Directly improves patient well-being through accurate and timely diagnosis and delivery of relevant, high quality medical care.
-Works closely with the patient’s primary care provider and other licensed healthcare facility providers to provide care that is in the best interest of the patient and consistent with Central Health’s policies, mission, and goals.
-Performs specialty assessments of patients using observation, inspection, auscultation, palpation, and percussion.
-Orders or executes various tests, analyses, and diagnostic images to provide information on the patient’s condition.
-Diagnoses and treats diseases, disorders, and injuries in designated specialty areas based on patient’s medical history and physical assessment results and refers patients as clinically appropriate.
-Prescribes medications and therapies for treatment and preventive care.
-Plans and coordinates daily care with Central Health’s care team members to assure maximum quality and efficiency of care between eligible patients, physicians, advanced practice providers, case management team, and nursing.
-Performs clinical and administrative services under general guidance and minimal supervision with accountability for specific organizational-level goals.
-Performs other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED EDUCATION:

Graduation from an accredited School of Physician Assistants OR Master's degree from an accredited School of Nursing

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE:

-Experience with Epic training and support for Epic end user programs

-Experience caring for individuals experiencing homelessness

REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS/LICENSURE:

-Unrestricted license to practice as a Physician Assistant OR unrestricted license to practice nursing as an Advanced Nurse Practicioner in the state of Texas

-Basic Life Support (BLS) - obtained through approved American Heart Association or Red Cross