POSITION DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE &CODE:	ADVANCED PRACTICE PROFESSIONAL – Surgery, Colorectal Job Code:  NP 85001 or PA 85101
DEPARTMENT:	Surgery, Section of Colorectal Surgery
REPORTS TO:	Administrator, Faculty Supervisor, Colorectal Section of Surgery, OAPP
FLSA STATUS:	Exempt

POSITION SUMMARY:   The Advanced Practice Professional (APP) has coordination and clinical skills required for the comprehensive management of colorectal surgery patients, (including biological, social, and psychological assessments).  The APP coordinates involvement of medical/surgical specialty teams necessary to develop a comprehensive plan for the patient and reviews the plan of care with the other members of the clinical team, participates in directing that care, performs diagnostic/therapeutic procedures, peri-operative services, and coordinates discharge planning (as applicable).  The APP participates in the education of residents and medical/nursing students.

Provide healthcare services consistent with state law and the requirements of the professional licensing or certification authority and/or hospital privileges, where applicable.  Such service may include but are not limited to. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS FOR NURSE PRACTITIONER:
EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION, AND/OR LICENSURE:
1.	Graduate of a CCNE accredited nursing program with master’s degree in Nursing.
2.	National Certification by one of the recognized APRN Certification Centers.
3.	Licensure; or eligibility for licensure, as a professional Registered Nurse and Advanced Practice Registered Nurse in West Virginia.
4.	American Heart Association BLS Certification required with additional Advanced Life Support training at the discretion of the department.
5.	Department Specific: APRNs requesting to be privileged as First Assists are required to complete RNFA certification.
EXPERIENCE:
1.	Acute care, surgical or colorectal surgery experience preferred.
2.	Eligible and talented new graduates will be considered.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION, AND/OR LICENSURE:
1.	RNFA certification.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS FOR PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT:
EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION, AND/OR LICENSURE:
1.	Bachelor’s Degree or master’s degree as a Medical/Surgical (as applicable) Physician Assistant required.
2.	Graduate of an ARC-PA approved Physician Assistant (PA) training program required.
3.	Certification by the National Commission for Certification of Physician Assistants required.
4.	Must be licensed or eligible for licensure by the WV Board of Medicine.
5.	American Heart Association BLS Certification required with additional Advanced Life Support training at the discretion of the department.
EXPERIENCE:
1.	Acute care, surgical or colorectal surgery experience preferred.
2.	Eligible and talented new graduates will be considered.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION, AND/OR LICENSURE:
1.	Masters level education as Medical/Surgical (as applicable) Physician Assistant preferred.

CORE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The statements described here are intended to describe the general nature of work being performed by people assigned to this position.  They are not intended to be constructed as an all-inclusive list of all responsibilities and duties.  Other duties may be assigned.
1.	Manages comprehensive and individualized care for colorectal surgery patients and their families in the Emergency Room, inpatient phase of hospitalization (as applicable), peri-operative arena (including but not limited to first assisting in the operative suite), colorectal surgery consultations, and during inpatient hospitalization.
2.	Completes daily rounds consults and/or pre-procedure/surgical evaluations.
3.	Completes integrated assessments.
4.	With the collaboration of colorectal surgery faculty or by following established clinical Guidelines and Protocols, orders additional tests or consults as deemed appropriate.
5.	Performs and communicates results of diagnostic tests following established clinical guidelines and scope of practice.
6.	Consults and communicates with clinic and hospital staff regarding abnormal findings in the evaluations of patients.
7.	Performs succinct comprehensive clinical examinations and documents findings in medical record.
8.	Facilitates patient discharge by coordinating appropriate services and tests prior to discharge necessary for outpatient follow-up appointments in the clinic (as applicable).
9.	Develops a comprehensive individualized plan of care for patients, which includes teaching, discharge planning and necessary referrals to other members of the health care team as necessary.
10.	Demonstrates expertise in caring for patients across the age continuum of their educational experience and certification.
11.	Identifies unstable or complex patient care situations and facilitates appropriate intervention in the ambulatory and/or hospital setting.
12.	Recognizes emergency situations and initiates effective emergency care.
13.	Follows colorectal surgery patients in the inpatient setting.  Acts as a coordinator for discharge disposition, procedures, tests, and post hospital follow-up in the ambulatory setting (as applicable).
14.	Assists in the collection of outcome measures of colorectal surgery patients (as applicable).
15.	Demonstrates critical thinking and diagnostic reasoning skills in clinical decision making by the identification, evaluation, and management of the individual needs of colorectal surgery patients/families.
16.	Demonstrates the ability to utilize equipment in a safe and appropriate manner.
17.	Bases decisions made/actions taken on relevant scientific principles, established standards of care and/or research findings.
18.	Utilizes teaching/learning theory and appropriate teaching strategies in the provision of education to nursing staff, hospital staff, students, patients, families, and the community.
19.	Promotes an environment that facilitates learning by responding to appropriate patient/family preferences, priorities, and readiness to learn.
20.	Updates own knowledge base throughout the year.
21.	Completes all identified clinical competencies.
22.	Serves as a resource person for staff caring for the colorectal surgery patient.
23.	Provides educational programs to professional and paraprofessional personnel in area of expertise.
24.	Participates in community programs, distribution of literature, as appropriate in area of expertise.
25.	Documents the plan of care, interventions, and evaluations in a clear and concise manner for every visit in the patient’s medical record following approved hospital/UHA policies and compliance standards.
26.	Documents all interventions in the patient’s medical record following approved hospital/UHA policies and compliance standards for documentation.
27.	Provides leadership in the development and implementation of changes in the colorectal surgery practice that positively impact patient outcomes.
28.	Works collaboratively with medical and nursing staff to facilitate creative problem solving and provide professional support.
29.	Participates and initiates inter-disciplinary approaches to patient care, program development and education. Serves as a professional role model.
30.	Promotes and practices innovation of the expanded role in the delivery of care to patients and families throughout the inpatient hospitalization, and the ambulatory setting.
31.	Participates and provides leadership for committees and task forces.
32.	Documents hours and submits billing reports, as appropriate.
33.	Applies information from Performance Improvement activities, changing practice as necessary, to improve care provided to patients.
34.	Reviews and interprets colorectal surgery data from sources such as patient registries, clinical and financial reports, length of stay, access to care, and cost per case reports and recommends/implements changes as necessary.
35.	Participates in clinical trials and research studies with the Principal Investigator.
36.	Assists colorectal surgery Faculty, Administrators, and Directors in the collection of outcome measures.
37.	Other duties/projects as assigned.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
1.	Heavy/Hard Work:  Work requires strength and/or stamina, lifting, moving, stooping, reaching, positioning of patients, standing, walking, and carrying of patients, materials and equipment weighing 40+ pounds.
WORKING ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
1.	Working closely with others.
2.	Protracted or irregular hours.
3.	Working around biohazards.
4.	Working around infectious diseases.
5.	Working with or near the deceased.
6.	Working with hands in water.
7.	Electrical hazards associated with patient care equipment.
SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
1.	Proficiency with computers.
2.	Strong communication skills.

Date Reviewed/Revised: June 2022