Physician Assistant – Acute Care – Neurotrauma Days (Neurosurgery)

What we do here changes the world. UTHealth Houston is Texas’ resource for healthcare education, innovation, scientific discovery, and excellence in patient care. That’s where you come in.

UTHealth Neurosciences houses one of the largest and busiest Neuro Trauma Programs in the country at Memorial Hermann TMC. We are currently looking for a full time Advanced Practice Provider (APP) to support our neuro trauma service along side our world renowned neurosurgeons and neurosurgical residents.  The NP/PA works Monday through Friday, no nights/holidays/weekends. The hours are rotating between (0530-1330 and 1000-1800, but can be soley 0530-1330 if the preferred). The APP will see all the neurosurgical consults that come to the hospital, answer phone calls for the service line, and assist the team with the initial evaluation and assessment of the neurotrauma patients in the ED or as direct admits to either the ICU, IMU, or floor. This APP will be trained to perform lumbar punctures, lumbar drains, craniotomy for insertion of ICP bolt monitor and/or ventricular catheters,  scalp wound closures, removal of drains, and consenting patients for procedures and speaking to families about the patient’s condition.  

The UTH Neuroscience group boasts 37 highly skilled Advanced Practice Providers within the neurology, neurosurgery, and neurocritical care department which fosters opportunities for mentorship and growth. This is a great place for new graduate and experienced APPs to grow professionally. Our multidisciplinary approach helps promote team learning, group dynamics and excellent patient care. 

Position Summary:

•     The APP works in collaboration with a multidisciplinary health care team to care for the neuro trauma patients at MH TMC.

•     Manages the neurosurgical aspects of patient care from admission to discharge for ICU, IMU, and floor level patients.

•     APP has a strong foundation in evidenced-based practice and education, responsibility for ensuring adherence to pathways and protocols, and ensures an environment of safe quality care.

•     Demonstrate an advanced level of medical and nursing knowledge, clinical and technical competence, sound clinical judgment, professional communication skills, timely and compliant documentation, and responsibility for professional development and competency validation.

•     Procedural experience preferred, but not required.

•     M-F 8h shifts. No nights, weekends, or holidays.

Location: 6411 Fannin, Houston, Texas 77030

Once you join us you won’t want to leave. It’s because we reward our team for the excellent service they provide. Our total rewards package includes the benefits you’d expect from a top healthcare organization (benefits, insurance, etc.), plus:  

• 100% paid medical premiums for our full-time employees  
• Generous time off (holidays, preventative leave day, both vacation and sick time – all of which equates to around 37-38 days per year) 
• The longer you stay, the more vacation you’ll accrue! 
• Longevity Pay (Monthly payments after two years of service) 
• Build your future with our awesome retirement/pension plan! 

We take care of our employees! As a world-renowned institution, our employees’ wellbeing is important to us. We offer work/life services such as… 

• Free financial and legal counseling 
• Free mental health counseling services 
• Gym membership discounts and access to wellness programs 
• Other employee discounts including entertainment, car rentals, cell phones, etc. 
• Resources for child and elder care 
• Plus many more! 

Position Summary:

Provides advanced medical care to patients with complex acute, critical, and/or chronic health conditions in a clinic or hospital setting in one or more specialized areas under the direction of a physician.

Position Key Accountabilities:

1.    Conducts complex, standardized patient care procedures which require experience and specialized training which would otherwise be performed by a physician, but which do not constitute the practice of medicine.
2.    Conducts independent and physician supervised rounding on unit.
3.    Performs relevant patient evaluations and assessments and provides appropriate treatment; including monitoring and ordering medications.
4.    Coordinates, directs, and implements the patient’s plan of care.
5.    Assists in collecting patient histories, screens for co-morbidities, and provides guidance and preventative health care as needed.
6.    Performs physical examinations and provides episodic care or problem oriented care under the supervision of a physician. 
7.    Orders appropriate laboratory, diagnostic and radiographic tests and interprets the results.
8.    Monitors the treatment program of the patient to inform the attending physician of pertinent medical information.
9.    Facilitates patient education relating to medical processes, medication, nutrition and health promotion or preventive health.
10.    Assists physicians in formulating therapeutic decisions.
11.    Maintains appropriate records, and prepares chart documentation for review and counter signature by the physician.
12.    Prepares and cares for supplies and equipment.
13.    Responds to emergency situations.
14.    Performs within the scope of practice prescribed by licensure and certification.
15.    Performs other duties as assigned.

Certification/Skills:

Current Texas Licensure as a Physician Assistant; Current Physician Assistant certification issued by the National Commission of Certification of Physician Assistants.
Basic Life Support (BLS) Certified or specialty certification as required by department.
Proficient in the use of medical and surgical instruments and equipment required by work.

Minimum Education:

Master’s degree as Physician Assistant.  Bachelor’s degree as Physician Assistant with at least two years of professional experience in the role is acceptable based on terminal degree requirements at the time of graduation.

Minimum Experience:

None; previous experience in area of clinical focus preferred.

Physical Requirements:

Exerts up to 50 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 20 pounds frequently and/or up to 10 pounds constantly to move objects.

Security Sensitive:

This job class may contain positions that are security sensitive and thereby subject to the provisions of Texas Education Code § 51.215

Veteran Information:

Military occupations that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include but are not limited to: 0904, 0963, 1976, 46Y1C, 46Y1H, 66B, 66C, 4A0X1, 46YX, 65D, 230X, PHA10, 42GX, 66P, 66R, 290X.

For a complete list please visit www.uthealth-veterans.jobs .

Residency Requirement:

Employees must permanently reside and work in the State of Texas.

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