Advanced Practice Provider - Thoracic Head & Neck Medical Oncology - Inpatient

MD Anderson Cancer Center - Houston, TX

Full-time - Mid Level

Hybrid - Houston, TX

Ambulatory Health Care Services

About the position

The Advanced Practice Provider (APP) for Thoracic Head & Neck Medical Oncology at MD Anderson Cancer Center plays a crucial role in delivering high-quality patient care in an inpatient setting. This position involves conducting independent rounds to assess inpatients on the Thoracic Head & Neck Medical Oncology Consult Service, collaborating closely with physicians to ensure comprehensive patient evaluations and management. The APP will be responsible for assessing new consults, performing inpatient consultations, and providing education and counseling to patients regarding chemotherapy side effects and other cancer-related concerns. In addition to direct patient care, the APP will engage in discharge planning, which includes scheduling appropriate outpatient follow-ups, writing discharge prescriptions, and providing necessary education to patients and their families. The role requires effective coordination of inpatient care, including scheduling tests, liaising with research nurses, and interacting with the discharge planning team to arrange for home health care as needed. The APP will also manage medical problems independently while awaiting consultation from the attending physician, ensuring adherence to the guidelines set by the Texas State Board of Nurse Examiners. The position also entails maintaining accurate medical records, including dictating admission histories, writing daily progress notes, and managing patient-related paperwork. The APP will be expected to take initiative in decision-making and contribute to the department's goals by organizing and disseminating information clearly. Furthermore, the role includes performing various research-related duties, such as assessing patients for clinical trial eligibility and explaining protocol treatment options to patients. Overall, the APP will play a vital role in enhancing patient care and supporting the operational needs of the department.

Responsibilities

• Conduct independent in-patient rounds to make preliminary assessments of in-patients on THNMO Consult Service.
• Conduct in-patient rounds with physician.
• Assess new consults to the THNMO service.
• Perform in-patient consultations.
• Educate and counsel patients regarding chemotherapy side effects and other aspects of their cancer.
• Manage discharge planning, including scheduling appropriate out-patient follow-up and writing discharge prescriptions.
• Assist physician in coordination of in-patient care, including scheduling tests and consultations with other services.
• Screen and triage phone calls from New Patient Referral office and recently discharged patients/family members.
• Attend department meetings pertinent to patient care.
• Dictate admission history/physical, primary medical evaluations, consultations, discharge summaries, and final summaries in compliance with Medicare documentation guidelines.
• Write daily progress notes in compliance with Medicare documentation guidelines.
• Maintain daily flow sheets of pertinent lab and radiologic tests.
• Assist physicians with patient-related paperwork, including x-ray and scheduling requests, writing prescriptions, and chemotherapy orders.
• Prepare reports and work out details of presentations.
• Assess patients for protocol eligibility and assist research nurses in identifying patients for clinical trials.

Requirements

• Degree requirements as defined by the Texas Board of Nursing (BON) or Texas State Board of Physician Assistant Examiners (TSBPAE) for clinical licensure as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse or Physician Assistant.
• Written authorization from the Texas Board of Nursing (BON) or Texas State Board of Physician Assistant Examiners (TSBPAE) to function as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse or Physician Assistant.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) or Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification.

Nice-to-haves

• At least 1 year of experience in Advanced Practice Provider role.
• American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS), ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) or PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support) certification as required by patient care area.

Benefits

• Referral Bonus Available
• Relocation Assistance Available
• Hybrid Onsite/Remote Work Option