Clinical Lead

At Houston Methodist, the Lead Nurse Practitioner/Physician Assistant (NP/PA) position is responsible for functioning as a clinical leader and scholar at the Expert level of Benner's model of clinical practice or according to the Board of Physician Assistant Examiners. The Lead NP/PA position conducts comprehensive assessments, identifying normal and abnormal health characteristics, develops plan of care initiates appropriate interventions, and evaluates care outcomes on a defined patient population. This position uses expert communication skills to serve as patient and family advocate to educate, mentor and coach staff in clinical practice, assuming an advanced leadership role in analyzing systems to anticipate and or reduce risk and improve patient safety and quality. In addition to responsibilities which include contributions at the unit/department, with expectation to collaborate, manage, and lead system wide and national initiatives, this position functions as a clinical provider maintaining and promoting health of the patient requiring care. The Lead NP/PA position affects direct patient care according to the Nurse Practice Act of the state of Texas or the Board of Physician Assistant Examiners.
Collaborates in the preparation of annual evaluations with supporting physicians and management personnel to ensure all paperwork is in compliance with all HR policies and guidelines.

~ Leads education and training of professional students through collaboration with department Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants and supervising clinical activity. Supports and provides coordination and direction to other physician assistants, nurse practitioners and other staff by proactively offering assistance. Serves as a preceptor by mentoring others regarding care of defined populations in resource utilization and time management.

~ Provides clinical guidance as a Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant subject matter expert to administrative and operations personnel. Includes the patient and family as a part of the team regarding their plan of care. Partners with the interprofessional health care team to facilitate communication with patient and family across the continuum of care. Fosters staff engagement by demonstrating active listening, requesting, and acknowledging feedback, making equitable decisions, providing rationale when appropriate, and supporting organizational goals. Conducts quality, timely, license-appropriate, patient care, under physician supervision, for a defined patient population(s), identifying normal/abnormal health characteristics, recognizing subtle cues to change in patient condition and focusing on identified expected unit/department/optimal outcomes, individualized to the patient. Prioritizes care based on the patient's needs, abilities, and preferences. develops supportive policies and guidelines, offers educational resources; Teaches coworkers to develop comprehensive plans of care in collaboration with patients and families, incorporating individual differences and preventive planning. Helps drive improvement of department score for patient satisfaction, through peer-to-peer accountability to service standards.

~ QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
~ Leads care rounds to assure patient safety and satisfaction. Manages assignment of complex patient and other department demands, rounding on service lines weekly, as appropriate. Provides safe and effective care by leading and initiating areas for improvement in patient care or unit/department operations, outcome, quality, and patient safety improvement activities in alignment with organizational goals. Integrates, modifies, and contributes to professional practice standards, policies, procedures, protocols by participating in unit/department projects, shared governance activities or interprofessional team activities.

~ Leads and supports colleagues and staff in conducting evidence-based practice/ performance improvement projects and implementing findings. Facilitates active involvement of others in team meetings, unit/department activities and process improvement.

Implements department strategies to achieve financial target and mentors others to do the same through timely documentation of care, optimizing efficiency, and other areas according to departmental specifications, e.g., Measures and analyzes resource allocation based on patient needs and staff experience, knowledge, and skills; contributes to unit/department plans for resource utilization and capital needs. Promotes quality health care by initiating, applying, and presenting research in collaboration with the Education Department, Research and Evidenced-Based Practice Council, nursing, physician assistant or medical schools, as appropriate. Contributes to professional practice standards at hospital/regional/national level.

~ Identifies, plans, and implements education for the unit, department, and/or service line in collaboration with team members and Nurse Practitioner/Physician Assistant leadership.

~ Generates and communicates new ideas to lead team to creative strategies that improve quality or service and impact the department and address organization or department priorities. Ensures own career discussions occur with appropriate management. Master's degree in Nursing and Graduate from an accredited Nurse Practitioners program OR Bachelor's degree for Physician Assistant AND Graduate from accredited Physician Assistant program by National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA)

WORK EXPERIENCE
~ Progressive management experience preferred

RN-Temp - Registered Nurse - Temporary State Licensure within 60 days AND
APRN - Advanced Practice Registered Nurse - Texas Board of Nursing AND
Magnet - ANCC Recognized Certification -- If Nurse Practitioner as an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, based on applicable patient population, i.e. AANP - Credentialed member, American Academy Of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) -- If Nurse Practitioner as an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, based on applicable patient population, i.e., AP - Prescriptive Authority - Texas Board of Nursing AND
FCCS - Fundamental Critical Care Support (SCCM) within 6 months

Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations

~ Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security

~ Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles

~ Uses therapeutic communication to establish a relationship with patients, families and interprofessional team to collaborate on the plan of care

~ Proficiency in Microsoft office software, as well as the ability to learn new software programs

~ Proven problem-solving and analysis skills

~ TRAVEL**
**Travel specifications may vary by department**
May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area Yes
May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area No
Houston Methodist Hospital is recognized by U.News & World Report as the No. 1 hospital in Texas (two-way tie) and one of America’s “Best Hospitals.” As a full-service, acute-care hospital located in the Texas Medical Center and the flagship hospital of Houston Methodist, it has evolved into one of the nation’s largest nonprofit teaching hospitals and a leader in innovative medical research with a comprehensive residency program. Two of Houston Methodist’s primary academic affiliates are among the nation’s leading health care organizations: Weill Cornell Medicine and New York-Presbyterian Hospital. With 948 operating beds, 85 operating rooms and more than 8,400 employees, Houston Methodist Hospital offers unparalleled care for thousands of patients from around the world.
Houston Methodist is an equal opportunity employer inclusive of women, minorities, disabled persons and veterans.
Houston Methodist will not engage in discrimination against or harassment of any person employed or seeking employment with Houston Methodist on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, status as a protected veteran or other characteristics protected by law. VEVRAA Federal Contractor – priority referral Protected Veterans requested.