Advanced Practice Provider

Overview

As an integral part of a multi-disciplinary care team within Central Health, the Specialty Advanced Practice Provider (APP) is responsible for providing direct patient care in the area of their clinical specialization, including but not limited to cardiology, neurology, gastroenterology, nephrology, palliative care or pulmonology. The Advanced Practice Provider would also have the opportunity for programmatic development and management of disease specific initiatives within their specialty, for example, a heart failure program. This position is responsible for closely collaborating with the clinic's physicians, pharmacists, dietitians, social workers, nurses, and other clinical staff members, and assisting the team in achieving objectives and goals related to clinical practice and improved quality. As the Lead APP, this position would supervise and manage other specialty APPs (Advanced Practice Providers) and provide clinical direction, education, and support. They will collaborate with the clinic lead physician, clinic
nurse manager and clinic administrator as well as serve as an advocate and liaison for the APPs. 10% protected admin time will be allocated for this role, in addition to the 10% protected clinical admin time for care coordination and inbox management.
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 Director of Specialty Care.

Responsibilities

Essential Duties
• 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.
• Develops a strong understanding of Epic application(s) as implemented at Central Health.
• 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.
• Effectively communicates information to patients, families, colleagues, nursing, and other health care professionals, as appropriate.
• Prepares and provides timely and accurate reports and forms, as may be required by Central Health or others.
• Coordinates care and facilitates collaboration with other providers to provide services to eligible patients.
• 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.
• Works closely with families of diverse patient populations.
• Facilitates effective communication with case management/care coordination teams regarding readmission prevention.
• Prioritizes duties and responsibilities, demonstrating strong organization and time management skills.
• Demonstrates excellent verbal and written communication skills, assuring appropriate confidentiality is always maintained.
• Interacts with others in a positive, professional manner, contributing to a positive team environment.
• Works within the scope of credentialing privileges.
• Performs up to 20% of time on Epic application(s) work per week.
• Works in collaboration with Epic team to maintain up-to-date expertise on the Epic applications.
• Assist with customization of EMR for workflow to provide responsive service based on user needs.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:
• Directly affects improvements in patient well-being through accurate and timely diagnosis and delivery of relevant, high quality clinical care.
• Ensures all tasks provided and associated with patient care, patient administrative processes and related duties comply with all regulatory and accreditation standards including The Joint Commission and Central Health Standard Operating Procedures, Policies and Procedures.
• Ability to collaborate with teams of professionals to achieve specific goals.
• Ability to thrive in a complex and dynamic work environment with multidisciplinary, cross-functional teams and matrixed team structures.
• Demonstrates ability to manage and prioritize multiple complex projects with varying deadlines and limited resources.
• Ability to apply critical thinking to generate and assess potential solutions and to anticipate needs in advance.
• Ability to manage competing objectives in an ambiguous, fast-paced environment to achieve results.
• Knowledge of best practice and industry standards for advanced practice providers.
• Compliance with data confidentiality and security procedures.
• Ability to manage employees and interact with colleagues in a respectful, supportive fashion which encourages employee's personal and professional growth.
• High-level skill at building relationships within the organization and with external partners.
• Able to balance a customer-oriented and results-driven approach.
• Able to persuade others to approach topics and ideas differently.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to communicate complex ideas clearly and effectively through both writing and speaking.
• Experience with electronic medical records and healthcare-derived data and a working knowledge of the laws and regulations that govern the same.
• Demonstrates ability to perform complex operations in Microsoft Office suite.
• Ability to collaborate with patients, families, and care teams through multiple complex systems.
• Strong assessment skills
• Follows standard precautions.
• Maintains confidentiality.
• Exhibits compassion, vulnerability, and empathy when working with employees (patients) and advancing Central Health's DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) goals.
• Provides patient centered care that is inclusive and focuses on cultural humility.
• Shares a commitment to diversity and inclusion awareness and practices across Central Health.
• Completes all mandatory training and maintains appropriate credentials/licensure.

As lead APP, this position entails some of the following:
Manage workforce planning and utilization to include hiring, termination, and professional growth and development of all APPs.
Develops vision, strategy, and performance goals for APPs. Performance evaluations to include development of competency plans, goals, and making recommendations for improvement and success.
Provide on-going program evaluation and recommendations to the Director of Specialty Care for continuous growth and quality improvement.
As a Wellness champion, advocate and provide opportunities for staff to maintain healthy effective ways to promote work-life integration.
Manage and support the implementation of new initiatives and ensure strategy and initiatives are coordinated, as well as foster a welcoming environment for learners in the clinical space.
Adhere to all local, state, and federal regulations.

Qualifications

MINIMUM EDUCATION: Graduation from an accredited school of physician assistants OR master's degree from an accredited school of nursing.
PREFERRED EDUCATION:
MINIMUM EXPERIENCE: Two years of experience as an advanced practice provider in a specialty setting including but not limited to: cardiology, neurology, gastroenterology, nephrology, or pulmonology.

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE:
• One year of experience supporting applications in a healthcare environment
• Previous work experience as an Epic application(s) high level/super user preferred.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Joint Commission standards, HIPAA regulations, Quadruple Aim, and value-based care.
Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.
REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS/LICENSURE: Holds and maintains these certifications as a professional. Lapsing/expiration of these certifications/licensure will result in suspension of work:
• Unrestricted license to practice as a Physician Assistant in the State of Texas OR unrestricted license to practice nursing in the State of Texas/current credentialing as an Advanced Nurse Practitioner by the Texas Board of Nurse Examiners.
• Current Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) for the purpose of writing prescriptions.
• Current Healthcare Provider Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) through American Heart Association.
• Current Basic Life Support Certification for Healthcare Providers through American Heart Association.

PREFERRED CERTIFICATIONS/LICENSURE:
REQUIRED COURSES/COMPLETIONS (e.g., CPR):
Basic Life Support (BLS) - Obtained through approved American Heart Association or Red Cross.

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