Nurse Practitioner / Physician Assistant – Oncology

Henry Ford Great Lakes Cancer Management

Job Title: Nurse Practitioner / Physician Assistant – Oncology
Location: Webber Cancer Center – 11800 12 Mile Road, Warren, MI 48089 (possibility of adding 1 more location)
Department: Oncology
Inpatient/Outpatient: Outpatient, with varied inpatient.
Case Load: 100% Adult

The Hematology/Oncology Advanced Practice Provider (APP) functions as an independent healthcare provider who, working collaboratively within a health team is responsible for providing comprehensive care to both well and ill patients. APP demonstrates a high degree of clinical expertise in working with patients with acute and chronic illnesses, specifically cancer patients in active treatment. APP is responsible for assessment, diagnosis, treatment, management, education, health promotion and care coordination for patients and families with acute and chronic health needs. The APP demonstrates an advanced level of medical/nursing clinical knowledge, communication and interdisciplinary collaboration, professionalism and systems-based practice. APP works with administrative, nursing, physician, to assure safe, effective, quality patient care and to promote educational and research missions.

Hematology/Oncology APP is dedicated to assisting patients and their families as they cope with various forms of cancer. The Hematology/Oncology APP is trained to manage the physical and psychological needs of the oncology patient and his or her family. They will provide primary, acute or tertiary care in a variety of medical settings including but not limited to private practice, hospitals, cancer care centers, and palliative care centers. They may also work collaboratively with educational programs on cancer prevention and similar topics.

Oncology experience preferred, but not required.  Ability to practice independently and monitor chemotherapy and hematologic disorders.  Interest in palliative care, a plus.  New graduates will not be considered or reviewed.

Pleasant and collaborative environment with challenging cases to oversee.

Schedule – Full-Time. Monday – Friday, 8a-4p.

Weekend requirement – Voluntary.

Call requirement – Not at this time.

Minimum Job Requirements

• Certification/Licensure Eligible for Michigan certification as a Physician's Assistant OR State of Michigan Certified Nurse Practitioner or certification pending, as documented by temporary certificate.
• Completed degree(s) from an accredited institution that are above the minimum education requirement may be substituted for experience on a year for year basis.
• CPR Certified.
• May be required to submit to annual TB screening.
• May be required to provide proof of vaccination (Covid, hepatitis, etc.) candidate may decline vaccination through declination form or may provide record of vaccination from previous employer.
• Must pass a pre-employment background check.
• May be subject to credentialing process; must maintain credentialed status, if applicable.
• Must maintain certification status.

Essential Functions: 

Clinic Specific Responsibilities:

• Conduct comprehensive or episodic health history and physical assessment of oncology/hematology patients with acute, chronic and/or potential health problems.
• Establish medical diagnoses.
• Oversee treatment infusions and supportive care needs.
• Write specific orders within the limits of the practice agreement/scope of practice including chemotherapy.
• Provide appropriate direction to clinic staff regarding patient care issues.
• Communicates effectively with referring and primary health care providers.
• Manage independent outpatient clinical practice and coverage for collaborating physicians.
• Maintain clinical documentation according to group practice.
• Participate in medical oncology/hematology specific clinical quality and research projects.
• Educates patients and families on treatment plans, wellness care, and survivorship plans.
• Participates in learning opportunities.

Hospital Specific Responsibilities:

• Work directly with Hematologist/Oncologist to complete hospital rounding.
• Review patient charts and collect nursing assessment data, test results, labs, and multidisciplinary data for communication with the Hematologist/Oncologist.
• Independently perform history work up on new patient admissions and consults, evaluate patients in the ED if necessary and prepare detailed EMR notes for the physician.
• Clarify and answer questions for patients/families, nursing staff and collaborating physicians on the Hematologist/Oncologist’s medical plan of care.
• Participate with the Hematologist/Oncologist in organizing seamless transition of care for patients from the inpatient hospital setting to the outpatient clinic.
• Perform procedures consistent with GLCMS/Hospital Policy.

Quality Metrics:

• Provider is expected to run an efficient and timely office/hospital rounding schedule. Patient satisfaction is of utmost importance as it relates to patients feeling a sense of interest and concern for their needs.
• Provider is expected to complete exams in a thorough manner and accurately document chemotherapy and other medical orders.
• Provider is expected to remain current with documentation, notes and/or dictations (completed within a 48 hours of visit) and follow NCCN guidelines.
• Provider is expected to participate in medical staff meetings and teaching rounds, including physical attendance at least one CME meeting per year within physician’s sub-specialization. In addition, provider shall participate in at least one community event per year.
• Provider is expected to respond to emergency calls/pages within a reasonable amount of time, no longer than 20 minutes. Initiative should be taken when identifying times when assistance is needed for coverage and/or filling in for colleagues.
• Provider is expected to document on all assigned quality measures for each patient accurately in the EMR.
• Provider is expected to participate in hospital rounds with physician on assigned days and additional coverage as needed, this is including and not limited to holidays, weekends, and week days.

Other Job Duties: 

Clinical Knowledge:

• Performs history and physical assessments of patients that are accurate, complete, concise, relevant and appropriate for age, gender and clinical problem.
• Orders appropriate diagnostic studies and correctly interprets the results.
• Utilizes critical thinking to synthesize and analyze collected data.
• Develops, implements, evaluates and alters the plan of care as needed.
• Manages general medical and surgical conditions based on knowledge of the indications, contraindications, side effects, interactions and adverse reactions of pharmacologic agents and other relevant treatment modalities.
• Counsels and educates patients and families.
• Demonstrates proficiency in procedural skills pertinent to practice area.
• Maintains accurate, complete, concise and timely documentation in the electronic medical record.

Patient Care:

• Provides care that is patient and family centered, compassionate, appropriate and effective for the promotion of health, prevention of illness and treatment of disease throughout the lifespan.
• Facilitates consistent, coordinated care and clear communication among all members of the healthcare team.
• Incorporates the patient and family in care planning and treatment across settings.
• Serves as an advocate for patients and families in navigating the health care system.

Practice Based Learning and Clinical Improvement:

• Demonstrates insight into own strengths, limitations and knowledge deficits.
• Demonstrates initiative to meet identified learning needs using multiple resources.
• Actively participates in self-evaluation by seeking and utilizing guidance and constructive feedback in a professional manner.
• Continuously seeks opportunities for clinical advancement and knowledge and skill attainment.
• Participate in research opportunities to advance the care and treatment of patients with cancer.

Communication and Interdisciplinary Collaboration:

• Communicates and collaborates effectively with physicians, other health professionals and health related agencies.
• Works effectively with multidisciplinary team members.
• Promotes mutual respect and trust working within a team model.
• Communicates effectively with patients and families, incorporating gender, age, culture, race, religion, disabilities and sexual orientation.

Professionalism:

• Follows ethical principles regarding patient confidentiality, informed consent and unanticipated adverse outcomes.
• Demonstrates the highest level of accountability for professional practice.
• Participates in education of other health care professionals.
• Maintains effectiveness where circumstances and priorities are changing. Is flexible, resilient and change oriented.
• Welcomes and participates in opportunities to advance the mission of GLCMS through service, scholarship, science and social responsibility.
• Participates in organizational and departmental meetings, educational opportunities, committees and workgroups as necessary.

Systems Based Practice:

• Considers cost effectiveness and risk/benefit analysis when making decisions about patient care.
• Uses evidenced-based medicine to systematically analyze and improve patient care practices.
• Participates in quality initiative/performance activities.
• Participates in development, evaluates and implements standards of care within area of specialization (policies, protocols, etc.).

Supervisory Responsibilities: 

This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

 Qualifications: 

Education and/or Experience 

• Nurse Practitioner: Master’s or Doctorate’s degree from accredited Nursing Program.
• Physician Assistant: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree from accredited PA Program.
• No new graduates will be considered.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations 

NP:

• Active RN and APNP license in State of Michigan.
• Active board certification as a NP in: Adult; Adult/Gerontology, Acute Care; Hematology; Oncology.

PA:

• Active PA license in State of Michigan.
• Active PA board certification.

Computer Skills 

To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of Electronic Medical Record (OncoEMR or other Oncology/Hematology software) and Practice Management (PM) software’s, Google or Microsoft Office Applications, and the ability to operate basic Internet software. The individual should be able to operate a computer in order to accurately enter data into a database, search for information, send and receive email and attachments. Must use the internet to access schedules, research insurance information, etc. Work requires extensive work using a computer.

Other Skills and Abilities 

Must be competent in; Time Management, Organization, Attention to Detail, Quality Focus, Professionalism, Productivity, Thoroughness, Coordination, Deadline-Oriented, Internal Communications, and Reporting Skills.

Must have:

• Interpersonal skills to work with end users.
• Experience with HIPAA and other Healthcare standards a plus.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills - Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; Listens and gets clarification; Responds well to questions; Participates in meetings. Writes clearly and informatively; edits work for spelling and grammar; able to read and interpret written information.
• Teamwork - Balances team and individual responsibilities; Exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; Gives and welcomes feedback; Contributes to building a positive team spirit; Puts success of team above own interests; Supports everyone's efforts to succeed.
• Ethics - Treats people with respect; Keeps commitments; Works with integrity and ethically; Upholds organizational values.
• Organizational Support - Follows policies and procedures; Completes administrative tasks correctly and on time; supports organization's goals and values; Supports affirmative action and respects diversity.
• Judgment - Displays willingness to make decisions; Exhibits sound and accurate judgment; Supports and explains reasoning for decisions; Includes appropriate people in decision-making process; Makes timely decisions.
• Planning/Organizing - Prioritizes and plans work activities; Uses time efficiently.
• Professionalism - Approaches others in a tactful manner; Reacts well under pressure; Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; Accepts responsibility for own actions; Follows through on commitments.
• Quality - Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; Applies feedback to improve performance; Monitors own work to ensure quality.
• Quantity - Meets productivity standards; Completes work in timely manner; Strives to increase productivity; Works quickly.

Language Skills 

Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos. Ability to write simple correspondence. Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to customers, clients, and other employees of the organization.

Reasoning Ability 

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out simple one or two step instructions.

Ability to deal with standardized situations with only occasional or no variables.

Physical Demands 

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. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and talk or hear. The employee must regularly lift and /or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Work 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. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Reporting Structure

The APP will report directly to the assigned Hospital Management Team for patient care and hospital related activities. For non-patient practice related issues the APP will report to the GLCMS COO.

Environmental Exposure

None