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Northwestern Medicine has an exciting opportunity for either a Nurse Practitioner or a Physician Assistant to work in our inpatient Anesthesia and Acute Pain Medicine Division at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, which provides comprehensive care for a wide range of surgical and medical patients. This includes perioperative assessment and management of patients presenting for various types of surgery, as well as management of non-surgical inpatients referred to the acute pain service. The APS at NMH has a high utilization of procedural and non-procedural acute pain interventions, including epidurals, peripheral nerve injections and catheters, ketamine infusions, and IV PCAs.

This position will work in collaboration and as a member of the APS team (Attending Physician, Fellow, Residents, APPs) to provide care for perioperative patients and other trauma and non-surgical patients with acute and acute-on-chronic pain. This will include assessment and management of epidural catheters, nerve blocks, nerve catheters, ketamine infusions, as part of a multimodal analgesic regimen tailored to each patient.

• Works in collaboration with the APS team to provide clinical care to inpatients referred to the APS.
• This care will include assessment and management of epidural catheters, nerve blocks, peripheral nerve catheters, ketamine infusions and consultations on trauma-related and acute-on-chronic pain.
• Provide comprehensive assessment and management of pain for hospitalized patients, integrating interventional techniques as part of a multimodal analgesic regimen as appropriate.
• In collaboration with the Acute Pain Service physicians, obtain a comprehensive health history, perform a physical examination, and establish a diagnosis and treatment plan.
• In collaboration with the APS team, establish and manage a follow-up plan based on the patient’s response.
• Document in the medical record the health history, physical exam findings, patient progress, and treatment plan and recommendations.
• Collaborate with the APS team to maintain good communication with patients, families, primary care providers, and other referral services while promoting an environment of mutual respect.
• Collaborate with physician and nursing leadership in developing and implementing patient care policies and procedures.
• Provide pain management-related nursing education.
• Participate in quality improvement and/or research projects, including initiation and assisting with problem identification and data collection as appropriate.
• Independently seek opportunities to expand own clinical knowledge and skills to achieve professional development goals.
• Participate in division/departmental/hospital committees as needed/requested.

Schedule: M-F, days; no nights/weekends/holidays; one day a week home pager call  

Essential Functions: 

Demonstrates clinical expertise and expanded knowledge through patient care activities which may include diagnosis and management of a wide range of health problems. Responsible for health outcome of an assigned patient population. Confers with collaborating physician and other health professionals in area of clinical expertise. Develops appropriate educational systems for patients, families and staff in areas of expertise. Mentors graduate students in aspects of advanced practice and patient care. Actively participates in quality improvement and/or research pertinent to area of expertise. 

Responsibilities: 

Conducts comprehensive appraisals of patients' health status by taking health histories and performing physical examinations in clinical area. Provides direct clinical care to patients. Prescribes/orders medications, therapies; orders/interprets laboratory tests, x-rays and procedures according to clinical privileges. Evaluates patients to determine their need for further health care. Provides comprehensive teaching to patients and families. Documents in the medical record all care and education provided and/or procedures performed for which the Licensed Advanced Practice Provider is responsible. Refers to other disciplines as appropriate. Consultant to other disciplines in areas of expertise. Integrates research based knowledge and clinical expertise in decision making. Exemplifies a professional image in appearance, manner and presentation. Advocate for patients, families, coworkers, and the community. Maintains certifications and continuing education as required for licensure and privileging. Serves as a patient advocate and role model for "Patients First". Participates in unit/departmental/divisional or hospital committees/task forces as appropriate. Provides comprehensive teaching strategies for patients and their families. Develops and participates in programs to meet continuing education needs of staff. Serves as a role model and preceptor to students. Provides formal education to both internal and external groups pertinent to area of specialty. Participates in quality improvement and/or research initiatives for specific patient population as appropriate. 

Required:

• Master’s degree from an accredited school/college of nursing OR master's degree from an accredited Physician Assistant Program  
• Acute care certification required for APRNs
• Current license as a Registered Nurse in the State of Illinois. Current license as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse in the State of Illinois. Certification as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse by a national certifying body as approved by the Illinois Department of Regulation APRN Board. Once licensed may apply for a controlled substance license and DEA number OR Master’s degree from an accredited Physician Assistant Program/Current license as a Physician Assistant in the State of Illinois.  Once licensed may apply for a controlled substance license and DEA number
• Privileged and credentialed through the NMH Medical Staff Office (MSO)
• Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation – BLS, issued by the American Heart Association 
• Inpatient experience either as a RN or a PA required

Northwestern Medicine is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status.