Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant - Epilepsy (Neurology)
POSITION DESCRIPTION/SCOPE OF PRACTICE
Classification Title: ARNP (PT35) / PA (PD03)
Job Function: Healthcare - Department of Neurology/Comprehensive Epilepsy Program
Job Family: Licensed Healthcare Provider
Status: Full Time
BASIC FUNCTION AND RESPONSIBILITY
This position is for an ARNP or PA in the Department of Neurology as part of the Comprehensive Epilepsy Program.
Focus will be on providing personalized care to the epilepsy patients within the Department of Neurology Comprehensive Epilepsy Program. Promote the referral of patients to clinic and the epilepsy monitoring unit who require evaluation at Iowa’s only Level 4 comprehensive epilepsy center, including those patients at high risk of morbidity and mortality by virtue of their diagnosis of refractory epilepsy. Coordinate the care of epilepsy patients through the process of evaluation for epilepsy surgery. Perform overall medical care and medical management exercising autonomy in medical decision-making and services provided in an outpatient setting and follow up on an as needed basis. Collaborate/consult in the optimization of care delivery through coordination and transitions of care as a part of a team. Use judgment to provide continuity of care incorporating best practices. Work to promote the epilepsy program’s goals of quality care, safety and patient satisfaction. Promote education of epilepsy and its treatment to patients, families, referring providers and the community at large.
CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Clinical
- Perform direct patient care including diagnostic and therapeutic services.
- Be responsible for evaluation, management, education and assurance of follow up for each patient seen in clinic.
- Conduct comprehensive assessments focused on neurological/epilepsy needs of patients.
- Collaborate with the epilepsy care team members, patient/family and other referring providers to formulate, implement, coordinate, evaluate and modify care plans that are individualized, multimodal/comprehensive and evidence-based.
- Work with patients and families to determine their understanding of the patient’s condition, proposed treatment plan and treatment options, provide appropriate education; discuss and develop goals of care and identify measurable treatment objectives.
- Assist the patient, family and primary care provider(s) with implementation of the plan of care in the home or community, outpatient and epilepsy monitoring unit settings.
- Coordinate the care of patients undergoing evaluation for epilepsy surgery, from time of identification of candidacy through the post-operative follow-up.
- Maintain a census on the epilepsy monitoring unit, through optimal referral of appropriate patients, that maximizes the program’s ability to help those in need of comprehensive epilepsy services.
- Triage phone calls and provide assistance with transition of care from outpatient to inpatient, and as needed, inpatient to outpatient.
- Assess and facilitate referrals and consultations to other services per patient needs.
- Complete documentation and billing procedures according to institutional and departmental guidelines. Ensure that documentation identifies goals of care and facilitates interdisciplinary communication.
- Demonstrate accountability for evaluation of clinical practice, including adherence to organizational, state and national practice standards and codes.
- Assure clinical competency and expertise in the area of epilepsy care and general neurology.
- Promote health maintenance that spans the continuum of health.
- Initiate and coordinate referrals to other health care team members or agencies.
- Provide anticipatory guidance and counseling to patients/families and provide education and serve as a resource for ancillary staff in area of clinical expertise.
Education
- Provide education and serve as a resource for nursing staff, medical and advanced practice provider students, and residents in area of clinical expertise
- Provide education on epilepsy and the services of the Iowa Comprehensive Epilepsy Program to referring providers and the general community
- Serve in a consultative resource capacity by providing expert knowledge and behavioral skills that impact clinical practices and patient outcomes
Research/QAI
- Participate in the development and implementation of divisional and departmental QA/QI/research programs.
- Participate in consent and protocols for clinical trials/research projects in conjunction with other disciplines.
- Participate in the development and implementation of divisional and departmental quality assessment/improvement/research programs and processes as well as contribute toward the achievement of divisional and departmental goals.
- Professional Responsibilities
- Participate in clinically relevant activities and attend UIHC APP council meetings and other conferences to enhance clinical and professional expertise.
- Maintain national and state licensing and certification requirements.
- Maintain current compliances (University, UI Health Care, Departmental, etc.) as required.
- Attend Epilepsy Surgery Case Conference, Epilepsy Journal Club, Epilepsy division meetings, and epilepsy- related Neurology Grand Rounds presentations.
POSITION EXPECTATIONS/UNIVERSAL COMPETENCIES
Positive Impact/Achieving Results
- Ability to utilize existing resources and learning to achieve or exceed desired outcomes of current and future organizational goals/needs. Able to demonstrate ethical behavior in diverse situations while producing results.
Service Excellence/Customer Focus
- Ability to meet or exceed customer service needs and expectations and provide excellent service in a direct or indirect manner. Ability to effectively transmit and interpret information through appropriate communication with internal and external customers.
Clinical practice oversight is received from the Director, Comprehensive Epilepsy Program, the Medical Director of the Inpatient Epilepsy Monitoring Unit, and the Medical Director of the Neurology Outpatient Clinic, or other designated official(s). Functional and administrative oversight received from the APP lead/Clinical Director or designee.
Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner:
Required Qualifications
- A Master's degree is required. A Master's degree in Nursing is preferred. If Master's degree is in a related field, a Baccalaureate degree in nursing is required. Requires demonstrated experience in area of clinical practice
- Current license to practice nursing in Iowa is required
- Current certification as either a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) or Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (A-GNP) and current licensure as ARNP in state of Iowa is required.
- 3-5 years of patient care experience
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Desired Qualifications
- Experience with patient and staff education
- Demonstrated ability to develop and implement new programs
- Experience with evidence-based practice or research utilization
- Participation in professional PA/ARNP organizations
- Completion of the “EMU Caring” on-line training modules as found here: https://www.aesnet.org/professional_education/emu_caring
or
Physician Assistant:
Required Qualifications
- Must comply with registration and licensure requirements as specified by the Iowa Board of Physician Assistant Examiners which include graduation from an accredited PA educational program and certification by the NCCPA.
- Current license to practice in Iowa is required.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills are required.
- Demonstrated experience in area of clinical practice is required.
Desired Qualifications
- Experience with patient and staff education
- Demonstrated ability to develop and implement new programs
- Experience with evidence-based practice or research utilization
- Participation in professional PA organizations
- Completion of the “EMU Caring” on-line training modules as found here: https://www.aesnet.org/professional_education/emu_caring
Please attach a resume and cover letter as part of the application process. Job openings are posted for a minimum of 14 calendar days. This job may be removed from posting and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended.
The Department of Neurology Epilepsy Division intends to hire for one position as either an Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant, based on the qualifications of the successful candidate. Please indicate in your cover letter the position you wish to be considered for.
Successful candidates will be required to self-disclose any conviction history and will be subject to a criminal background check and credential/education verification. 5 professional references will be requested at a later step in the recruitment process.
Equal opportunity/affirmative action employer
The University of Iowa is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment free from discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth and related conditions), disability, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, service in the U.S. military, sexual orientation, gender identity, or associational preferences.
Persons with disabilities who need assistance or accommodations with the application or interview process may contact University Human Resources/Faculty and Staff Disability Services, (319) 335-2660 or fsds@uiowa.edu. For jobs in UI Health care, please contact UI Health care Leave & Disability Administration at 319-356-7543.
