Outpatient - Advanced Prac Registered Nurse (APRN/PA) - General Internal Medicine

The mission of The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center is to eliminate cancer in Texas, the nation, and the world through outstanding programs that integrate patient care, research and prevention, and through education for undergraduate and graduate students, trainees, professionals, employees and the public.

The primary purpose of the Outpatient Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) in the Department of General Internal Medicine, Consultative Medicine Section, is to promote and maintain the health of GIM patients across the care continuum throughout the institution supporting the outpatient clinics and as an acute response provider to patients in the Ambulatory Treatment Center (ATC).

Key Functions

1. Provide Direct Medical Skills within Scope of Practice

Advanced Practice Providers in the Department of General Internal Medicine is responsible for assessing and conducting comprehensive patient history, physical examinations, and psychosocial assessments.

This involves talking to patients and patients' families. Must be able to communicate findings to physicians and family.

Has primary responsibility for working with department faculty physicians to assist in covering the General Internal Medicine services.

Clinical aspects include but, are not limited to the following : manage chronic medical illnesses, such as diabetes, HTN, COPD, assess and manage any common acute and episodic illnesses such as constipation, cough, diarrhea, n / v, suspected or new DVT, asymptomatic PE, URI symptoms.

Assess and manage adverse events or side effects of patients receiving chemotherapy in the ATC.

Perform and record histories, physical assessments and progress notes within 24 hours. For co- managed patients sign off and forward to the supervising physician for co-signature within 24 hours.

Order routine tests appropriate to the services provided under such orders.

Order patient medications and treatments within authorized limited prescriptive authority, consistent with institutional delegated prescriptive authority policies and procedures.

• Assist with clinic and hospital related paperwork (radiology and nuclear medicine forms, placing patients on clinical pathway, writing / calling in prescriptions)
• Retrieve and review labs, pathology results, radiology and other diagnostic reports
• Facilitate communication with supervising physician, consultants to determine appropriate disposition of patients seen in Consultative Medicine by reviewing laboratory and / or diagnostic results, and care coordination with various specialties.
• Independently initiate monthly assignments without supervision. Understand and respond to telephone conversations with physicians and other members of the health care team, both within and outside of the institution.

Clearly write and communicate verbally, person-to-person, and over the phone.

• Attend Monthly Consultative Medicine Meetings.
• Attend Division of Internal Medicine Grand Rounds.

2. Education / Research / Collaboration

Provide patient and trainee education. Participate in clinical protocol clinical tasks, as needed. Commit to collaborative relationships with co-workers, patients, faculty, physicians, and all members of the health care team.

Deliver education to patients and their families. Conduct in-service training for clinic and in-house nursing personnel regarding protocol requirements.

Act as liaison with patients, families, physicians, and other personnel.

Participate in trainee education, , house officers and medical students. Instruct coworkers in allied positions to record patient information and / or data entry.

May supervise personnel in related activities.

Participate and collaborate on clinical research protocols. Interview patients and review the eligibility criteria to identify potential patients for protocol studies.

Demonstrate a service attitude by :

a. Identifying new ways to provide better service to supervisors, peers, external employees, visitors, etc.

b. Maintains pleasant and professional demeanor.

c. Following up to make sure that the problem is solved.

Exhibit professional behavior at all times.

EDUCATION : Master's Degree in Nursing or Doctor of Nursing Practice. May be waived for applicants who obtained recognition as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse from the Texas State Board of Nursing prior to 1 / 1 / 2003.

Graduate education and related Texas Board of Nursing authorization must be consistent with clinical practice area and patient population.

LICENSURE : All of the following : Written authorization from the Texas Board of Nursing to function as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN or ACNP or ACNPC or ACAGNP or AGACNP or ACNPC-AG or AGACNP or AGNP or ACPNP or ANP or AGNP or AGPCNP or FNP or GNP or PNP or PMHNP or WHNP or APNP).

Related authorization must be consistent with clinical practice area and patient population. Basic Life Support (BLS). Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) If working in the following departments : Pediatric - Patient Care (113100).

MAY BE REQUIRED : Authorization for limited prescriptive authority by the Texas Board of Nursing.

It is the policy of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center to provide equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity / expression, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by institutional policy or by federal, state or local laws unless such distinction is required by law.