App – Hospitalist

Why Join Us? We are looking for talented and highly-motivated individuals who demonstrate a natural desire to support the meaningful work of community oncologists and the patients we serve.

APP provides care at Ascension St. Thomas Midtown oncology inpatient unit. APP provides quality care to inpatients with hematologic and oncologic diagnosis who are admitted to the hospital to treat complications of their malignancy, complications of their treatment, palliative care or for chemotherapy.   The APP uses evidence-based literature and works toward evidence-based practice to effect a positive change in the health and healthcare delivered to the patient with a past, current, or potential diagnosis of cancer.  

Shift: M-F

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: 

I) Clinical 

• Assesses the physical and psychosocial status of patients. 

• Obtains and documents comprehensive health history. 
• Performs and documents complete, system-focused, symptom-specific physical exams.   
• Assesses for symptoms commonly seen in patients with cancer, impact of physical comorbidities on cancer symptoms and response to treatment, signs and symptoms of disease progression or recurrence, actual or potential late effects of cancer and its treatment in cancer survivors. 
• Conducts a pharmacologic assessment, including prescriptions drugs, over-the-counter medications, nutritional supplements, and other complementary or alternative therapies. 
• Recognizes deviations from normal in the physical assessment. 

• Orders and interprets findings of ancillary data, including laboratory and diagnostic tests. 
• Prioritizes findings identify urgent or highest priority patient problems. 
• Identifies patients who may be eligible for entry into clinical trials based on clinical findings. 
• Relays appropriate information regarding patient care to the collaborating physician. 
• Communicates plan of care to patient, caregiver and other members of the health care team. 

• Writes prescriptions for medication, blood products based of laboratory results, routine diagnostic and follow-up studies, therapeutic measures, and post-discharge care in accordance with written practice protocols. 
• Administers therapeutic measures and obtains specimens in accordance with practice guidelines. 
• Provides management for symptoms of cancer and side effects related to cancer treatment. 
• Refers or requests consultation from physicians and other health care professionals.  
• Assists in the management related family dynamics and coping mechanisms during acute and chronic phases of patient care.  

• Serves as a resource to other members of the health care team regarding provision of quality care. 
• Provides continuity of care to patients in the inpatient and outpatient setting to achieve optimal patient outcomes and patient satisfaction. 
• Provides care for patients participating in clinical trials. 
• Evaluates the quality of care provided and recommends changes for improvement. 
• Performs procedures as warranted.  

• Take call as required. 
• May provide on call coverage mutually scheduled by supervising physician and Advanced Practice Providers.  (On-call coverage is not a mandatory requirement of “practice”.) Call responsibilities include but not limited to: 
• Responding to patient/family phone calls 
• Rounding in the hospital on Saturday and Sunday or as requested by the supervising physician. 
• Admitting patients to the hospital as needed 

• Contacting supervising physician for appropriate back-up as needed 
• Maintains current certification in Basic Life Support for the healthcare provider.
• ACLS if required by the hospital.     
• Other duties as requested by the supervising MD.    

II) Teaching 

• Educates patient and family on the treatment plan proposed. 
• Utilizes a variety of age and culturally appropriate teaching methods such as diagrams, handouts, booklets. 
• Facilitates patient decision making of discontinuing active cancer treatment while optimizing supportive care. 
• Educates cancer survivors regarding their risk of long-term effects of cancer and its treatment. 

• Provides formal and informal education to staff in oncology care. 
• Provides onboarding and orientation of new APPs to inpatient role as necessary.   
• Participates in the development of educational materials for patients and healthcare providers. 
• Presents updates in cancer care and specialty specific information to professionals at the local, regional, and national levels. 
• Recognizes the value of providing oncology education and support to the lay community by participating in community discussions, support groups, and informal consultation. 

 III) Communication 

• Reports patient information in an accurate, timely manner. 
• Complies with inpatient Epic documentation requirements.  
• Edits dictation. 

• Works effectively with others and utilizes the chain of command. 
• Collaborates with other health disciplines to ensure continuity and quality of care. 
• Represents the APP in department and board meetings and shares information with the APP group.  

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:  

• Current knowledge of inpatient malignant hematology/oncology and cellular therapy 
• Ability to work independently.  
• Knowledge of Tennessee Oncology Advanced Practice Provider Collaborative Practice Guidelines. 
• Knowledge of the Advanced Practice Provider as outlined in the Tennessee Oncology Policy and Procedure Manual. 
• Skills certification as required by the APPs specific role including but not limited to, BMBx, skin punch biopsies, paracentesis, and specialized accessing of chemotherapy delivery devices. 

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:  

• License to practice as NP or PA in the state of Tennessee required. 
• Master’s degree in nursing or certification as a Physician Assistant required. 
• National certification as Nurse Practitioner (American Nurses' Credentialing Center or American Academy of Nurse Practitioners) or Certification by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants required. 
• BLS Provider credentialed from American Heart Association (AHA) obtained prior to hire date.    

• Minimum of one year oncology nurse experience preferred.