Advanced Practice Practitioner

Overview

We can’t do it without YOU!

Do you want to apply your experience, skills and education in a way that makes a meaningful and lasting difference in the lives of our patients and their families?  At Tennessee Cancer Specialists, it is the privilege of our employees to walk with our patients and their families as they move along the journey of fighting cancer. Whether you are working directly with patients in one of our clinics or in a support role, you are an important part of our mission to deliver the highest quality, compassionate care.  Our 200+ employees make up the teams at our 15 different East Tennessee locations. 

SCOPE :  Under direct supervision, diagnoses and treats acute, episodic, or chronic illness related to oncology/hematology, independently or as part of a healthcare team; focused on health promotion and disease prevention. Supports and adheres to Tennessee Cancer Specialists Code of Ethical Conduct and Compliance policies.

Responsibilities

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Analyzes and interprets patients' histories, symptoms, physical findings, or diagnostic information to develop appropriate diagnoses
• Diagnoses and/or treats chronic or acute health care disease and illness
• Recommends diagnostic or therapeutic interventions with attention to safety, cost, invasiveness, simplicity, acceptability, adherence, efficacy, etc.
• Prescribes medications based on efficacy, safety, and cost as legally authorized basing dosages, routes, and frequencies on such patient characteristics such as age and gender
• Educates patients about self-management of acute or chronic illnesses, tailoring instructions to patients' circumstances
• Orders, performs, or interprets the results of diagnostic tests, such as complete blood counts (CBCs), electrocardiograms (EKGs), and radiographs (x-rays)
• Maintains complete and detailed records of patients' health care plans and prognoses
• Recommends interventions to modify behavior associated with health risks
• Develops treatment plans based on scientific rationale, standards of care, and professional practice guidelines
• Detects and responds to adverse drug reactions, particularly to vulnerable populations
• Studies current literature, talks with colleagues, and participates in professional organizations or conferences to keep abreast of developments in nursing
• Counsels patients about drug regimens and possible side effects or interactions with other substances, such as food supplements, over-the-counter (OTC) medications, herbal remedies, etc.
• Provides patients with information needed to promote health, reduce risk factors, or prevent disease or disability
• Performs additional duties as requested or assigned

 KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

Communication and Comprehension Skills

• Active Listening:  Gives full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asks questions appropriately, not interrupting at inappropriate times.
• Speaking:   talks to others to convey information effectively.
• Reading:   Understands written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
• Critical Thinking:  using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Active Learning:  understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
• Ability to Research: Demonstrated ability to perform independent research in related fields of discipline. 
• Dependability: Willing to assist others; adheres to deadlines; is accountable for actions and productivity; maintains focus; punctual with good attendance record.

Social and Customer Service Skills

• Social Perceptiveness:  Aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
• Coordination:   Adjusts actions in relation to others’ actions.
• Persuasion:   Appropriately influences others to change their minds or behavior.
• Patient Focused: Promotes a positive image of the practice, builds strong relationships and works well with others soliciting feedback as appropriate, actively looking for ways to help people.

Resource Management Skills

• Time Management and Organization:  Manages one's own time/resources and the time/resources of others, possesses the ability to organize and coordinate work in a logical and productive manner.
• Job Knowledge: Stays current and up-to-date with developments in field of work; understands how the job is related to other positions within the company; uses appropriate resources (people, skills, services, etc.) to accomplish objectives.
• Quality: Strives to eliminate errors with accurate work as a priority, seeks opportunity to improve products/services, shows continual improvement in meeting established deliverables.

Leadership Skills

• Instructing:   Effectively teaches others how to complete job duties.
• Judgment and Decision Making:  Considers the relative costs and benefits of potential actions, choosing the most appropriate one.
• Critical Thinking:  Uses logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

Desktop Computer Skills

• Database (may include EMR, LMS, LIS, etc.):  Uses computer applications/programs to manage large amounts of information, including creating and editing simple databases, inputting data, retrieving specific records, and creating reports to communicate the data.
• Computer Navigation:  Uses scroll bars, a mouse, and dialog boxes to work within the computer’s operating system and being able to access and switch between applications and files of interest; navigating the Internet to find information as necessary.
• MS Office:  Uses computer applications such as Outlook, Excel, Word, etc. to enter, manipulate, and format data to document processes and communicate information.

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Graduate degree from an accredited Nurse Practitioner OR Physician Assistant program required
• Active TN state license required
• Minimum 0-3 years of prior experience in oncology and at least one (1) year of APP experience highly preferred. 
• Current BLS certification required
• Required to maintain current education requirements

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here represent those that an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. 

• Physical demands of this job typically require a full range of body motion, including manual and finger dexterity and hand-eye coordination for handling and lifting patients as needed
• Requires standing and walking for extensive periods
• Occasionally lifts and carries items weighing up to 40 lbs. 
• Requires corrected vision and hearing to normal range.
• Required to be present at scheduled clinic site to assist patients and co-workers during assigned shift hours.

 WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here represent those an employee encounter while performing this job's essential functions. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

• Exposure to infectious diseases, toxic substances, medical preparations, and other conditions common to an oncology/hematology clinic environment
• Travels to multiple clinics to perform job duties as assigned 
• Involves frequent interaction with staff, patients, and the public