Advanced Practice Provider - Cancer Rehabilitation Program

Shirley Ryan AbilityLab is the global leader in physical medicine and rehabilitation for adults and children with the most severe, complex conditions. By joining our team, you’ll be part of our life-changing mission and vision. You’ll contribute to an innovative, multifaceted culture that is second to none — one that embraces collaboration, excellence, discovery and compassion. You’ll play a role in something that’s never been done before as we integrate science and clinical care to help patients achieve better, faster outcomes — as we Advance Human Ability, together.

Job Description Summary

Advanced Practice Providers (APPs) consist of Physician Assistant (PAs) and Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs). APRNs may practice in the role of Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) or Nurse Practitioner (NP). Please refer to the Clinical Nurse Specialist job description. The Cancer Rehabilitation Program Advanced Practice Provider (APP), including Nurse Practitioners (NPs) or Physician Assistants (PAs), will be an integral member of the Cancer Rehabilitation Program at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, providing and coordinating rehabilitation care for individuals with cancer across the continuum of diagnosis, treatment, survivorship, and advanced disease.


The APP works collaboratively with Cancer Rehabilitation physicians and interdisciplinary teams to support the continued development and expansion of comprehensive, innovative Cancer Rehabilitation services across Shirley Ryan AbilityLab and in collaboration with affiliated oncology programs and healthcare partners.

The APP performs assessments, develops treatment plans, provides treatment and other procedures specifically delineated, and collaborates with the Cancer Rehabilitation physician for treatment. The Advanced Practice Provider consistently demonstrates support of the SRAlab statement of Mission and Philosophy by striving for excellence, contributing to the team efforts and showing respect and compassion for patients and their families, fellow employees, and all others with whom there is contact at or in the interest of the institute. The Advanced Practice Provider demonstrates SRAlab Core Attributes: Communication, Accountability, Flexibility/Adaptability, Judgment/Problem Solving, Customer Service and SRAlab Values (Hope, Compassion, Discovery, Collaboration, & Commitment to Excellence) while fulfilling job duties.

Job Description

The Advanced Practice Provider will:

• Elicit a history and physical examination, assisting the attending physician in establishing a diagnosis, implementing interventions, prescribing medications, therapies and diagnostic tests, and evaluating patient responses to therapies under the direction of a physician.
• Assess patients using physically and technologically derived data, including the evaluation of diagnostic test results, and document results in the patient record.
• Assemble a medical database that includes health history, history of chief complaint, and physical examination of selected patients, documenting the findings in the patient record.
• Assist physician with ordering medical consultations, therapies, and interventions including, medications, diagnostic tests, respiratory care, nutrition, and fluid and electrolyte support. 
• Perform and document diagnostic and therapeutic procedures based on the needs of the specific patient population as determined collaboratively with the physician and as approved by the Credentialing Committee. 
• Evaluate patient responses to disease processes and therapeutic interventions, and determine the effectiveness of care and the need to alter the plan of care.
• Present selected patients’ assessment, diagnosis, and plan of care during medical rounds.
• Lead or participate in patient team conferences and family/team meetings, documenting the discussion in the patient record, and communicating the outcome to the interdisciplinary team.
• Provide information and support to patient and families, facilitating communication between patient and members of the health care team.
• Collaborate with the nurses, nursing supervisors, therapists and manager to implement and evaluate holistic patient care delivery.
• Perform all other duties that may be assigned in the best interest of the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab.
• Works on-call shifts for the practice, as assigned and/or approved by the Medical Director.

In addition an APP must:

• Maintain all appropriate licensure and certification.
• Successfully obtain and maintain level promoted APP level as appropriate of the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab APP Professional Advancement Program (APP-PAP). Please refer to APP-PAP handbook for further details.

Cancer Rehabilitation Program APP job specific responsibilities:

• Provide specialized clinical care for individuals with cancer across inpatient rehabilitation, outpatient, and acute-care consultation settings, consistent with scope of practice, clinical privileges, and the needs of the Cancer Rehabilitation Program.
• In collaboration with Cancer Rehabilitation physicians, evaluate and manage functional impairments, symptoms, and rehabilitation needs associated with cancer and its treatments, including surgery, systemic therapies, radiation therapy, transplantation, and emerging cancer treatments.
• Participate in the longitudinal management of patients throughout the cancer care continuum, including prehabilitation, active cancer treatment, post-treatment rehabilitation, survivorship, and advanced or palliative cancer care.
• Collaborate closely with physicians, therapists, nursing, oncology teams, surgical teams, radiation oncology, palliative care, and other disciplines to facilitate coordinated, patient-centered rehabilitation care.
• Facilitate communication and coordination between Cancer Rehabilitation and referring oncology teams to support timely identification, referral, evaluation, and management of patients with rehabilitation needs.
• Provide patient and family education regarding functional recovery, symptom management, rehabilitation interventions, exercise and activity recommendations, and available supportive resources.

Clinical Program Development and Growth

• Partner with Cancer Rehabilitation physician leadership and other clinical and administrative leaders in the development, implementation, and expansion of innovative Cancer Rehabilitation clinical programs and models of care.
• Assist in developing and implementing standardized clinical pathways, protocols, screening processes, referral mechanisms, and care coordination strategies to integrate rehabilitation more effectively throughout cancer care.
• Contribute to the development and expansion of programs in areas such as cancer prehabilitation, rehabilitation during active treatment, survivorship, management of treatment-related functional impairments, and rehabilitation for individuals with advanced cancer.
• Identify opportunities to improve access to Cancer Rehabilitation services and support efforts to expand appropriate patient populations, referral pathways, and clinical partnerships.
• Serve as a clinical resource for patients, families, healthcare professionals, and interdisciplinary teams regarding Cancer Rehabilitation and the management of cancer-related functional impairments.

Outcomes, Quality, and Program Performance

• Participate in the development, collection, assessment, and ongoing evaluation of patient-centered clinical and functional outcomes for the Cancer Rehabilitation Program.
• Support systematic collection and analysis of clinical outcomes, patient-reported outcomes, quality measures, and other data used to evaluate the effectiveness of Cancer Rehabilitation interventions and programs.
• Partner with Cancer Rehabilitation physician leadership and administrative teams to evaluate quality, access, utilization, operational, and financial measures relevant to the Cancer Rehabilitation Program and Shirley Ryan AbilityLab.
• Participate in quality improvement initiatives designed to improve patient outcomes, patient experience, clinical efficiency, access to care, and coordination across the cancer care continuum.
• Utilize clinical and programmatic data to identify opportunities for improvement and contribute to demonstrating the quality, effectiveness, and value of Cancer Rehabilitation services.

Research, Innovation, and Advancement of the Field

• Collaborate with Cancer Rehabilitation physicians, research investigators, research teams, and institutional leadership to support clinical research and innovation in Cancer Rehabilitation.
• Participate in clinical research activities, including identification and recruitment of appropriate patients, implementation of research protocols, collection of clinical and patient-reported outcomes, and other activities consistent with the APP's role and scope of practice.
• Support the integration of research and emerging evidence into clinical practice and participate in the evaluation of innovative models of Cancer Rehabilitation care.
• Contribute to scholarly activities, including quality improvement projects, abstracts, presentations, publications, and dissemination of clinical and programmatic outcomes.
• Partner with clinical and research leadership in efforts to advance the evidence base and field of Cancer Rehabilitation and position Shirley Ryan AbilityLab as a leader in innovative rehabilitation care for individuals with cancer.

Education and Professional Development

• Participate in the education of APPs, residents, fellows, medical students, nursing staff, therapists, and other healthcare professionals regarding Cancer Rehabilitation.
• Contribute to the development and delivery of internal and external Cancer Rehabilitation educational programs, clinical competencies, conferences, and other educational initiatives.
• Maintain and expand clinical expertise in Cancer Rehabilitation through continuing education, professional development, scholarly activity, and participation in relevant professional organizations.

Reporting Relationships:

• Reports directly to the Chief Medical Officer or Medical Director.
• Reports to designated Physician for clinical supervision. 

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required:

• Master’s Degree from an approved APRN or Physician Assistant program.
• Certification by the American Nurses Credentialing Center as a Nurse Practitioner or Clinical Nurse Specialist or Certification by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants.
• Minimum 2-3 years of prior experience in oncology, cancer rehabilitation, physical medicine and rehabilitation, or the care of medically complex patients preferred
• Demonstrated interest in developing expertise in Cancer Rehabilitation and caring for individuals throughout the cancer care continuum.

• Interest or experience in clinical program development, quality improvement, patient outcomes assessment, and implementation of innovative models of care.
• Strong interdisciplinary and care-coordination skills and an interest in developing collaborative relationships across rehabilitation and oncology teams.
• Interest in clinical research, outcomes assessment, education, and scholarly activities related to Cancer Rehabilitation.
• Ability and interest in contributing to the growth, quality, innovation, and long-term sustainability of the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab Cancer Rehabilitation Program.

• Licensure as a registered nurse (RN) and Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) in the State of Illinois or Licensure as a Physician Assistant (PA) in the State of Illinois.
• Professional experience that meets the minimum requirement for APP-PAP. Further experience as outlined in APP-PAP handbook.
• Interpersonal skills necessary to communicate effectively with patients, patient families, referring parties, Institute executives and treatment team members.
• Ability to demonstrate sound medical knowledge and leadership.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) required. Advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) certificate preferred.

Working Conditions:

• Normal patient care environment with little or no exposure to dust or extreme temperature.
• Exposure to moderately adverse working conditions in performing certain patient care activities.
• Occasional exposure to infectious diseases when working with patients.

Pay and Benefits*:

Pay Range:

$95,500.00 - $158,600.00

 

Benefits:

Shirley Ryan AbilityLab offers a comprehensive benefits program that is competitive with our industry peers in our geographic locations: https://www.sralab.org/benefits

*Benefits and benefits’ eligibility can vary by position. Actual compensation will be determined by equity and qualifications of the role.

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

Shirley Ryan AbilityLab is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. All applicants will be afforded equal employment opportunity without discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, marital status, national origin or ancestry, citizenship status, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military status, order of protection status, unfavorable discharge from military service, or any other characteristics protected by law.

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Shirley Ryan AbilityLab is an Affirmative Action Employer as required by law.