APP, Palliative Care

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.

We are excited to present an opportunity for a nurse practitioner or physician assistant to join a large, successful outpatient palliative care program within community oncology in middle Tennessee. 

This will be a wonderful fit for you if you 

* Are looking for a fulfilling and meaningful career

* Love to take your time in patient interactions and develop relationships with patients and caregivers

* Want to make a significant impact on an individual's cancer journey by improving their quality of life and emotional experience

* Enjoy telehealth (providing clinical management through audio or audiovisual platforms without in-person interaction)

* Enjoy autonomy as an APP with easy access to a mentoring physician

* Enjoy collaborating with medical and radiation oncology clinicians

* Like to be a part of a practice environment where everyone from referring providers to clinical staff are tremendously grateful for the work you do

* Love to be at the forefront of clinical innovation in palliative care and cancer care

* Seek to be a part of a practice that cares for medically underserved communities and cares to improve their access to and quality of cancer care

We are open to new APP graduates with previous clinical experience in Oncology, Hospice and Palliative Care, or Intensive Care, and are willing to support an internship leading to a full-time position.

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.
• Relays appropriate information regarding patient care to the collaborating physician.
• Communicates care plans to patients, caregivers, and other members of the health care team.
• Writes prescriptions for medication, 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 care for patients participating in clinical trials.
• Evaluates the quality of care provided and recommends changes for improvement.
• Responding to patient/family phone calls.
• Contacting supervising physician for appropriate back-up as needed.

• Maintains current certification in Basic Life Support for the healthcare provider.
• Other duties as requested by the supervising MD.

II) Teaching

• Educates patients and families on treatment plan proposed.
• Utilizes a variety of age and cultural 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.
• Participates in the development of educational materials for patients and healthcare providers.
• Presents updates in palliative 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.
• 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 meetings and shares information with APP group.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• Current knowledge of oncology and primary care.
• Ability to work independently.     
• Knowledge of Tennessee Oncology Advanced Practice Provider Guidelines.
• Knowledge of the Advanced Practice Practitioner as outlined in the Tennessee Oncology Policy and Procedure Manual. 

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

• License to practice as RN or PA in the state of Tennessee required.
• A Master’s degree in nursing or certification as a Physician Assistant required.
• National certification as APP (American Nurses' Credentialing Center or American Academy of Nurse Practitioners) or Clinical Nurse Specialist who meets criteria for certificate of fitness to prescribe medications, including AOCN, AOCNP, AOCNS or Certification by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants required
• Certification as an Advanced Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse (ACHPN) preferred.
• Minimum 1 year of Palliative care or hospice preferred

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to remain upright on the feet most of the time.
• Must be able to remain in a stationary position some of the time.
• Regular manual dexterity.
• Must be willing and able to lift up to 50 pounds.
• Occasional reaching or stretching.
• Occasional crouching or stooping.
• Ability to communicate, distinguish sounds, and visualize.