Lead APP - Acute Care Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant - Neurosurgery, Full-time, Days

At Northwestern Medicine, every patient interaction makes a difference in cultivating a positive workplace. This patient-first approach is what sets us apart as a leader in the healthcare industry. As an integral part of our team, you'll have the opportunity to join our quest for better health care, no matter where you work within the Northwestern Medicine system. We pride ourselves on providing competitive benefits: from tuition reimbursement and loan forgiveness to 401(k) matching and lifecycle benefits, our goal is to take care of our employees. Ready to join our quest for better?

Northwestern Medicine has an exciting opportunity for either an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner or a Physician Assistant to work in our Neurosurgery department. The APP will be working a combination of outpatient (~75%) and inpatient (~25%). The Lead APP in collaboration with other health professionals, provides high quality, cost effective advanced patient care, and influences health care decision-making through expert clinical reasoning. This role also coordinates the training and onboarding of new Advanced Practice Providers (APPs) withing the program, and facilitates professional development opportunities for thos APPs. The Lead APP is an advocate and voice for the APP staff at leadership forums, and works closely with leadership within the practice to provide input into APP performance, evaluation, and competency.   

Schedule: Onboarding and orientation will be five 8-hour shifts for 8-12 weeks. Once orientation is officially completed, then the opportunity for 4 x 10-hour shifts is an option.

• no nights/weekends/holiday/on-call

The APP - Lead reflects the mission, vision, and values of NM, adheres to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines, and all other regulatory and accreditation standards.

The Advanced Practice Registered Nurse - Lead in collaboration with other health professionals, provides high quality, cost effective advanced patient care to patients, manages health care systems and influences health care decision-making through expert clinical reasoning, research, and theory-based practice. This role supports department growth and development of APP models of care, coordinates the training and onboarding of new Advanced Practice Providers (APPs) within a department, and facilitates professional development opportunities for those APPs.  The Lead APP is an advocate and voice for the APP staff at leadership forums and works collaboratively with leadership within the department to provide input into APP performance, evaluations, and competency.

Responsibilities:

• Clinical: Provides direct care to patients demonstrating clinical expertise and advanced knowledge. This role performs duties listed in the APP job description
• Education: Develops and coordinates APP training and professional development activities; coaches, trains, and mentors APPs in the department, in partnership with collaborating physicians and leadership.
• Leadership: Collaborates with department leadership and collaborating physicians to provide input on APP performance, competency, and annual evaluations. Serves as liaison for APPs with clinical department leadership and NM APP leadership, attending APP leadership committees and/or councils as appropriate.
• Quality/Research: In collaboration with department leadership, plays a pivotal role in positively impacting quality performance metrics and enhancing patient access. The APP lead involvement spans department-specific and system-wide quality initiatives and includes participating in clinical trials and research projects as appropriate within the NM system. 
• Demonstrates clinical expertise and expanded knowledge through patient care activities which may include diagnosis and management of a wide range of health problems.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills, including the ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with patients, physicians, management, staff, and other customers.
• Demonstrated customer service skills, including the ability to use appropriate judgment, independent thinking and creativity when resolving customer issues.
• Ability to effectively handle challenging situations.
• Ability to balance multiple priorities.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated leadership skills.
• Ability to coordinate others to work toward common goals.
• Ability to use personal computers and select software applications.
• Ability to analyze data for decision making purposes.
• Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Office, Outlook, and database entry.
• Ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality.
• Ability to adapt to changes in work environment, delays, or unexpected events.
• Demonstrates attention to detail and monitors own work for accuracy.
• Exemplifies excellence in patient-centered care, delivering comprehensive, safe and effective treatment rooted in advanced clinical expertise.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills, including the ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with patients, physicians, leadership, staff and other customers.
• Strong leadership, team building and decision-making capabilities.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and organizational skills.
• Demonstrates reliability and maintains confidentiality.
• Demonstrates stellar professionalism and resilience in managing complex and challenging situations.
• Ability to use personal computers and select software applications.
• Ability to analyze data for decision making purposes.
• Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Office, Outlook, and database entry.

Required:

• Master’s degree from an accredited school/college of nursing OR master's degree from an accredited Physician Assistant Program  
• Acute care certification required for APRNs
• Current license as a Registered Nurse in the State of Illinois. Current license as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse in the State of Illinois. Certification as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse by a national certifying body as approved by the Illinois Department of Regulation APRN Board. Once licensed may apply for a controlled substance license and DEA number OR Master’s degree from an accredited Physician Assistant Program/Current license as a Physician Assistant in the State of Illinois.  Once licensed may apply for a controlled substance license and DEA number
• Privileged and credentialed through the Medical Staff Office (MSO)
• Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation – BLS, issued by the American Heart Association 
• Minimum of 5 years of APP experience preferably in a surgical, neurosciences, critical care, or other complex specialty environment.

Preferred:

• Supervisory/leadership experience

Northwestern Medicine is an equal opportunity employer (disability, VETS) and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status.

Background Check

Northwestern Medicine conducts a background check that includes criminal history on newly hired team members and, at times, internal transfers. If you are offered a position with us, you will be required to complete an authorization and disclosure form that gives Northwestern Medicine permission to run the background check.  Results are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and we follow all local, state, and federal laws, including the Illinois Health Care Worker Background Check Act.

Artificial Intelligence Disclosure

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position, however, all employment decisions will be made by a person. 

Benefits

We offer a wide range of benefits that provide employees with tools and resources to improve their physical, emotional, and financial well-being while providing protection for unexpected life events. Please visit our Benefits section to learn more.

Sign-on Bonus Eligibility (if sign-on bonus offered for position): Internal employees and rehires who left Northwestern Medicine within 1 year are not eligible for the sign on bonus. Exception: New graduate internal employees seeking their first licensed clinical position at NM may be eligible depending upon the job family.