Neurosurgical PA or NP

General Duties and Responsibilities

• Performs comprehensive and problem-focused histories and physical examinations
• Interprets laboratory and diagnostic tests
• Interprets and correlates subjective and objective data
• Formulates a differential diagnosis and establishes a working diagnosis
• Develops a treatment plan for neurosurgical conditions within the scope of practice and in conjunction with the neurosurgeon
• Implements therapeutic intervention for specific conditions where appropriate
• Exercise judgment on conditions requiring consultation, referral or evaluation by the supervising neurosurgeon or other healthcare professionals

• Conducts hospital rounds on a daily basis of all patients including intensive care units
• Writes orders and progress notes
• Performs all admission history and physicals
• Orders appropriate laboratory and radiographic tests, such as MRIs, myelograms, bone scans and other radiographic studies
• Performs appropriate laboratory and diagnostic studies, such as lumbar punctures, ventriculostomies, myelograms, and placement of tong traction and halo fixation devices
• Evaluates and clarifies clinical conditions
• Formulates and implements treatment and therapeutic plans for hospitalized patients
• Handles discharge planning and dictates discharge summaries

• Sees new and follow-up office patients and completes a thorough history and physical examination that is problem-oriented for neurosurgical conditions
• Presents the patient to attending neurosurgeons
• Helps to formulate treatment plans
• Orders appropriate radiographic studies
• Performs office procedures such as local blocks
• Evaluates post-operative patients and does routine follow-up visits
• Is available to see patients requiring same-day office visits
• Returns phone calls of from patients
• Handles prescription refills
• Reviews radiographic reports and laboratory reports for abnormalities
• Reviews x-rays, MRIs and CT scans of hospitalized patients and office patients with the attending neurosurgeon
• Evaluates, screens and counsels patients on health maintenance and promotes utilization of community resources
• Designs, conducts and/or participates in research studies
• Manages databases
• Performs quality assurance

• Candidate must be a graduate of an accredited school of nursing; BSN or MSN preferred
• Position requires successful completion of an approved Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program
• Candidate must be certified and licensed in Maryland
• Physician Assistant must be a graduate of an ARC-PA approved program and must have a Physician Assistant license in Maryland
• Must have and maintain BCLS certification
• Must be able to work effectively in emergency situations and under stress; exhibit proficient leadership skills, work cooperatively and collaboratively as part of a team, and develop productive working relationships with a diverse group of people