Advanced Practice Provider; NP​/PA

Position Summary

The Advanced Practice Provider (NP/PA) will provide daily medical management and care of cancer patients in the Department of Radiation Oncology at Columbia University Medical Center in collaboration with the Chair of the Department of Radiation Oncology or other designated physicians. Assists in ordering and coordinating work-up and diagnostic procedures, patient education regarding their disease process and treatment, triaging patients and patient issues, and treatment-related symptom management.

Provides for the psychosocial management of patients and families and coordinates care management with nursing staff. Serves as informational resources to patients, families, and other physicians and makes appropriate referrals. These functions are performed in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations and New York Presbyterian Columbia University Irving Medical Center's philosophy, policies, procedures, and.

The role involves carrying out a range of functions and technical procedures to facilitate patient admission, assessment, diagnosis, treatment, follow-up, and outcome evaluation. Additionally, active participation in performance improvement initiatives, research endeavors, and educational activities is expected.

• Elicits records and interprets a complete health history to include all past medical, family and psychosocial aspects. Performs complete physical examination and distinguishes between normal and abnormal findings.
• Orders, interprets, and evaluates diagnostic tests and procedures to identify and assess patient's clinical problems and health status.
• Orders and adjusts medications per written protocol or in consultation with a physician.
• Assists in diagnostic and therapeutic procedures as necessary for appropriate care of the patient.
• Provides education to patient and family on radiation care plan and potential toxicity.
• Evaluates patient in weekly assessments during their radiation treatment; evaluating for and managing any toxicity.
• Formulates, implements and provides for the follow-up of a plan of care for patients, based on history, physical examination, appropriate laboratory evaluation and diagnostic procedures.
• Collaborates with attending physicians, social workers, nursing staff and other members of the health care team, community agencies, home care, local providers and schools.
• Works in conjunction with the nursing staff to meet the needs of patients identified in the nursing care plan, including meeting the emotional needs of the patient and family, providing patient family education and planning for home care, and coordinating any necessary aspect of patient management.
• Collaborates with attending physicians and multidisciplinary teams establishing new programs and treatment modalities; i.e. Survivorship, urgent care oncology clinics, patient educational seminars and conferences, palliative care.
• Acts as an educational resource for the nursing staff in regards, to the care of patients.
• Maintains clinical competency in medical and nursing care of patients and stays informed of current trends and developments in nursing practice.
• Provides continuity of care through all stages of illness - diagnosis, treatment, relapse, and terminal care, as well as continued health maintenance and observation for potential late effects of therapy.
• Plans and participates in the orientation of new Nurse Practitioners, Physicians Assistants, nursing staff, fellows, residents, medical students, and nursing students.
• Plans and participates in Department research/investigation with the opportunity to collaborate on investigator-initiated trials.
• Plans or participates in the development of educational material for patients, families, and professionals.
• Participates in daily medical rounds, tumor boards, and chart rounds with the Radiation Oncology team.
• Serves as information resource to patients and their families to provide instruction regarding diagnosis, treatment, methods, and objectives.
• Triages outpatient telephone assessments, interprets and records data and consults or reports information to medical provider to determine plan of care and appropriate follow-up.