Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant - Spine and Pain; Tamaqua

The Advanced Practitioner (Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant) is responsible for providing healthcare services to patients under the supervision of, and/or in collaboration with, the attending physician. These services include, but are not limited to, medical evaluation, treatment, counseling, and referrals. This role also involves diagnostic evaluations, therapeutic remediation, surgical assistance, and pharmaceutical prescription.

As a health care professional, the Advanced Practitioner serves as a patient advocate and participates in patient satisfaction, quality, and performance improvement initiatives.

St. Luke's Spine & Pain Associates was honored to receive the Purdue Partners Against Pain Award. The Advanced Practitioner is part of a collaborative provider team including 15 physicians and 9 APs, works autonomously with own patients, develops and manages ongoing treatment plans, oversees medication management for established pain management patients, and assesses and recommends patients for additional or alternative procedures such as physical therapy or interventional pain procedures.

• Competent in the assessment, treatment, counseling, and education of patients and their families, providing medical services.
• Competent in evaluating patients and performing physical examinations, including obtaining, studying, and updating medical histories.
• Demonstrates ability to determine abnormal conditions by administering or ordering diagnostic tests, such as radiologic and laboratory studies, and accurately interpreting results.
• Evaluates, develops, and implements appropriate patient management and treatment plans based on assessment of needs.
• Coordinates and communicates patient care effectively with other healthcare professionals and institutions to meet patients’ healthcare needs.
• Provides high quality health care, based on best practice and/or evidence-based medicine.
• Performs therapeutic and diagnostic procedures, as appropriate, and aligned with granted clinical privileges.
• Conducts virtual care services as requested via St. Luke's virtual care platform.
• Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops, reviewing professional publications, establishing personal networks, and participating in professional societies; maintains required continuing medical education.
• Participates in the research, development, implementation, and tracking of clinical management guidelines.
• Participates in teaching multidisciplinary students and physician residents & fellows, ensuring a positive educational environment.
• Participates in AP student clinical rotation preceptorship when assigned.
• Demonstrates performance improvement in clinical care/outcomes, customer/service improvement, operational system/process, and safety.
• Competent in utilizing electronic medical record, remains current with medical record documentation, and provides documentation that is optimal for billing professional services.
• Demonstrates financial responsibility and accountability through effective use of resources in daily procedures, processes, and practices.
• Performs routine health maintenance activities for new and established patients.
• Coordinates patient care and family counseling with public and mental health agencies as appropriate.
• Teaches wellness habits and educates patients on prevention of potential health problems or methods of dealing with present problems; provides information and materials related to patient health care needs.
• Provides occupational health services in the urgent care setting, including but not limited to pre‑employment physicals, injury care, and work‑comp cases/follow‑ups.

Sit up to 8 hours per day (3 hours at a time). Stand for up to 8 hours per day (8 hours at a time). Walk for up to 6 hours per day. Frequently lift, carry and push objects up to 10 pounds. Rarely lift, carry and push objects up to 75 pounds. Frequently stoop and bend. Frequently reach above shoulder level.

Frequently handle, firm grasp, and twist & turn as it relates to performing procedures. Must be able to perceive attributes of an object through touch. Must be able to hear as it relates to normal conversation, high and low frequencies. Must be able to see as it relates to general, near, far, color and peripheral vision. Must be able to speak as it relates to normal conversation and projection as it relates to lectures and presentations.

Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner or Medical Physician Assistant with current license to practice in the state of Pennsylvania or New Jersey, as determined by the job location. Physician Assistants must also have a current certification through the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA).

St. Luke's University Health Network is an Equal Opportunity Employer.