Position SummaryUnder the direction of the supervising Physician(s) and Director of Clinical Services, the Advanced Practice Provider (APP) is responsible for providing comprehensive orthopedic patient care in the clinic, operating room, hospital, urgent care, and other designated settings. The APP collaborates with physicians and multidisciplinary team members to assess, diagnose, treat, and educate patients with musculoskeletal injuries and conditions. Responsibilities include surgical assistance, patient evaluation and management, development of treatment plans, procedural interventions, and coordination of care to promote positive clinical outcomes and an exceptional patient experience.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities- Assists physicians during surgical procedures, including preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative patient care.
- Evaluates, diagnoses, and manages patients with orthopedic and musculoskeletal conditions in accordance with established protocols and scope of practice.
- Conducts comprehensive patient histories and physical examinations.
- Triages patients prior to physician examinations and prioritizes care based on clinical urgency.
- Develops and implements treatment plans in collaboration with supervising physicians.
- Orders, reviews, and interprets diagnostic studies, including laboratory testing and imaging.
- Performs joint, soft tissue, and other musculoskeletal injections within approved privileges.
- Applies and manages casts, braces, splints, and other orthopedic devices.
- Performs fracture reductions and other orthopedic procedures as directed and credentialed.
- Sutures lacerations and manages wound care as appropriate.
- Provides postoperative follow-up care, including wound assessments, medication management, and patient education.
- Consults on patients in the emergency department, hospital, or other healthcare settings as directed.
- Writes and manages prescriptions consistent with applicable state and federal regulations.
- Orders and coordinates physical therapy, occupational therapy, durable medical equipment, and other ancillary services.
- Documents patient encounters thoroughly and accurately within the electronic medical record.
- Communicates effectively with physicians, nurses, therapists, and other healthcare professionals to ensure continuity of care.
- Participates in assigned call schedules as needed.
- Provides coverage for orthopedic urgent care clinics, walk-in clinics, outreach clinics, and community sporting events as assigned.
- Educates patients and families regarding diagnoses, treatment plans, medications, procedures, and recovery expectations.
- Maintains appropriate continuing medical education and professional licensure requirements.
- Complies with all Practice, hospital, OSHA, HIPAA, Medicare, and payer regulations.
- Participates in quality improvement, patient safety, and risk management initiatives.
Qualifications- Graduate of an accredited Physician Assistant (PA) or Nurse Practitioner (NP) program.
- Current Indiana Physician Assistant license or Indiana Advanced Practice Registered Nurse licensure, or ability to obtain prior to employment.
- Current DEA registration or ability to obtain upon hire.
- Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
- Ability to obtain and maintain hospital and ASC credentialing and privileges.
- Strong verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
- Proficiency with computers and electronic medical record systems.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities- Thorough knowledge of orthopedic anatomy, physiology, musculoskeletal conditions, fracture management, postoperative care, and orthopedic treatment protocols.
- Knowledge of applicable state and federal healthcare regulations, including HIPAA, OSHA, Medicare, and payer documentation requirements.
- Skill in performing comprehensive patient assessments, developing treatment plans, and exercising sound clinical judgment.
- Skill in assisting with orthopedic surgical procedures, fracture reductions, casting, splinting, suturing, wound care, and joint injections.
- Ability to order, interpret, and utilize diagnostic testing, including laboratory studies and imaging, to support patient care decisions.
- Proficiency in electronic medical records, clinical documentation, and prescribing systems.
- Strong verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to effectively educate patients, families, physicians, and staff.
- Strong organizational, time-management, and multitasking skills with the ability to prioritize responsibilities in a fast-paced clinical environment.
- Ability to work independently within scope of practice while collaborating effectively with physicians and interdisciplinary healthcare teams.
- Ability to maintain professionalism, confidentiality, and a high level of attention to detail.
- Ability to adapt to changing patient needs, physician schedules, and clinical priorities.
- Demonstrated commitment to patient-centered care, quality improvement, safety initiatives, and continuous professional development.
Work Environment- Work is performed in a variety of healthcare settings, including physician offices, ambulatory surgery centers, hospitals, emergency departments, and outreach clinic locations.
- Regular interaction with patients, families, physicians, nursing staff, therapists, and other healthcare professionals.
- Exposure to communicable diseases, bloodborne pathogens, bodily fluids, and other conditions common to healthcare environments.
- May require participation in evening, weekend, holiday, and on-call coverage as assigned.
- May require travel between practice locations, hospitals, surgery centers, and community events.
Physical Demands- Ability to stand and walk for extended periods, including prolonged standing during surgical procedures.
- Frequent bending, stooping, kneeling, reaching, pushing, pulling, and repetitive hand movements.
- Ability to assist with patient positioning, transfers, and mobility activities.
- Ability to lift, carry, and move equipment, supplies, or patient-related items weighing up to 25 pounds frequently and up to 50 pounds occasionally with assistance.
- Manual dexterity sufficient to perform clinical procedures, operate medical equipment, and utilize computer systems.
