The Springfield Clinic Advanced Practice Provider (APP) functions as a healthcare provider who, working collaboratively with a physician(s), is responsible for providing comprehensive care to both well and ill patients. Some specialties may require a dual role of outpatient and inpatient setting. He/she demonstrates a high degree of clinical expertise in working with patients with acute and chronic illnesses. He/she is responsible for assessment, diagnosis, treatment, management, education, health promotion and care coordination for patients and families with acute and chronic health needs. The APP demonstrates an advanced level of medical/nursing clinical knowledge, communication and interdisciplinary collaboration, professionalism and systems-based practice. He/she works with administrative, nursing, physician, and hospital faculty to assure safe, effective, quality patient care and to promote Springfield Clinic’s educational and healthcare missions.

In positions requiring hospital based care, the APP is eligible to begin practice after he/she is credentialed and privileged by those facilities and the Medical Staff office. Active hospital privileges will be required and reviewed every two years to maintain employment.

All other APPs are eligible to begin practice after he/she is credentialed and privileged by Springfield Clinic with renewal every two years in order to maintain employment within their specialty.

Job Relationships

• Reports directly to the Operations Manager.

Principal Responsibilities

• Clinical Knowledge

• Demonstrates knowledge of etiologies, risk factors, pathophysiology, presentation and epidemiology of medical conditions.

• Performs history and physical assessments of patients that are accurate, complete, concise, relevant and appropriate for age, gender and clinical problem.

• Orders appropriate diagnostic studies and correctly interprets the results.

• Utilizes critical thinking to synthesize and analyze collected data.

• Develops, implements, evaluates and alters the plan of care as needed.

• Manages general medical and surgical conditions based on knowledge of the indications, contraindications, side effects, interactions and adverse reactions of pharmacologic agents and other relevant treatment modalities.

• Counsels and educates patients and families.

• Demonstrates proficiency in procedural skills pertinent to practice area.

• Maintains accurate, complete, concise and timely documentation in the electronic medical record.

• Patient Care

• Provides care that is patient and family centered, compassionate, appropriate and effective for the promotion of health, prevention of illness and treatment of disease throughout the lifespan.

• Facilitates consistent, coordinated care and clear communication among all members of the healthcare team.

• Incorporates the patient and family in care planning and treatment across settings.

• Serves as an advocate for patients and families in navigating the health care system.

• Practice Based Learning and Clinical Improvement

• Demonstrates insight into own strengths, limitations and knowledge deficits.

• Demonstrates initiative to meet identified learning needs using multiple resources.

• Actively participates in self-evaluation by seeking and utilizing guidance and constructive feedback in a professional manner.

• Continuously seeks opportunities for clinical advancement and knowledge and skill attainment.

• Participates in research opportunities to advance the care and treatment of patients within your specialty.

• Communication and Interdisciplinary Collaboration

• Communicates and collaborates effectively with physicians, other health professionals and health related agencies.

• Works effectively with multidisciplinary team members.

• Promotes mutual respect and trust working within a team model.

• Communicates effectively with patients and families, incorporating gender, age, culture, race, religion, disabilities and sexual orientation.

• Professionalism

• Follows ethical principles regarding patient confidentiality, informed consent and unanticipated adverse outcomes.

• Maintains current knowledge of changing standards, procedures and specialty care practices

• Fulfills all ethical and professional responsibilities of profession

• Provides care within his/her scope of practice as outlined by applicable state law, licensing, regulations, and institutional policy and practice agreements.

Education/Experience

• Graduate from an accredited Physician Assistant or Advanced Practice Registered Nurse program.

• For critical care/trauma departments: Graduate from an accredited Physician Assistant or Acute Care Advanced Practice Registered Nurse program.

• Three favorable letters of reference.

Licenses/Certificates

• Licensed in the State of Illinois as a Physician Assistant or Advanced Practice Registered Nurse.

• Current CPR certification per American Heart Association guidelines.

• For critical care/trauma departments: Current ACLS certification. Fundamental Critical Care Support certification required within one year of employment.

Working Environment

• May be required to lift.

• Functions indoors in an office setting.

• Frequent exposure to communicable diseases and toxic substances.