Neurosciences - APP

To be part of our organization, every employee should understand and share in the YNHHS Vision, support our Mission, and live our Values. These values - integrity, patient-centered, respect, accountability, and compassion - must guide what we do, as individuals and professionals, every day.

The Physician Assistant or Nurse Practitioner is a licensed professional provider who functions in collaboration with an attending physician in a variety of practice settings at YNHHS. Provides exceptional direct diagnostic and therapeutic patient care to the highest standards of the organization as part of a multidisciplinary team. Cultivates a patient centric environment which focuses on the whole individual inclusive of physical, psychosocial, spiritual and functional needs of the patient, family, and significant others. Serves as the focal professional for the continuity of care in patient care within scope of practice standards, as well as specialty specific standards to address and resolve problems that may arise.

Position Summary

The Inpatient Neurosciences APP provides comprehensive, team-based care for hospitalized patients across Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Stroke services. This role supports high-acuity inpatient management, consultative services, perioperative (pre- and post-operative) care, and select procedures. The position is integral to expanded neurosciences service lines and will help support inpatient operations as part of the opening and growth of the Adams Neuroscience Center.

Schedule / Coverage Model

• 12-hour shifts
• Average 40 hours/week (variable based on staffing model and service needs)
• Participates in a 24/7 coverage schedule (days/nights/weekends/holidays as assigned)
• Works collaboratively within an interdisciplinary model with attending physicians, residents/fellows, nursing, therapy, pharmacy, case management, and other services

Essential Responsibilities

Inpatient Clinical Care (Neurology/Neurosurgery/Stroke)

• Manage inpatient care for a diverse neurosciences census, including acute neurologic conditions and neurosurgical patients
• Perform daily rounds, ongoing assessment, and development of diagnostic and treatment plans
• Provide inpatient management of pre-op and post-op patients, including risk stratification, optimization, monitoring for complications, and coordination of perioperative plans
• Manage post-procedure/post-operative issues (e.g., neurologic status changes, pain control, DVT prophylaxis, wound and drain considerations per protocol, mobility restrictions, nutrition, delirium prevention)

Consultative Services

• Respond to and manage inpatient consults across the hospital (e.g., altered mental status, seizures, focal deficits, headache, spine/brain pathology evaluation, post-op neurologic changes)
• Obtain focused histories, perform neurologic and/or post-operative assessments, interpret data, and document consult recommendations
• Coordinate with attending physicians to triage consult urgency and ensure timely follow-up and continuity

Stroke Care

• Participate in acute stroke workflows and inpatient stroke management in collaboration with stroke neurology, ED teams, imaging, and nursing
• Support evaluation and ongoing management of ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke patients, secondary prevention planning, and discharge readiness
• Coordinate transitions of care, including rehabilitation placement and outpatient follow-up planning

Procedures (as credentialed and trained)

• Perform procedural work consistent with privileging and service needs, which may include some combination of:
• Lumbar puncture
• Arterial/venous access, ultrasound-guided peripheral IV (if applicable)
• Wound assessment and dressing changes; staple/suture removal
• Drain management support per protocol (e.g., monitoring outputs; escalation for concerns)
• Other inpatient bedside procedures aligned with department privileges
• Ensure informed consent (when applicable), procedural documentation, and post-procedure monitoring

Care Coordination, Throughput, and Quality

• Collaborate to optimize length of stay, safe discharge planning, and timely consult completion
• Communicate effectively with patients/families and provide education on diagnoses, procedures, and care plans
• Participate in quality, safety, and process-improvement initiatives, particularly those supporting the Adams Neuroscience Center opening and ongoing growth
• Support service line protocols, order sets, evidence-based practice guidelines, and documentation standards

Documentation & Communication

• Complete accurate, timely documentation (H&Ps, progress notes, consult notes, post-op notes, discharge summaries as applicable)
• Provide thorough handoffs using standardized tools for 24/7 coverage continuity
• Escalate clinical deterioration promptly and participate in rapid response/codes as trained

Qualifications

• Graduate of an accredited Nurse Practitioner (NP) or Physician Assistant (PA) program
• Current licensure (or eligibility) as NP/PA in the state of employment
• National certification (AANP/ANCC for NP; NCCPA for PA)
• BLS / ACLS required
• Inpatient neurology, neurosurgery, stroke, ICU, or hospital medicine experience preferred; new graduates considered with strong clinical preparation and interest in neurosciences (as applicable)

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong neurologic assessment skills and comfort managing high-acuity inpatients
• Ability to independently evaluate patients, prioritize tasks, and manage multiple consults
• Excellent interdisciplinary communication and patient/family-centered approach
• Commitment to evidence-based care, safety, and continuous improvement
• Willingness to work a rotating schedule supporting 24/7 coverage

Work Environment / Physical Requirements

• Hospital-based inpatient setting with frequent walking/standing; occasional lifting/assisting patients per policy
• Exposure to infectious diseases and other inpatient hazards; use of PPE as required

What We Offer

• Opportunity to be part of a growing neurosciences program with the opening of the Adams Neuroscience Center
• Collaborative physician-APP model with strong interdisciplinary support
• Professional development opportunities (stroke education, procedure training, quality initiatives)

EEO/AA/Disability/Veteran

• 1. Clinical Care * The Physician Assistant (PA) or the Nurse Practitioner (NP) provides assessment, triage, and therapeutic management of patient/family needs throughout the disease process as an integral part of an interdisciplinary team. The NP/PA, whether the practice setting is the inpatient, ambulatory, or outpatient settings, provides optimal patient care, from diagnostic to prognostic matters. This individual works in collaboration with the attending supervising/collaborating physician(s) in accordance with state law and hospital regulations, hospital policy, protocols and clinical pathways and may provide autonomous team based care. * Obtains medical histories, performs physical examinations, reviews/orders diagnostic/therapeutic tests and radiologic results, formulates and manages patient treatment plans. The NP/PA may perform procedures, prescribe treatment and medications in accordance with institutional and state guidelines, as well as, when necessary for scope within specialty or professional competency standards. In some clinical specialties, the NP/PA may have autonomous practice managing certain patient populations. * The NP/PA may also function as first or second assistant on operative cases (as long as within position scope and job educational prerequisites are in place), using fine motor skills and manual dexterity. * Other clinical job duties may be applied in accordance with departmental and operational goals, training related to profession and practice necessitated guidelines and responsibilities, inclusive but not limited to responding to emergency situations within the YNHHS parameters
• 2. Patient Education & Psychosocial Support * The NP/PA will educate patients/families on care and recommended or available resources. In collaboration with the supervising/collaborating MD, this may be inclusive of admitting instructions, treatment plan, actual and potential side effects of treatments/medications, and discharge plan. * The NP/PA, as part of a multidisciplinary team, provides psychosocial support to patients, their family members, and significant others in a caring, ethical, and professional manner.
• 3. Information Management * The NP/PA ensures appropriate documentation within the accordance of hospital and regulatory requirements and protects information of all forms, whether computer-based, paper, film, voice, or other media from unauthorized access modification, destruction, or intentional or accidental disclosure.
• 4. Quality Management * The NP/PA is expected to demonstrate a high standard of moral and ethical behavior, professionalism, compassion, and commitment to patient care. * Ensures compliance with patient related healthcare regulatory requirements, standards and recommendations.
• 5. Professional Development * The NP/PA continuously engages in projects that maintain and advance professional competency. * The NP/PA serves as a clinical resource for new house staff and may provide service specific orientation pertinent to clinical education * Consistently demonstrates high reliability organizational behaviors through reporting safety events as well as near misses. * The NP/PA continuously engages in projects that maintain and advance professional competency. * Maintains all employee requirements determined by hospital policy. * The NP/PA may serve as a clinical preceptor for NP/PA students and other health care professionals and may serve as a mentor to pre-PA/NP candidates. * The NP/PA may collaborate on research, quality assurance and performance improvement projects, and assist with the formation of protocols that will be applied to clinical practice or further their educational and clinical expertise.

LICENSURE

Active PA Certification by the National Commission of Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA), Connecticut State Physician Assistant License, ACLS/BLS Certified, when indicated for position profile DEA License, when indicated for pediatric position profile PALS, when indicated for neonatal care NRP Certification. Additional licensure, certifications and/or continuing education credits may be required during employment based on position and area of specialty. OR Connecticut State Registered Nurse License, Connecticut State Nurse Practitioner License, Board specialty certification, as appropriate for position profile ACLS/BLS Certified, when indicated for position profile DEA License, when indicated for pediatric position profile PALS, when indicated for neonatal care NRP Certification. Additional licensure, certifications and/or continuing education credits may be required during employment based on position and area of specialty.

To learn more, please email our In-House Physician Recruiter

Nathalie Martinez at Nathalie.Martinez@YNHH.org

Websites: www.northeastmedicalgroup.org/careers www.ynhhs.org