ChristianaCare is currently looking for a Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant to join our Orthopaedic Trauma Service Team (OTS) as a Clinical Physician Extender.  The selected candidate will provide initial assessment, stabilization, and subsequent evaluations as part of ongoing care in the acute inpatient hospital setting for patients requiring admission to, as well as those already admitted to the OTS. 

Other responsibilities include:

• Respond to emergent/urgent care needs for hospitalized patients within scope of practice
  • Provide first response coverage while on duty
  • Respond to trauma alerts and codes to assist in orthopaedic related patient needs
• Perform initial assessment of orthopaedic consults, report findings and implement a treatment plan with the appropriate orthopaedic attending physician, as necessary
  • Elicit a detailed health history and a perform physical examination
  • Admit patients to the service of the OTS on call physician and post patient to the appropriate level of care
  • Order and expedite any necessary diagnostic studies, initiate necessary consultations, provide preoperative risk assessment, and post patients for surgery and other procedures
• Perform orthopaedic bedside procedures as requested on admitted and emergency department/observation patients within scope of practice
  • Irrigation and debridement of open wounds
  • Application of simple and complex wound dressings and coverages
  • Reduction of fractures and dislocations
  • Application of short and long extremity splints and casts
  • Cast and splint removal
  • Application of extremity traction techniques including skin and skeletal traction
• Facilitate patient transport to the operating rooms and assist in surgery, as needed
• Perform daily assessments of all patients on the OTS
• Assist in appropriate discharge disposition of OTS patients
• Document patient encounters, both initial and subsequent visits
• Communicate effectively with the attending physician and other caregivers on the OTS team
• Participate in morning report and sign out sessions of the Trauma/Critical Care Service
• Actively participate in special projects as deemed necessary by the Chief of Orthopaedic Surgery and the Medical Director, Trauma Program
• Review and assist with the development and implementation of policies, protocols, guidelines, and procedures related to orthopaedic trauma care and systemwide initiatives as directed
• Demonstrate compliance with systemwide and departmental policies, procedures, and mandatory education requirements
• Perform assigned work safely, adhering to established department safety rules and practices; report to appropriate persons any unsafe activities, conditions, hazards, or safety violations that may cause injury to oneself, other employees, patients or visitors
• Consistently behave as a lifelong learner, applying and integrating new knowledge and skills

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

• Completion of a master's degree program as an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner or completion of a Physician Assistant program.
• Surgical or inpatient experience preferred.
• License or license eligible in the state of Delaware
• Orthopaedic trauma training or experience preferred
• ACLS required