What are the responsibilities and job description for the Advanced Practice Provider- Ortho/Spine Practice position at South Texas Spine and Surgical Hospital?
Position Summary
The Advanced Practice Provider (NP/PA) supports highquality, efficient orthopedic and spine care by working collaboratively with surgeons, providers, and the clinical team. This role performs patient assessments, coordinates care, manages followup needs, supports perioperative workflows, and contributes to delivering safe, evidencebased treatment. The APP plays a key role in patient access, continuity of care, and the overall patient experience across clinic, surgery, and recovery settings.
Key Responsibilities
Clinical Assessment & Patient Management
- Perform comprehensive orthopedic and spine assessments, including histories, physical exams, and documentation.
- Develop and document evidencebased treatment plans, including conservative management and surgical considerations.
- Order and interpret imaging, labs, and diagnostic studies relevant to orthospine care.
- Identify and escalate to the surgeon or care team as needed.
Surgical & Perioperative Support
- Conduct presurgical evaluations and assist with optimization planning.
- Coordinate necessary outside clearances when required (cardiac, pulmonary, PCP, etc.).
- Provide perioperative education, manage postoperative care, and support followup visits.
- Monitor recovery progress and address urgent clinical concerns.
Care Coordination & Continuity
- Ensure timely followup on diagnostics, referrals, and specialty consultations.
- Communicate clearly with patients, families, referring providers, and care team members.
- Support transitions of care, including discharge planning and coordination with therapy, imaging, or pain management.
Documentation, Compliance & Quality
- Maintain accurate, complete, and compliant medical documentation.
- Support quality initiatives and process improvements within the orthospine service line.
- Participate in policy updates, workflow enhancements, and regulatory readiness.
- Uphold all standards of safety, ethics, and confidentiality.
Team Collaboration
- Work closely with surgeons, clinical staff, imaging, therapy teams, and administrative staff.
- Participate in team huddles, case discussions, and interdisciplinary care planning.
- Provide education to staff and contribute to building strong clinical communication practices.
Qualifications
- Graduate of an accredited Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant program.
- Current Texas state licensure as an NP or PA.
- National certification as applicable (AANP/ANCC for NP; NCCPA for PA).
- BLS and ACLS required; additional certifications preferred.
- Minimum of 2 years of clinical experience preferred; orthopedic or spine experience highly valued.
- Strong communication, documentation, and clinical decisionmaking skills.
- Ability to work effectively in a fastpaced surgical and outpatient setting.
Physical & Work Environment Requirements
- Ability to sit, stand, and walk for extended periods across clinic and perioperative areas.
- Occasional lifting of 50 pounds with assistance.
- May be exposed to bodily fluids, infection risks, radiation, and surgical environments.
- Ability to work extended or irregular hours based on surgical schedules or patient needs.