Clinical APP Associate, Neurosurgery

Department Overview

As Oregon’s only academic health center, OHSU integrates education, research, patient care, and community service to improve the well-being of Oregonians. The Department of Neurological Surgery delivers comprehensive care for patients with brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerve conditions at OHSU and Doernbecher Children’s Hospital. Our surgeons combine deep expertise with advanced technology and a patient-centered approach.

The department is nationally recognized for pioneering innovations, including North America's first deep brain stimulation surgery and the world’s first neuronal stem cell transplants. We house leading neurosurgical training programs and advanced fellowships and contribute significant research on pain perception and cerebral blood flow.

The Department of Neurological Surgery in the OHSU School of Medicine is a safe, respectful and welcoming place for people of all races, cultures, ethnicities, genders, national origins, abilities, ages, colors, religions, and sexual orientations. We are committed to creating a respectful, inclusive, and equitable work environment. Diversity is a core value, and all members participate in ongoing education and initiatives to support equity and inclusion within OHSU and the communities we serve.

The Advanced Practice Provider (APP) is a practitioner certified through the Oregon State Board of Nursing (NP) and authorized to practice within the parameters described in Division 50 of the Oregon Nurse Practice Act (Oregon Revised Statute Chapter 678) or is a Physician Assistant licensed to practice by the Oregon Medical Board (PA). The APP is credentialed by the Credentials Committee and approved by the Professional Board of OHSU and other locations as required to practice in the hospital setting and to perform such procedures as authorized by the Credentials Committee and by the Professional Board. The APP is authorized to prescribe medications according to the state and federal guidelines and laws.

This faculty position specializes in caring for adult patients with neurological disorders and is primarily responsible for inpatient clinical care as well as other clinical operations within the Department of Neurological Surgery. The role involves independent patient care, procedural work, care coordination and administrative tasks, and educational contributions. The APP collaborates closely with faculty physicians, APP colleagues, and others in the interdisciplinary team to ensure the highest standards of patient care and service.

The APP will support OHSU’s missions including teaching, research, patient care, outreach, and public service.

Function/Duties of Position

Clinical Care

• Primarily in an inpatient environment that provides 7-day/week clinical coverage, provide comprehensive care for neurosurgery patients from admission to discharge. 
• Perform daily rounding with faculty and develop/implement patient care plans and protocols.
• Perform neurosurgical procedures according to protocol and competency training.
• Perform administrative patient care for patients who recently discharged and collaborate with outpatient teams members to prepare patients for next steps in their care. Respond promptly to patient/family inquiries (phone, MyChart), collaborating with team members such as nurses, APPs and physicians to resolve clinical concerns.
• Identify urgent clinical situations and respond autonomously and effectively, including providing situational resuscitation and emergency treatment.
• Provide scheduled weekend hospital coverage including rounds, patient discharges, and continuity of care duties according to department protocol and rotating assignments.

Care Coordination & Communication

• Coordinate with interdisciplinary teams, including outpatient staff and other APPs, to ensure streamlined, patient-centered care.
• Collaborate with surgeons, physicians, and external providers to optimize patient outcomes.
• Triage patient calls, messages, and requests and determine the appropriate plan of care for recently discharged patients.
• Educate house staff and clinic medical teams on care plans and best practices to improve patient outcomes.

Patient and Family Education

• Contribute to patient and family education, including development and presentation of educational materials. Provide condition-specific education and counseling to patients and families.
• Use available educational materials and resources to promote patient understanding and self-management.

Program Development, Teaching & Quality Improvement

• Engage in continuous process improvement, adhering to OHSU policies, service standards, and regulatory guidelines.
• Participate in quality improvement initiatives, program development, and staff development activities.
• Teach neurosurgical principles, procedures, and patient care to medical students, house staff, nurses, and support staff.
• Contribute to hospital accreditation efforts and maintain knowledge of compliance standards.
• Actively support OHSU’s diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.

Additional Responsibilities

• Provide exceptional service to patients, families, faculty, staff, and referring providers.
• Demonstrate excellent communication and problem-solving skills to support timely, efficient, and high-quality care.
• Serve as a resource within the department and community regarding neurosurgical care.
• Represent the department in quality, safety, and accreditation activities.
• Maintain flexibility to meet internal service needs, including coverage and cross-functional teamwork. Provide occasional coverage across neuroscience units within OHSU. 
• Actively participate in department meetings, training, and process improvement initiatives.
• Maintain confidentiality and comply with OHSU and healthcare industry service standards.
• Demonstrate a strong commitment to teamwork, patient-centered care, and continuous learning.

Required Qualifications

• Deliver high-quality customer service to patients, families, faculty, staff, referring providers, and other stakeholders.

• Collaborate with department leaders to uphold service standards, policies, and regulations, ensuring patient care excellence.

• Exhibit strong interpersonal and communication skills, excelling in a dynamic, team-oriented environment.

• Demonstrate clinical experience with the ability to perform comprehensive history and physical examinations.

• Strong multi-tasking, prioritization, and organizational skills.

• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and customer service skills.

• Proven ability to function effectively and problem-solve as a team member in a complex healthcare environment.

• Ability to manage complex patient care, prioritize tasks, and work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team.

• Clinical experience as an APP.

For Physician Associate (PA) Candidates:

• Current Oregon licensure through the Oregon Medical Board.
• Current active Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) registration and prescriptive authority. OHSU is a DEA fee-exempt institution.
• Current National Commission on Certification of Physician Associates (NCCPA) certification.

For Nurse Practitioner (NP) Candidates:

• Current Oregon licensure through the Oregon State Board of Nursing.
• Authorized practice within Division 50 of the Oregon Nurse Practice Act (ORS Chapter 678).
• Current active Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) registration and prescriptive authority. OHSU is a DEA fee-exempt institution.
• Acute Care NP certification required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Neurosurgical or surgical specialty experience.

• Skilled in conducting comprehensive history and physical examinations.

• Experience in an acute care or hospitalist setting.

Additional Details

Schedule: The inpatient unit is a 7-day/week operation. APP schedules include four 10-hour days in a standard work week, plus weekend coverage on scheduled rotation, with occasional additional evening/weekend coverage as needed. Schedules and rotations are determined by department policy and protocols.

Why apply to OHSU?

We are Oregon's only public academic health center. In addition to caring for patients, we lead groundbreaking research. We also train the next generation of health care professionals. As Portland's largest employer, we give you opportunities to learn and advance in a system of hospitals and clinics across Oregon and Southwest Washington.

All are welcome. OHSU welcomes people of all ages, ethnicities, genders, national origins, religions and sexual orientations. We are striving to build an anti-racist, multicultural institution and encourage people with diverse backgrounds to apply. To request reasonable accommodation, contact [email protected]