About this role
Columbia University (Staff Jobs)
Position Summary
The Department of Neurological Surgery is seeking an experienced outpatient Nurse Practitioner to provide comprehensive clinical care and clinical support for pediatric neurosurgery patients in collaboration with attending neurosurgeons. The Nurse Practitioner will evaluate and manage pediatric patients with neurological conditions requiring neurosurgical care. The Nurse Practitioner will provide clinical assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, patient and family education, care coordination, perioperative management, and follow-up care. The role requires collaboration with pediatric specialists, inpatient teams, clinical staff, and other multidisciplinary providers to ensure safe, timely, and coordinated care for pediatric patients and their families.
Responsibilities
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
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Perform and document comprehensive medical histories and physical examinations to formulate diagnoses and individualized treatment plans.
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Evaluate and manage pediatric patients with neurosurgical conditions, including congenital, developmental, traumatic, vascular, tumor-related, hydrocephalus, spinal, and other neurological conditions requiring neurosurgical evaluation and management.
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Assess pediatric patients with new, recurrent, or changing neurological symptoms and determine appropriate diagnostic evaluation, treatment, follow-up, and escalation of care.
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Provide age-appropriate clinical assessment while considering the developmental status, communication needs, and unique needs of pediatric patients.
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Order, review, and interpret appropriate laboratory tests, diagnostic studies, and imaging in collaboration with the attending neurosurgeon.
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Review imaging and diagnostic results and communicate findings and recommended next steps to patients and parents/caregivers.
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Develop and implement treatment plans in collaboration with the attending neurosurgeon and multidisciplinary care team.
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Review preoperative medical clearance and identify clinical issues requiring optimization prior to surgery.
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Assist with preoperative and postoperative management of pediatric neurosurgical patients.
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Assist in coordination of the operative schedule and ensure patients and families understand preoperative requirements and expectations.
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Provide postoperative follow-up, including assessment of wounds, neurological status, recovery, complications, and ongoing treatment needs.
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Manage patients through in-person, telephone, and telehealth encounters, as appropriate.
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Provide clinical triage for patient and family calls, determine the urgency of concerns, and facilitate same-day or next-day evaluation when clinically indicated.
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Respond to postoperative and urgent patient/family concerns and coordinate appropriate escalation to the neurosurgeon or emergency services when necessary.
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Provide comprehensive education to pediatric patients and their parents/caregivers regarding diagnosis, treatment options, medications, surgery, postoperative care, activity restrictions, warning signs, and follow-up.
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Serve as a clinical resource for families navigating complex neurosurgical care and facilitate communication between families and the neurosurgical care team.
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Coordinate referrals and consultations with pediatric subspecialists and other multidisciplinary care team members as clinically indicated.
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Coordinate admissions and collaborate with inpatient teams during hospitalization, including daily rounds and transition of care to the outpatient setting.
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Facilitate continuity of care between outpatient, inpatient, emergency, rehabilitation, and other healthcare settings.
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Prescribe medications and make appropriate referrals within scope of practice and departmental guidelines.
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Monitor patients longitudinally and identify changes in clinical condition that require reassessment or intervention.
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Participate in the management and follow-up of pediatric patients with chronic or complex neurosurgical conditions.
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Support coordination of multidisciplinary care for pediatric patients requiring services across multiple specialties.
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Participate in division-specific clinical conferences, including weekly NP conferences, departmental grand rounds, multidisciplinary meetings, and other educational activities.
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Participate in clinical quality improvement initiatives and projects designed to improve patient access, safety, outcomes, and the overall patient and family experience.
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Participate in research protocols related to patient care in accordance with Good Clinical Practices (GCP), when applicable.
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Maintain accurate and timely clinical documentation in the electronic medical record.
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Communicate effectively with patients, parents/caregivers, providers, and members of the clinical and administrative teams.
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Perform other duties as assigned/requested.
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Minimum Qualifications
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Master’s degree in nursing or equivalent in education, training, and experience.
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Prescriptive privileges or eligibility.
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NYS RN and NP Licenses.
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Minimum of 2 - 4 years of nursing experience required.
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Preferred Qualifications
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Nurse Practitioner experience in pediatric neurosurgery, pediatric neurology, pediatrics, or a related specialty.
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Experience managing pediatric patients with complex neurological or neurosurgical conditions.
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Experience providing care to pediatric patients and supporting families through complex medical and surgical care.
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Experience with pediatric patient and family education and care coordination.
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Experience in an academic medical center or multidisciplinary healthcare environment.
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Strong clinical assessment, communication, organization, and care coordination skills.
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Experience with clinical research, quality improvement, or evidence-based practice.
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Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with physicians, advanced practice providers, nurses, clinical staff, and multidisciplinary teams.
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Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran
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Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.