Advanced Practice Provider (APRN or PA) - Breast Surgical Oncology

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center is a leading institution focused on cancer care, research, education, and prevention. Within the Breast Surgical Oncology service, clinicians work collaboratively to provide comprehensive care for patients across the continuum of breast cancer treatment, combining surgical expertise, patient-centered care, and multidisciplinary coordination.

The Breast Surgery Oncology Advanced Practice Provider plays a key role in supporting high-quality patient care through a hybrid practice model that includes outpatient clinic responsibilities, operating room first-assist duties, and administrative coordination. The Breast Surgery Oncology Advanced Practice Provider collaborates closely with physicians and advanced practice providers to ensure continuity of care. The Breast Surgery Oncology Advanced Practice Provider contributes to efficient clinical operations and exceptional patient experiences across multiple care settings.

The ideal candidate is a collaborative, adaptable, and patient-centered clinician with experience supporting surgical services in both clinic and operating room environments. Preferred qualifications include education and training consistent with Physician Assistant practice or Nurse Practitioner practice with RNFA certification, experience in surgical first assisting, outpatient clinic operations, Epic utilization, and breast surgery or oncology practice exposure.

Salary: Minimum $117,500.00 - Midpoint $146,500.00 - Maximum $176,500.00
Work Location: The Woodlands (home site); operating room coverage primarily at Northwest with occasional coverage at TMC
The typical work schedule is a 4/10 schedule with a designated flex day.
 

Why Us?
At UT MD Anderson, this role offers the opportunity to directly support patients through every stage of care while working within a highly collaborative surgical oncology environment. Team members benefit from meaningful clinical work, professional growth opportunities, multidisciplinary collaboration, and a schedule designed to promote work-life balance.
• Employer-paid medical coverage starting day one for employees working 30+ hours/week, plus optional group dental, vision, life, AD&D, and disability insurance.
• Accruals for PTO and Extended Illness Bank, plus paid holidays, wellness, childcare, and other leave options.
• Tuition Assistance Program after six months of service and access to extensive wellness, fitness, and employee resource groups.
• Defined-benefit pension through the Teachers Retirement System, voluntary retirement plans, and employer-paid life and reduced salary protection programs.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive assessment of patients throughout the continuum in the surgical, inpatient and ambulatory setting based on age and diagnosis, including psychological status.
• Direct care of patients with a wide range of oncologic diseases to include new patients, consultations, follow-ups during and after cancer surgeries, therapies, and autonomous survivorship clinic.
• Proficient use of EPIC in the delivery of care.
• Perform and document history and physicals, order and review diagnostic studies, therapeutic procedures, prescribe medications, interaction and direct communication with referring physicians, collaboration with and direct reporting of patient information to the medical staff.
• Coordinate care with other disciplines, build strong collaborative relationships across the organization and the local medical community as many patients require long-term and multi-disciplinary care; especially with surgery scheduling.
• Direct care and management in the outpatient setting to include:
  • Initiation of evaluation
  • Documentation of clinic visits
  • Patient and family education
  • Obtaining informed consent for treatment
  • Documentation of telephone conversations
  • Identification and treatment toxicities
  • Management of symptoms
  • Counseling and support
  • Collaboration with and referrals to other healthcare providers
  • Provision of education to nursing staff, students and the community
• Serve as a medical expert for the Business center and Nursing staff in the intake process of new and transfer patients to asertain safety, appropriateness and treatment modality.
• Treatment planning with physicians, active participation in tumor board review and discussion of cases.
• Engage in peer-to-peer reviews with insurance.
• Perform autonomously in an independent Advanced Practice Provider clinic.
• Participates in perioperative care, which may include pre-operative and post-operative visits and education.
• Contributes to the development, modification and interpretation of oncology guidelines, policies, procedures, including quality assurance activities.
• Participation in clinical research as appropriate.
• Work collaboratively with APRN/PA colleagues in the provision of care, including covering colleagues as needed.
• Attending conferences and continuing education/staff development programs to maintain knowledge of current literature and guidelines for care.
• Participate in safety and process improvement initiatives throughout the Houston Area Locations.
• Participate in the institutional training and meetings as required.
• Perform credentialing procedures.
• Taking care of patients on the outpatient service and assisting in the operating room.  Above-average manual dexterity is necessary for appropriate surgical performance.
• Obtain test results using the MDACC computer system, which requires comprehension and problem-solving skills.
• Formulate as assessment and plan for each patient in coordination with the faculty supervising physician and Breast Surgical Fellows.
• Dictate or manually transcribe a patient note.  This task requires a clear, audible voice, and a good command of the English language as well as clear and legible penmanship.
• Perform minor surgical procedures which may include wound debridement, suture/staple removal, drain placement or removal, seroma evacuation, biopsies, and other procedures as delegated by the supervising physician.
• Manage pre-operative and post-operative patients in coordination with the faculty supervising physician and Breast Surgical Fellows.  An in-depth understanding of the pathophysiology of both cancer as well as the surgical process and wound healing is necessary.
• Provide patient education.  Patient education requires good interpersonal skills and a working knowledge of surgical oncology.
• Coordinate patient care with the multidisciplinary team to include but not limited to Physicians and Advanced Practice Providers (APP) from other hospital services, Nurses, Case Managers, Social Workers, Physical Therapists, Pharmacists, Respiratory Therapists and other Allied Health Support team members involved in the patient's care.
• Depending on the position, the APP may participate in surgery as first or second assist with the faculty.  The use of a scalpel, electric knife, surgical instruments, sterile technique, and compliance with operating room rules and regulations may also be necessary.  Observational skills training will be important.
• See attached "appendix" for speciality specific responsibilities.

MARGINAL FUNCTIONS

• Perform routine patient care, diagnostic and therapeutic procedures such as starting IV's venipuncture, administering PO/IV/IM meds.
• Participate in the education of students including medical, physician assistant, nursing and allied health, etc.  Requires the ability to communicate effectively and to give clear verbal instructions.
• Other duties that may be requied are described in the MDACC institutional PA job descriptions.
• Participate in research and administrative projects pertinent to the patient population in the area where the PA is working.
• Coordinate the medical team in implementing the patient's treatment plan.

APPENDIX; SPECIALTY SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

• Breast Surgical Oncology
  • Credentialed Procedures
    • May include, but not limited to: seroma aspiration, seroma catheter placement, skin punch biopsies, remove ports