Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (or Physician Assistant) - Pulmonary Medicine

The primary purpose of the Advanced Practice Provider (Advanced Practice Registered Nurse or Physician Assistant) position in Pulmonary Medicine is to provide direct patient care in the outpatient and/or inpatient setting in the department of Pulmonary Medicine. The APRN impacts quality of patient care and patient outcomes throughout the care continuum. The position will provide direct patient care under Physician supervision.

The ideal candidate is a highly motivated and patient-centered Advanced Practice Provider (APRN or PA) with strong clinical expertise in Pulmonary Medicine and a demonstrated commitment to delivering high-quality care across the continuum in both outpatient and inpatient settings. This individual excels in comprehensive patient assessment, clinical decision-making, care coordination, and interdisciplinary collaboration under physician supervision. The successful candidate is adaptable, detail-oriented, and confident managing complex pulmonary and oncology-related conditions, including symptom management, diagnostic interpretation, procedures, and patient education. A strong interest in quality improvement, research, and professional development is essential, along with the ability to serve as a clinical resource for patients, families, and colleagues. Flexibility is required, as the position includes scheduled shifts in The Woodlands clinic for cross-coverage based on clinical need, supporting access to care and continuity across practice locations.

MD Anderson offers our employees:
- Paid employee medical benefits (zero premium) starting on first day for employees who work 30 or more hours per week
- Group Dental, Vision, Life, AD&D and Disability coverage
- Paid time off (PTO) and Extended Illness Bank (EIB) paid leave accruals
- Paid institutional holidays, wellness leave, childcare leave, and other paid leave programs
- Tuition Assistance Program after six months of service
- Teachers Retirement System defined-benefit pension plan and two voluntary retirement plans
- Employer paid life, AD&D and an illness-related reduced salary pay program
- Extensive wellness, recognition, fitness, employee health programs and employee resource groups.

The salary range for this position is Minimum-$117,500 - Midpoint-$146,500 - Maximum-$176,500

The is a 100% onsite role working Monday-Friday from 08:00am-5:00 pm.

JOB SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES

 

Patient Assessment  

• Provides quality patient care in relation to patient’s prescribed diagnosis, treatment, age group, development, and other identified needs. 
• Assesses health status by performing the medical history, episodic physical examination, and psychosocial assessment.
• Reports findings and test results to physicians.
• Monitors laboratory, clinical radiographic and procedural data.
• Reviews the findings of the history and physical, pertinent laboratory data, radiographic data, plan for further diagnosis and therapeutic management with the physician. 

Intervention/Evaluation    

• Prevents, minimizes, and manages symptoms/toxicities/health abnormalities related to disease or treatment in collaboration with physician and other allied personnel. 
• Evaluates patient’s response to treatment and health care provided and modifies care as needed (under supervision of physician if medical acts are required).
• Coordinates activities, including writing orders and requesting consultations from other health team members, to meet patient’s multiple needs and requests.
• Provides emergency triage and renders emergency medical service pending the arrival of a physician.
• Identifies and manages patient’s crises until physician assistance is available.
• If eligible, write prescriptions as needed.
• Writes or dictates patient letters, patient notes (history and physical notes, progress notes, telephone notes, consultation notes, and discharge summaries).
• Orders diagnostic studies such as laboratory work, x-rays, PET scans, CT scans, PFTs, 6 minute walk test, EKG, echocardiograms, pulmonary stress tests, and MRI scans as directed by physician. Interpretation of studies.
• Preforms ultrasounds for assessment of pleural effusions
• Provides care for patients with sleep disturbances, interpreting sleep studies, ordering of devices, and managing compliance in coordination with the sleep lab.
• Provides psychological support to patients and families.
• Provides health care throughout the disease process: diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, palliative, terminal care, and prevention of cancer and/or complications.
• Facilitates use of institutional resource.
• Facilitates communication between patient/family and interdisciplinary team and coordinates services related to patient care.
• Schedules consultations, diagnostic test or procedures, future appointments for patients, coordinating care.
• Participates in Pulmonary Medicine Conferences.

 

Performance of Diagnostic/Therapeutic Procedures  

• Undergoes training of specific medical procedures at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center by a physician.
• Demonstrates competency of specific procedure under the direct supervision of a physician leading to privileging to perform the procedure.
• Performs medical procedures to include removal of sutures, Pleural catheter management, removal of pleural catheters.
•  Instillation of tPA into pleural catheters and or saline.

 

Outpatient APP   • Works in the Woodlands Houston Area Location clinic and schedule is based on clinical need
• Participates in Service Line and Care Team Transformation initiatives, including APP Independent Practice

Education  

• Provides health education to the patient and his/her family (management of side effects, etc.) as well as participates in formal and informal instruction of nursing students, professional nurses and other health professionals. 
• Promote positive health behaviors and self-care skills through education and counseling. 
• Refers patient to appropriate resource per the assessment and evaluation.
• Builds and maintains a therapeutic team to provide optimum therapy/care.
• Demonstrates advanced knowledge in pulmonary medicine and care of patients.
• Assists in development of educational material for use by staff.
• Keeps current by attending continuing education programs related to the clinical area, participating in professional nursing organizations, communicating advances in nursing practice or health care in general in writing through publications and presentation of scientific papers.
• Serves as a resource person in the orientation process and ongoing fellowship and residency program.

 

Research   • Contributes to research efforts of Department/Section and applies pertinent research to clinical practice. 
• Identifies clinical problems amenable to research methods.
• Initiates or collaborates in research projects.
• Serves as a research person by assisting with the implementation of registered departmental research protocols.
• Collaborates with the department in the development of new research protocols.
• Applies pertinent research to care of patients and to develop alternate plans of care.
• Attends departmental meetings pertinent to the APP.

 

Consultation   

• Provides consultation to colleagues and allied personnel outside and within MDACC.
• Collaborates with medical, nursing, and other disciplines regarding plan of care, follow-up, and evaluation.
• Recommends therapeutic measure for relief of symptoms.