Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant - Medical Weight Management, Full-time, Days

Northwestern Medicine has an exciting opportunity for either a Nurse Practitioner or a Physician Assistant to work in our outpatient Medical Weight Management department. This position is within the Digestive Health Institute (DHI) which is comprised of approximately 60 physicians and 26 APPs representing the following specialties: Gastroenterology Hepatology GI Surgery Colorectal Surgery and Lifestyle Medicine.

The APP will primarily work with patients who have already completed a visit with a physician but the APP may see a small volume of new patients. Patient panel is limited to patients with a BMI greater than or equal to 30 and one of the following qualifying diagnoses:

• Pre/post endo bariatric surgery
• Pre/post bariatric surgery
• Patients requiring complex GI surgery
• Pretransplant surgery
• Patients with specific digestive diseases requiring weight loss as a treatment (ie. MAFLD GERD)

Schedule: MF days; 4 days clinical (32 hours of outpatient clinic) 1 day administrative

• no nights/weekends/holidays/oncall

Essential Functions: 

Demonstrates clinical expertise and expanded knowledge through patient care activities which may include diagnosis and management of a wide range of health problems. Responsible for health outcome of an assigned patient population. Confers with collaborating physician and other health professionals in area of clinical expertise. Develops appropriate educational systems for patients families and staff in areas of expertise. Mentors graduate students in aspects of advanced practice and patient care. Actively participates in quality improvement and/or research pertinent to area of expertise. 

Responsibilities: 

Conducts comprehensive appraisals of patients health status by taking health histories and performing physical examinations in clinical area. Provides direct clinical care to patients. Prescribes/orders medications therapies; orders/interprets laboratory tests xrays and procedures according to clinical privileges. Evaluates patients to determine their need for further health care. Provides comprehensive teaching to patients and families. Documents in the medical record all care and education provided and/or procedures performed for which the Licensed Advanced Practice Provider is responsible. Refers to other disciplines as appropriate. Consultant to other disciplines in areas of expertise. Integrates research based knowledge and clinical expertise in decision making. Exemplifies a professional image in appearance manner and presentation. Advocate for patients families coworkers and the community. Maintains certifications and continuing education as required for licensure and privileging. Serves as a patient advocate and role model for Patients First. Participates in unit/departmental/divisional or hospital committees/task forces as appropriate. Provides comprehensive teaching strategies for patients and their families. Develops and participates in programs to meet continuing education needs of staff. Serves as a role model and preceptor to students. Provides formal education to both internal and external groups pertinent to area of specialty. Participates in quality improvement and/or research initiatives for specific patient population as appropriate. 

Qualifications :

Required:

• Masters degree from an accredited school/college of nursing OR masters degree from an accredited Physician Assistant Program  
• Current license as a Registered Nurse in the State of Illinois. Current license as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse in the State of Illinois. Certification as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse by a national certifying body as approved by the Illinois Department of Regulation APRN Board. Once licensed may apply for a controlled substance license and DEA number OR Masters degree from an accredited Physician Assistant Program/Current license as a Physician Assistant in the State of Illinois.  Once licensed may apply for a controlled substance license and DEA number
• Privileged and credentialed through the Medical Staff Office (MSO)
• CardioPulmonary Resuscitation BLS issued by the American Heart Association 
• Minimum of two (2) years of experience as an APP is required

Preferred:

• Experience with prescribing/managing patients on GLP1s
• Comfortability with independent practice seeing both new and return patients
• Experience with coaching patients on lifestyle modifications
• Ability to collaborate with multidisciplinary care team (physicians registered dietitians health psychologists)

Additional Information :

Northwestern Medicine is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age sex race color religion national origin gender identity veteran status disability sexual orientation or any other protected status.

If we offer you a job we will perform a background check that includes a review of any criminal convictions. A conviction does not disqualify you from employment at Northwestern Medicine. We consider this on a casebycase basis and follow all state and federal guidelines.

Benefits

We offer a wide range of benefits that provide employees with tools and resources to improve their physical emotional and financial wellbeing while providing protection for unexpected life events. Please visit our Benefits section to learn more.