Job Description

Northwestern Medicine has an exciting opportunity for either a Nurse Practitioner or a Physician Assistant to join our growing Sickle Cell Disease program, with a primary focus on inpatient consultative care and a smaller outpatient clinic component. This role will serve a high-acuity, high-utilization patient population and work closely with hematology, hospital medicine, pain management, care coordination, and outpatient teams to improve continuity of care across settings. The APP will provide inpatient consultations, develop and implement individualized pain and care plans, support evidence-based management of vaso-occlusive episodes, coordinate discharge planning, and ensure timely outpatient follow-up. A key goal of this position is to reduce avoidable readmissions, improve patient outcomes, and enhance the patient experience through proactive care coordination and longitudinal support.

The successful candidate will help bridge gaps between inpatient, emergency, infusion, and outpatient care settings while addressing barriers to care that contribute to recurrent hospital utilization. This individual will collaborate with multidisciplinary partners to promote standardized care pathways, patient education, chronic disease management, and equitable access to resources for patients living with sickle cell disease. The position offers a unique opportunity to build and shape an innovative program focused on improving quality, reducing length of stay and readmissions, and advancing care for a medically and socially complex population.'

Schedule: Monday - Friday

• no weekends, nights, or holidays
• no on call

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, x-rays 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:

• Master’s degree from an accredited school/college of nursing OR master's degree from an accredited Physician Assistant Program
• Acute care certification required for APRNs
• 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 Master’s 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)
• Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation – BLS, issued by the American Heart Association
• Minimum of 2 years of APP experience
• No new grads

Preferred:

• Experience working with sickle cell patients as well as chronic pain management preferred

Equal Opportunity

Northwestern Medicine is an equal opportunity employer (disability, VETS) 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.

Background Check

Northwestern Medicine conducts a background check that includes criminal history on newly hired team members and, at times, internal transfers. If you are offered a position with us, you will be required to complete an authorization and disclosure form that gives Northwestern Medicine permission to run the background check. Results are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and we follow all local, state, and federal laws, including the Illinois Health Care Worker Background Check Act.

Artificial Intelligence Disclosure

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position, however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.

Benefits

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

Sign-on Bonus Eligibility (if sign-on bonus offered for position): Internal employees and rehires who left Northwestern Medicine within 1 year are not eligible for the sign on bonus. Exception: New graduate internal employees seeking their first licensed clinical position at NM may be eligible depending upon the job family.