Clinical Associate

Department Overview

The Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine is integral to the healthcare, education and research missions at OHSU. The Comprehensive Pain Center (CPC) team includes physicians, psychologists, physician associates/nurse practitioners, and a naturopath who deliver comprehensive care, training opportunities for fellows and residents, and research to improve the lives of patients experiencing acute and chronic pain. We provide pain management techniques such as injections, blocks, stimulators, and cancer pain care. The department is also nationally recognized in pediatric pain management.

The appointee shall provide services as assigned by the supervisor in furtherance of the university’s missions and goals of teaching, research, patient care, outreach and public service.

The Faculty APP delivers care aligned with a defined scope of practice in the Comprehensive Pain Center and the Adult Pain Service, with work expectations operationalized through departmental workflows, productivity standards, and performance expectations consistent with the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) and institutional policies.

This role is structured to meet contract-defined work expectations of 224 (8-hour) outpatient or 179 (10-hour) inpatient clinical shifts per year, inclusive of daytime coverage, aligned with the clinical coverage model and patient care needs of the service.

The Faculty APP will participate in departmental scheduling processes, including non-clinical time and paid time off (PTO/EIB), with scheduling practices aligned to contract provisions, equitable distribution of coverage, and maintenance of safe, consistent clinical operations.

Function/Duties of Position

Clinical Activities (not assigned administrative, education, or research FTE):

• The appointee will work in partnership with faculty physicians, fellows, residents and other CPC staff to coordinate and support the clinical operations of the Comprehensive Pain Center by providing care for patients with chronic and acute pain, and management of intrathecal pumps and epidurals, providing peri-procedural management of spinal cord stimulators, assisting the attending physician with consults on the inpatient and outpatient setting.  
• The APP will work in partnership with CPC staff to provide excellent clinical care and customer service in the inpatient and outpatient areas.  
• The APP will support the Department's and Hospital and Clinics’ goal of providing effective, efficient and appropriate care.
• Inpatient:  
  • The APP will help staff the Adult Pain Service, which is the team, including trainees and attendings, responsible for responding to Pain Consults within the hospital. 
  • The APP works with the APS team, as well as independently, to conduct physical examinations and pain assessments to formulate a pain management plan that is implemented and monitored by the team. This role also includes providing care for adult patients with epidural, intrathecal, or peripheral nerve infusion pumps. 
  • The APP will work on all appropriate medical record documentation and ensure the patient's medical record is comprehensive and accurate.  
• Outpatient:  
  • Independently evaluates new patients in the clinic and follow-up visits. Will have own scheduling template to schedule own patients' workload. 
  • Performs intrathecal pain pump management, pre and post-operative care for Spinal Cord Stimulator patients.  
  • Documents plan of care in medical record (EMR). 
  • Daily updates to referring providers by phone, e-mail, fax. 
  • Responds to prescription refills and refill/justification for durable medical equipment.   
  • Track laboratory results, culture results and arranges for initiation of treatment or changes in treatment.
  • Indirect care time will be given based on the portion of outpatient care for the APP and is used for filling needs of practice/clinic/division/department. Examples include but are not limited to: Meeting with MDs, medication prior auths, econsults, coordination with inpatient pain, Medical paperwork (i.e. disability paperwork, call referrings/primary provider, etc.), Opioid compliance, Medical review, peer to peer consults, other duties as assigned.

Faculty Activities (service, scholarship, and research):

• Clinical APP faculty expectations include sustained contributions within the four pillars of OHSU’s mission, including clinical, scholarship, and teaching https://o2.ohsu.edu/school-of-medicine/school-medicine-procedures-and-general-guidelines-promotion-and-tenure.  
• Faculty pursuit opportunities specific to position.

Other Activities (not covered above):

• All APPs are expected to support the clinical, education, and research mission of OHSU through routine clinical care that includes working with students, trainees, and patients participating in research, consistent with their role, scope of practice, and applicable contract and institutional policies.
• Participates in ongoing education of the medical and nursing staff including but not limited to: Organization of in-services for pertinent clinical populations, in service training for identified procedures and issues regarding quality patient care.  

Required Qualifications

• Successful completion of a Master’s Degree in Nursing or Master of Science in Nursing in a recognized APRN specialty (Certified Nurse Midwife, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist, or Nurse Practitioner)  - OR - 
• Successful completion of a Master’s Degree in Physician Assistant/Associate Studies from an accredited program. - OR -  
• Appropriate equivalent degree and certification 
• Current RN and APRN licensure with the Oregon Board of Nursing. 
• Current national certification in the area of specialization.
• Current ACLS Certification 
• DEA Certification. - OR -
• Current PA licensure with the Oregon Medical Board.
• Current NCCPA Certification.  
• Current ACLS Certification. 
• DEA Certification.
• Strong knowledge of APP Core Competencies. 

Preferred Qualifications

• Prefer 3-5 years of previous experience in Pain Management specialty, hospital ward, or surgical/medical physician practice setting.  

Additional Details

• Standard shift times for outpatient (CPC) are 8:00am-5:00pm. Slight variation of start/end times possible based on clinic needs and staffing.
• Standard shift times for inpatient (APS) are 7:00am-5:00pm.
• Busy clinical environment subject to interruptions and noise. 
• Exposure to human tissue/fluids.

Why apply to OHSU?