Instructor Physician Associate

Department Overview

The Division of Bariatric Surgery specializes in weight-loss surgery, medical weight loss, nutrition and lifestyle adjustment. The surgery team includes experienced bariatric nurse practitioners, certified bariatricians, clinical dieticians, nurses, psychologist, and support staff, all specially trained in caring for obese patients and coordinated to assist with multidisciplinary care. Procedures offered include Gastric Bypass, Gastric Sleeve, Duodenal Switch Procedures, Single Anastomosis Dueodeno-Illeal bypass, and Revisional Bariatric Surgery. Surgeons within the program also conduct ongoing research in the field of bariatrics, following patients long-term from pre- to post-surgery.

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 inpatient APP delivers care aligned with a defined scope of practice in foregut & metabolic bariatric surgery, with work expectations operationalized through the surgery departmental workflows, productivity standards, and performance expectations consistent with the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) and institutional policies. The position is structured to align with peak clinical workflow demands, including early morning inpatient rounds, coordinated perioperative care, and facilitation of efficient patient throughput across the surgical practice.

This role is structured to meet contract-defined work expectations of 179 10-hour shifts/ year, which is aligned with the clinical coverage model and patient care needs of the service. Shifts are structured as 10-hour clinical days to support early rounding, daily care planning, and coordinated transitions of care.The inpatient APP will participate in departmental scheduling processes, with scheduling practices aligned to contract provisions, equitable distribution of coverage, and maintenance of safe, consistent clinical operations.

This position reports to (supervisor): Division Head for Foregut & Metabolic Bariatric Surgery

Function/Duties of Position

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

Inpatient Clinical Care

• Provide daily inpatient management of surgery patients under supervising attending surgeons
• Perform admission histories and physical examinations
• Conduct daily rounds, ongoing patient assessments, and clinical management
• Evaluate and manage acute surgical conditions and postoperative issues within scope of practice
• Write and manage inpatient orders, including medications, diagnostics, and therapies
• Respond to changes in patient condition and escalating care appropriately
• Provide perioperative care, including preoperative optimization and postoperative management

Consult & Care Coordination

• Evaluate and manage inpatient consultations to foregut and bariatric services
• Coordinate care with consulting services and interdisciplinary teams
• Collaborate with nursing, case management, social work, and ancillary services
• Facilitate discharge planning, including patient education, medication reconciliation, and follow-up coordination

Documentation & Compliance

• Maintain accurate, timely, and compliant inpatient documentation in the electronic health record
• Complete admission notes, daily progress notes, procedure notes, discharge summaries, and handoffs
• Adhere to institutional policies, regulatory requirements, and billing standards

Procedures (as applicable)

• Perform bedside procedures consistent with training, credentialing, and service needs (e.g., incision and drainage, wound management)
• Assist with procedures as defined by the clinical service and credentialing requirements

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.
• Participate in quality improvement, patient safety, and performance initiatives
• Contribute to efficient patient flow, length-of-stay optimization, and safe transitions of care

Required Qualifications

Education:

• 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.

Registrations, Certifications and/or Licenses:

• Current RN and APRN licensure with the Oregon Board of Nursing.
• Current national certification in the area of specialization.
• Current BLS, ACLS or PALS Certification as indicated for the position
• DEA Certification.- OR -
• Current PA licensure with the Oregon Medical Board.
• Current NCCPA Certification.
• Current BLS, ACLS or PALS Certification.
• DEA Certification.

Experience:

• Prior experience in inpatient general surgery, acute care, or hospital-based practice
• Experience in an academic medical center or team-based inpatient environment
• Comfort managing medically and surgically complex hospitalized patients

Skills and Abilities:

• Strong inpatient clinical assessment and decision-making skills
• Ability to manage acute postoperative and surgical conditions
• Effective communication and interdisciplinary collaboration
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail

Why apply to OHSU?