Geriatric Surgical Nurse Practitioner

White Plains Hospital Job Description

Title: Geriatric Surgical Nurse Practitioner

Job Code: 200212

Department/Location: CAMS/Main hospital FLSA Status: Exempt

Reports to: Director Palliative Medicine

Position Summary

Geriatric Surgical Nurse Practitioner provides geriatric consulting services through evidence[1]based care to the geriatric population. In addition, the Geriatric Surgical Nurse Practitioner facilitates the Geriatric Surgery Verification Program through the American College of Surgeons and provides guidance in other organizational geriatric accreditations (i.e. Age-Friendly, NICHE, etc.).

The clinical responsibilities of the Geriatric Surgical Nurse Practitioner will include providing

clinical management, support and education related to identified geriatric vulnerabilities,

focusing on all phases of care and collaborating with the interdisciplinary team across the

continuum of care.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities Includes the Following:

1. Understands and adheres to the WPH Performance Standards, Policies and Behaviors.

2. Assure compliance with the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Geriatric Surgery

Verification (GSV) program including initial verification and re-verification.

3. Coordinates and leads the Geriatric Surgery Quality Committee (GSQC) and ensures

compliance of Geriatric Surgery requirements of the GSQC.

4. Collaborates with leaders for other geriatric programs within the organization to ensure

standardization and continuity of programs (Age-Friendly, NICHE, etc.).

5. Provides geriatric surgery consultations based on referrals or identified geriatric

vulnerabilities including age >84, cognitive impairment, or risk for delirium based on

geriatric screenings for enrolled GSV patients.

6. Provide preoperative geriatric consultation for the Surgical Navigation Center and

postoperatively as requested.

7. Directs performance improvement initiatives for the GSV program utilizing the WPH

performance improvement methodology (A3 or other).

8. Collaborate with Chief of Surgery, Palliative Medicine Director, Surgical providers and

Interdisciplinary team to assure quality care for geriatric patients, including but not

limited to clinical management, length of stay, readmissions, and other important

quality outcomes for our geriatric population.

9. Provides clinical, educational, and emotional support as appropriate to geriatric patients

and their families living with identified geriatric vulnerabilities.

10. Serves as content expert, consultant, and educator for the interdisciplinary team on the

care of the geriatric surgery patient.

11. Performs physical examinations and preventive health measures within prescribed

guidelines.

12. Performs geriatric and cognitive assessments.

13. Uses critical thinking and interprets findings, diagnostics, and plans of care according to

collaborative practice agreements and protocols.

14. Initiates referrals to specialty services and fosters continuity of care.

15. Prescribes and adjusts medical management regimen specific to pain and symptom

management and within the scope of practice for an NP.

16. Participates in team meetings and conferences to enhance a multidisciplinary approach

to patient care

17. Adheres to safety standards for employees and patients.

18. Performs all other related duties as assigned.

Education & Experience Requirements

• Master’s degree in nursing from an accredited school
• Current NYS license to practice as a Registered Professional Nurse
• Current NYS license to practice as an Adult, Adult/geriatric or Family Nurse Practitioner
• Required National Board Certification as a Nurse Practitioner
• Gerontological Nursing Certification (GERO-BC™) within 1 year of hire
• Preferred Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certification (AGACNP-BC®)
• Required completion of Geriatric course meeting ACS requirements if not AGACNP-BC ®
• ACLS/BLS required
• Maintains a current collaborative practice agreement

Core Competencies

• Teamwork
• Accountability
• Excellent Communication Skills
• Problem-Solving Skills
• Judgement and Decision Making

Physical/Mental Demands/Requirements & Work Environment

May be exposed to chemicals necessary to perform required tasks. Any hazardous

chemicals the employee may be exposed to are listed in the hospital’s SDS (Safety Data

Sheet) database and may be accessed through the hospital’s Intranet site (Employee

Tools/SDS Access). A copy of the SDS database can also be found on the hospital

switchboard, saved on a disc.

Primary Population Served

Check appropriate box(s) below:

Neonatal (birth – 28 days)

Patients with exceptional communication needs

Infant (29 days – less than 1 year)

Patients with developmental delays

Pediatric (1 – 12 years)

Patients at end of life

Adolescent (13 – 17 years)

Patients under isolation precautions

Adult (18 – 64 years) Patients with cultural needs

Geriatric (> 65 years) All populations

Bariatric Patients with weight related comorbidities

Non-patient care population

The responsibilities and tasks outlined in this job description are not exhaustive and may change as determined by the needs of White Plains Hospital

Location: White Plains Hospital · Palliative Medicine
Schedule: Full Time, Day, Monday-Friday, Flexible