Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant

Nurse Practitioner NP

Physician Assistant PA

Job Title: Advanced Practice Provider

Department/ Unit/ Section: Division of Infectious Diseases

Reports To: Sandra Nelson, MD

Barbra Blair, MD

The Division of Infectious Diseases at Massachusetts General Hospital seeks a dynamic, compassionate, and team-oriented Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant to join its growing program in Complex Outpatient Antimicrobial Therapy (COPAT). The COPAT program oversees the care of patients with severe infections, most of whom are hospitalized for diagnosis and management of infection. After infections are diagnosed are stabilized, many patients require antibiotic treatment courses that last weeks and are completed after hospital discharge. Other patients may be diagnosed in the outpatient area, but still need close monitoring while initiating intravenous or complex oral antimicrobial therapy. The COPAT program was developed to foster a safe transition from the inpatient to the outpatient setting, to oversee the safe administration of higher risk antimicrobial therapy, to ensure that there is rapid access to care for complications and side effects, and to minimize the risk of emergency department visits and readmission.

During a typical week, 20-25 patients are referred to our MGH COPAT program for management; the majority of these are in hospitalized patients. Typical infections referred for COPAT oversight include bacteremia, endocarditis, skin and soft tissue infections, osteomyelitis, septic arthritis, prosthetic joint infection, epidural abscess, device infections, complicated urinary tract infections, and complicated intra-abdominal infections. In the hospital setting, patients are seen by the Infectious Diseases Consultation service, which develops the discharge antibiotic plan and refers to the COPAT program. After discharge, the outpatient team takes over care. While some providers on the ID consultation service follow their own patients after discharge, others are assigned a new care team after discharge. In most cases, we aim for a first outpatient appointment soon after hospital discharge, to assess toxicities, and for those discharged on IV antimicrobial therapy, to consider a change to oral antibiotic therapy to complete their course.

As an Infectious Diseases Advanced Practice Provider, you would be an integral part of the care of many patients who are managed by the COPAT program. You would see a portion of the hospitalized inpatients whose ID consultation team has finalized the antibiotic discharge plan and "signed off" but who remain in the hospital, to ensure that the antibiotic administration remains safe and appropriately monitored. Through this, you would collaborate with a broad variety of referring physician teams. In the outpatient area, you would deliver clinical care to those patients who need to be seen shortly after hospital discharge, to assess tolerance and consider transitioning to alternative (including oral) therapy as appropriate. We strive to optimize continuity care for patients within the ID practice; your role will be essential for those patients who need to transition care to a different outpatient provider. You may be able to meet these patients while hospitalized, and then be ready to assume care when they are discharged. Throughout this, you will receive mentorship from faculty and staff in the Division of Infectious Diseases and Department of Medicine with diverse expertise as you grow your own practice and expertise in this critical area.

This is planned as a full-time, in-person position and will include both inpatient and outpatient care at the MGH Boston campus. You will work closely with the COPAT administrative team, our Infectious Diseases pharmacists, and our outpatient nursing staff in delivering COPAT care. You would participate in the database tracking of our patients on COPAT by confirming the antimicrobial plans and documenting COPAT quality measures. We hope that along with the COPAT physician directors you will take an active leadership role in the design of the COPAT program, which is frequently modified in response to changes in the health care structures and lessons learned through our quality improvement initiatives. You would also be welcome to participate in the research activities that stem from the care provided through the COPAT program.

Our COPAT team seeks individuals who embody a mission-driven ethos, display intellectual curiosity, exhibit meticulous attention to detail, are highly organized, and possess a deep enthusiasm for delivering exceptional patient-centered care. We are committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a diversity, equity, and inclusion culture. This commitment applies to staff members at all levels and the diverse patient populations we serve.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following activities.

• Provide ongoing consultative care to inpatients with infections who have been referred for COPAT care oversight and who remain hospitalized. In addition, you will occasionally see COPAT patients who are readmitted.
• Deliver care to outpatients with severe infections who remain on antimicrobial therapy. Most visits are in person but select visits will be done via telemedicine.
• Assist the COPAT care teams with antimicrobial monitoring separate from visits, including review of antimicrobial appropriateness, dosing, side effects, and laboratory safety monitoring.

• Participate in the Infectious Diseases Division and Clinic team meetings
• Participate in COPAT quality improvement efforts and help to maintain the COPAT database
• Work closely with the COPAT Physician directors in the design and function of the COPAT program.
• Participate in research activities related to COPAT therapies.
• Current licensure as a certified nurse practitioner or Physician Assistant in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Prior experience is preferred but not required.

Planning, Organizing, and Coordinating

• Time management skills with the capability to prioritize among multiple requests from multiple individuals and the ability to change direction in response to a fluctuating work environment.

• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work successfully in a collaborative environment.
• Ability to manage diverse teams with different skills, work styles, and professional roles

• High personal work standards and sense of urgency about results.
• Ability to anticipate the needs of the group in a fast-paced environment
• Problem-solving ability, including the ability to gather information, identify resources, and imagine alternatives
• Demonstrates initiative and identifies key priorities, even in ambiguous situations with limited direction
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and within short time constraints
• Consistently demonstrates a positive, "can-do" attitude

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to represent the Division with the utmost professionalism and ability to build good relationships inside and outside the group
• Cognizant and respectful of cultural differences in communication approach

• Intellectual curiosity and willingness to learn
• Deliver comprehensive care to patients in accordance with the highest standards of clinical practice
• Manage patient care plans and coordinate with other healthcare professionals to ensure patient safety and satisfaction

This description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by an employee within this position. The actual duties, responsibilities and qualifications may vary based on need.

* Current licensure as a certified nurse practitioner or Physician Assistant in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Prior experience is preferred but not required.

Planning, Organizing, and Coordinating

* Time management skills with the capability to prioritize among multiple requests from multiple individuals and the ability to change direction in response to a fluctuating work environment.

Team Management

* Strong leadership and interpersonal skills.

* Ability to work successfully in a collaborative environment.

* Ability to manage diverse teams with different skillsets, work styles, and professional roles

Gets Results/Takes Initiative

* High personal work standards and sense of urgency about results.

* Ability to anticipate the needs of the group in a fast-paced environment

* Problem-solving ability, including the ability to gather information, identify resources, and imagine alternatives

* Demonstrates initiative and identifies key priorities, even in ambiguous situations with limited direction

* Ability to work effectively under pressure and within short time constraints

* Consistently demonstrates a positive, "can-do" attitude

Communication Skills

* Excellent written and verbal communication skills

* Ability to represent the Division with the utmost professionalism and ability to build strong relationships inside and outside the group

* Cognizant and respectful of cultural differences in communication approach

Clinical Skills

* Intellectual curiosity and willingness to learn

• Provide comprehensive care to patients in accordance with the highest standards of clinical practice
• Manage patient care plans and coordinate with other healthcare professionals to ensure patient safety and satisfaction

• Mass General is the #1 hospital in New England based on U.S. News Best Hospitals for 2023-2024
• Collaborate with the brightest minds in medicine to provide quality care to our patients
• Lucrative benefits and generous paid time off

Mass General Hospital is a world-renowned hospital that provides the highest quality care to patients. We are a leader in medical research and education, and we are committed to delivering our employees with a rewarding and fulfilling career.

Our culture is one of collaboration, innovation, and diversity. We believe that by working together, we can achieve great things. We are also committed to delivering our employees with a work-life balance that allows them to thrive both professionally and personally.

If you are looking for a challenging and rewarding career in medicine, then Mass General Hospital is the place for you. We offer a variety of career opportunities, so you can find a position that fits your interests and skills. We also offer several benefits, so you can be sure that you are well-compensated for your hard work.

This description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by an employee within this position. The actual duties, responsibilities and qualifications may vary based on need.

Massachusetts General Hospital is an Affirmative Action Employer. By embracing diverse skills, perspectives, and ideas, we choose to lead. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, age, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, military service, genetic information, and/or other status protected under law. We will ensure that all individuals with a disability are provided a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment.