Advanced Practice Provider (ACNP or PA) Mercy Acute Pain Service

Position: Acute Care Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant

Specialty: Acute Pain Service (APS)

Location: UPMC Mercy

Schedule: Monday–Friday, daylight hours

About the Role

Are you a passionate and driven Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner (ACNP) or Physician Assistant (PA) ready to make a meaningful impact in acute pain management? Join a dynamic and growing Acute Pain Service (APS) team at UPMC Mercy, a Level 1 Trauma Center, where your expertise will directly impact patient recovery and comfort. As an Advanced Practice Provider, you’ll work in both inpatient and OR settings alongside a collaborative team of anesthesiologists, nurses, and specialists to deliver cutting-edge acute pain management using interventional and pharmacological techniques. 

Key Responsibilities

Clinical:

Conduct consults and obtain consent for perioperative and trauma-related nerve blocks Implement and adjust acute pain management plans Round on inpatient units and ICUs Assist with nerve block procedures and coordinate care across hospital units Monitor surgical schedules to support timely patient care

Educational:

Provide education on pain treatment protocols to nursing staff and trainees Support development of clinical education materials

Administrative:

Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to support care coordination Contribute to care pathway development and quality improvement initiatives Support APS operations, including scheduling and medication logistics Participate in departmental and hospital-wide meetings

Staff/Senior Level:

The Staff or Senior Advanced Practice Provider (APP) is a Physician Assistant or Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner and a member of the care delivery team. The APP is responsible to set the standards for the level and quality of care. The APP has responsibility, authority, and accountability for the provision of care through supervision by and collaboration with a physician. The APP manages and provides patient care activities for a group of patients and their families through the application of independent judgment, communication, and collaboration with all team members. The role of the APP encompasses the beginnings of leadership, partnership, collaboration, and supervision. The APP establishes and maintains collaborative relationships with physicians, other health care providers, patients, and their families, to achieve desired patient outcomes throughout the continuum of care. The APP begins to demonstrate a commitment to the community and to their healthcare profession.

The successful candidate will be placed according to years and months of experience for employment purposes.

Responsibilities:

Applies basic professional practice knowledge and skills appropriate for practice setting. Communicates effectively, both verbally and in documentation. Demonstrates critical thinking in all areas of professional practice. Learns to incorporate acceptable standards of professional practice as well as business unit and health system’s goals to improve patient safety, quality, and satisfaction. Formulates a plan of care that considers individual patient needs. Demonstrates initiative and seeks formal and informal opportunities to improve clinical practice. Seeks guidance and asks questions to continuously improve professional practice. Builds relationships with patients, families, and colleagues. Identifies ethical situations within patient care or within the workplace and seeks assistance. Professionally accepts assignments that gradually increase patient load and complexity. Actively engages in clinical development of all members of the healthcare team. Requests opportunities to learn advanced professional practice techniques from senior healthcare team members. Seeks, accepts, and utilizes performance feedback from peers, preceptors, and unit/department Leaders as a learning opportunity and to improve practice. Demonstrates enthusiasm for continuous learning and identifies and creates a plan for the continuation of learning and development. Identifies patient and family needs for education and provides basic education to support the episode of care. Seeks professional development and involvement through membership in a professional organization and/or reading professional literature on a regular basis. Demonstrates a basic knowledge of research, how it affects practice and who/what resources are available to assist with evidence-based practice by asking questions, demonstrating interest, participating in journal clubs. Clinical practice demonstrates knowledge of how quality and innovation impacts patient satisfaction, safety, and clinical quality outcomes. Identifies opportunities for improvement in the clinical area. Demonstrates the ability to communicate clearly and effectively with all members of the health care team. Begins to demonstrate awareness of cultural diversity, horizontal violence, and impairment in the health professions. Cares for patients and self by supporting safety in the workplace. Demonstrates accountability for professional development that improves the quality of professional practice and the quality of patient care. Makes recommendations for the improvement of clinical care and the health of the workplace and welcomes and participates in change initiatives. Leads by investing and building healthy relationships among colleagues and other disciplines. Shows the ability to set priorities. Begins to serve as an engaged member of a team supporting colleagues in service to patients and families and may participate in task forces or other initiatives.