Physician Assistant or Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (with RNFA) - Neurosurgery, Full-time, Days

Northwestern Medicine; McHenry (IL); Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Wide range of benefits

Sign-on bonus eligibility

Job summary

Northwestern Medicine is looking for a motivated Physician Assistant or Acute Care Nurse Practitioner to join our Neurosurgery and General Surgery teams. This hybrid role involves both inpatient and outpatient duties, including surgical assist and critical patient care, with a schedule of Monday through Friday.

The position requires a Master's degree from an accredited program, current Illinois licensing, and acute care certification. Join a team that emphasizes mentorship, collaboration, and quality improvement in patient care.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree required for nursing or physician assistant.
• Acute care certification required for APRNs.
• Current Illinois nursing license mandatory.

Responsibilities

• Conducts health status assessments and provides direct care.
• Prescribes medications and orders tests as needed.
• Mentors graduate students and participates in quality initiatives.

Skills

Clinical expertise and patient care

Collaboration with healthcare team

Mentorship

Quality improvement participation

Advocacy for patients

Education provision

Education

Master's degree from an accredited nursing school or PA program

Current RN license in Illinois

Certification as Advanced Practice Registered Nurse

Tools

Electronic health records

Job description

Description

Northwestern Medicine has an exciting opportunity for either a motivated Physician Assistant or Acute Care Nurse Practitioner to work with our Neurosurgery team. This is a hybrid role with time divided between Ambulatory, inpatient rounding, and OR first assist.

Northwestern Medicine has an exciting opportunity for either a motivated Physician Assistant or Acute Care Nurse Practitioner to work with our General Surgery team. This is an inpatient role with time divided between rounding responsibilities and surgical assist coverage.

• Mix of inpatient and outpatient responsibilities, including weekly hospital census of ~10–20 patients
• Shared outpatient clinic coverage with attending and APPs during weekdays
• Surgical volume includes minimum 4 elective cases/week plus add-ons and emergent cases (~6–10 OR cases/week total)

Schedule: Monday‑Friday

• Full‑time: 5×8‑hour shifts (Monday–Friday) with rotating night, weekend, and holiday call
• On‑call rotation: 1:5 weekends (in‑person rounding, ~2–4 hours onsite) and 1:5 overnight call (5pm–7am); stipend provided

Locations:

McHenry, Huntley, Woodstock, Lake Forest

Essential Functions:

• Demonstrates clinical expertise and expanded knowledge through patient care activities which may include diagnosis and management of a wide range of health problems.
• Responsible for health outcome of an assigned patient population.
• Confers with collaborating physician and other health professionals in area of clinical expertise.
• Develops appropriate educational systems for patients, families and staff in areas of expertise.
• Mentors graduate students in aspects of advanced practice and patient care.
• Actively participates in quality improvement and/or research pertinent to area of expertise.

Responsibilities:

• Conducts comprehensive appraisals of patients' health status by taking health histories and performing physical examinations in clinical area.
• Provides direct clinical care to patients.
• Prescribes/orders medications, therapies; orders/interprets laboratory tests, x‑rays and procedures according to clinical privileges.
• Evaluates patients to determine their need for further health care.
• Provides comprehensive teaching to patients and families.
• Documents in the medical record all care and education provided and/or procedures performed for which the Licensed Advanced Practice Provider is responsible.
• Refers to other disciplines as appropriate.
• Consultant to other disciplines in areas of expertise.
• Integrates research‑based knowledge and clinical expertise in decision making.
• Exemplifies a professional image in appearance, manner and presentation.
• Advocate for patients, families, coworkers, and the community.
• Maintains certifications and continuing education as required for licensure and privileging.
• Serves as a patient advocate and role model for "Patients First".
• Participates in unit/departmental/divisional or hospital committees/task forces as appropriate.
• Provides comprehensive teaching strategies for patients and their families.
• Develops and participates in programs to meet continuing education needs of staff.
• Serves as a role model and preceptor to students.
• Provides formal education to both internal and external groups pertinent to area of specialty.
• Participates in quality improvement and/or research initiatives for specific patient population as appropriate.

AA/EOE Minorities/Women/Disabled/Veterans. VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

Qualifications

Required:

• Master’s degree from an accredited school/college of nursing OR master's degree from an accredited Physician Assistant Program
• Acute care certification required for APRNs (inpatient experience as an NP will be considered in lieu of acute care certification)
• First Assist Certification for all APRNs
• Current license as a Registered Nurse in the State of Illinois. Current license as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse in the State of Illinois. Certification as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse by a national certifying body as approved by the Illinois Department of Regulation APRN Board. Once licensed may apply for a controlled substance license and DEA number OR Master’s degree from an accredited Physician Assistant Program/Current license as a Physician Assistant in the State of Illinois. Once licensed may apply for a controlled substance license and DEA number
• Privileged and credentialed through the Northwestern Medicine Medical Staff Office (MSO)
• Cardio‑Pulmonary Resuscitation – BLS, issued by the American Heart Association

Equal Opportunity

Northwestern Medicine is an equal opportunity employer (disability, VETS) and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status.

Background Check

Northwestern Medicine conducts a background check that includes criminal history on newly hired team members and, at times, internal transfers. If you are offered a position with us, you will be required to complete an authorization and disclosure form that gives Northwestern Medicine permission to run the background check. Results are evaluated on a case‑by‑case basis, and we follow all local, state, and federal laws, including the Illinois Health Care Worker Background Check Act.

Artificial Intelligence Disclosure

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position, however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.

Benefits

We offer a wide range of benefits that provide employees with tools and resources to improve their physical, emotional, and financial well‑being while providing protection for unexpected life events.

Sign‑on Bonus Eligibility (if sign‑on bonus offered for position)

Internal employees and rehires who left Northwestern Medicine within 1 year are not eligible for the sign‑on bonus. Exception: New graduate internal employees seeking their first licensed clinical position at NM may be eligible depending upon the job family.