JOB TITLE: Advanced Practice Provider, Rapid Access Clinics for Low Back Pain (formerly ISAEC)
REPORTS TO: Practice Leader
LOCATION: TCLHIN – Toronto West and Mid-West Regions
STATUS: Clinic location to be provided by clinician
COMPENSATION: Assessment Based Compensation
Become part of the future of Musculoskeletal (MSK) care
Musculoskeletal (MSK) Rapid Access Clinics (RACs) have been successfully implemented across the province to help people with MSK pain access the right treatment faster. This work stems from the successful pilot program: Inter-professional Spine Assessment and Education Clinics (ISAEC) for low back pain.
Rapid Access Clinic for Low Back Pain (RAC-LBP) is an innovative, upstream, shared-care model of care in which patients receive rapid low back pain assessment, education and evidence-based self-management plans. It is designed to decrease the prevalence of unmanageable chronic low back pain, reduce opioid initiation, and reduce unnecessary diagnostic imaging as well as unnecessary specialist referral. The low back pain RAC is specifically for patients with: (1) persistent low back pain and/or related symptoms (e.g. sciatica, neurogenic claudication) 6 weeks to 12 months post-onset; and (2) recurrent/episodic unmanageable low back pain and/or related symptoms of less than 12 months post-recurrence.
The University Health Network – Toronto Western Hospital is coordinating the RAC-LBP within the Toronto Central LHIN West and Mid-West regions. Please reference the geographical maps below to determine if your practice locations falls within the West and Mid-West regions.
Map of the sub-regions of the Toronto Central LHIN http://www.torontocentrallhin.on.ca/forhsps/subregions.aspx
The University Health Network – Toronto Western Hospital is currently recruiting low back pain Advanced Practice Providers (APPs). As a member of a RAC, the APP acts as the first and primary point of contact for consultation and assessment of referred patients; provides a defined program of care to the patient with an emphasis on education, self-management and health promotion strategies; develops a collaborative care plan with the patient and their primary care provider and documents progress against the care plan; and identifies signs and symptoms requiring a change in the plan of care, diagnostic imaging/testing, or referral to a physician specialist.
The APP is a skilled clinician, with requisite entry to practice training in a regulated health discipline and will be responsible for delivering rapid patient assessment and education for this specific population of low back pain patients, from their respective practice location.
The APP will be connected to a Clinical Sponsor (physician specialist) and Practice Leader who will provide clinical guidance and advanced low back pain education. Additionally, all APPs will be connected through a centralized referral and case management system. Please note that successful candidates must complete both practical (in person 2 days/week for 4 weeks) and theoretical training (1 week online) in low back pain topics.
QUALIFICATIONS
At least 4 years of clinical experience following completion of an accredited, entry-to- practice program in, a regulated health profession, required.
Including, at least 1 year of clinical experience in the musculoskeletal-spine area, required.
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS/MEMBERSHIPS
Member in good standing of respective professional/legislative college at the provincial level, required.
Member of related national/provincial professional association preferred.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Expert Practice
Acts as the first and primary point of contact for consultation and assessment of referred patients with low back pain.
Provides specialized care, education and counseling for patients.
Performs a medical history, physical and health status for patients.
Conducts comprehensive assessment and communication of a diagnosis.
Determines the suitability and eligibility of patients for surgical assessment.
Differentiates between inflammatory and non-inflammatory conditions.
Has a broad understanding of indications for different evidence-based treatments for low back
pain.
Identifies signs and symptoms of undiagnosed medical conditions requiring a referral to diagnostic imaging/testing and/or referral to a physician specialist in accordance with established RAC-LBP guidelines.
Initiates communication and appropriate surgical and non-surgical referrals based on
Established RAC-LBP assessment and referral guidelines.
Establishes, communicates and documents clinical impressions/medical diagnoses within defined scope of practice.
Develops plan of care in collaboration with the patient/family and primary care provider.
Documents plan of care according to established RAC-LBP guidelines.
Communicates internally and externally to facilitate plan of care (i.e. other health care
professionals).
Evaluates and revises the plan of care in collaboration with patient/family and primary
care provider.
Communicates specific medical diagnoses to primary care provider.
Utilizes a patient-centered care approach consistent with patient goals, needs and values.
2. Teaching and Learning
Participates in RAC-LBP sponsored regional and central education and training events.
Collaborates with the RAC-LBP team to identify learning needs of patients and primary care
providers.
Provides formal and informal education internally and externally to RAC-LBP team members
and primary care providers.
Facilitates knowledge transfer and evidence-based practice.
3. Organization Responsibilities
Acts as an active member of the RAC-LBP.
Accountable to align activities and performance with strategic goals and objectives of
the RAC-LBP.
Adheres to the RAC-LBP standards, policies and procedures, including centralized referral and clinic management system processes.
Participates in quality and performance management activities.
Participates in policy and procedure development.
4. Program Evaluation
In collaboration with RAC-LBP colleagues, enables, implements and conducts evaluation of clinical services related to the program.
5. Performs other duties consistent with the APP role, as assigned or requested.