Position Objective: The role will support the Division of Intramural Research (DIR) for the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)/National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, MD

Duties and Responsibilities:

Obtain informed consent/assent of adult and pediatric dermatology patients on research protocols; maintain informed consent documentation; ensure adherence to institutional policies and procedures.
Screen patients for entry onto research protocols; determine patient eligibility for study enrollment based on thorough patient interviews and review of medical records.
Obtain medical histories and perform physical examinations; place medical orders; review laboratory results for normal and abnormal findings.
Create timelines and calendars of protocol related requirements by study visit (e.g., procedures, interventions, diagnostic tests, laboratory blood work); create order sets for CRIS computer systems; input orders for individual patients; schedule visits.
Track protocol-related study data (e.g., physical exams, medical histories, current medications, adverse events, results of diagnostic tests and lab data); transcribe into case report forms.
Monitor and document subjects’ response to therapy; grade and complete written documentation of adverse events; communicate findings to appropriate personnel (e.g., principal investigators, IRB, FDA, others) with recommendations for appropriate intervention.
Contribute to the analysis of study data; participate in the publishing of findings.
Recruit healthy subjects and patients; interview subjects to obtain social, medical/surgery and autoimmune diseases history, and medication history.
Perform in-depth medical assessments of patients; analyze trends in patient conditions; identify problems; alter treatment regimens in keeping with research protocols when appropriate (including abnormal lab values).
Review patients’ charts to collect relevant clinical data such as laboratory test results, alter treatment regimens in keeping with research protocols when appropriate (including changes in dosage of protocol medications, suspension of patient’s participation in a protocol, order additional diagnostic tests, refer patient to a standard treatment in a community setting).
Analyze recurring trends that might result in new protocols or modifications of existing protocols.
Perform comprehensive patient management services as appropriate, including writing admission, transfer and discharge orders; order and interpret diagnostic tests; document through in-depth progress notes and dictation summaries.
Provide skillful monitoring of patients for possible adverse reactions to drugs or procedures that may require emergency treatment or revision of prescribed regimen; perform emergency management procedures on unstable patients; initiate emergency measures; interpret observations to physicians.
Receive and respond to inquiries from referring physicians, private hospital staff and patients regarding the diagnosis and eligibility for research protocols.
Maintain contact with patients and referring physicians to explain patient’s condition and symptoms; interpret results of laboratory tests; discuss the future status of patients who have participated in the studies.
Follow up on patients throughout study to schedule tests, follow up exams, and admissions.
Present data at clinical staff meetings.
Evaluate, diagnose and develop a treatment plan for patients seen in Dermatology consultation.
Follow-up on biopsy results and other test results following consultation and communicate these results to the Attending physician and the referring team.

DELIVERABLES. Upon request, the contractor shall provide documentation evidence of any and/or all work product, including, but not limited to, the following tasks:

Work products and documents related to recruiting healthy subjects and patients; interview subjects; obtain social, medical/surgical, autoimmune and medication history; perform physical examinations; place medical orders; review lab results.
Work products and documents related to performing medical assessments of patients; review patient charts; analyze trends in patient conditions; identify problems; alter treatments as necessary.
Work products and documents related to performing comprehensive patient management services; write admission, transfer and discharge orders; order and interpret diagnostic tests; document in notes and dictation summaries; monitor patients for adverse reactions; initiate emergency measures as necessary.
Work products and documents related to data collection, patient education and counseling; receive and respond to inquiries; coordinate and ensure collection of specimens and testing.
Work products and documents related to contact with patients and referring physicians; discuss future status of patients; follow up on patients throughout study; schedule tests, follow up exams, transportation and admissions; present data at clinical staff meetings.

Basic Qualifications:

Current certification in Basic Life Support (BLS) required.

For Physician Assistant---current certification by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) and current license as a Physician Assistant in the state of Maryland, or, if licensed in another state, documentation that a Maryland license is pending.
Must be a graduate of an accredited physician assistant program.

For Nurse Practitioner--- current license as a Certified Registered Family Nurse Practitioner in the state of Maryland, or, if licensed in another state, documentation that a Maryland license is pending. Individual must be credentialed to provide care for both adults and children.
Must be a graduate of an accredited Nurse Practitioner program.

Minimum Qualifications:

Experience in Dermatology field preferred, but not required.
Strong communications skills, both oral and written.
Excellent analytical, organizational and time management skills.

National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) jobs

Physician Assistant or Nurse Practitioner