Schedule:
Monday–Friday
Option of four 10½-hour shifts or five 8½-hour shifts
Practice Setting:
Hospital Outpatient Department
Focus:
Evaluation and longitudinal management of patients with movement disorders
Outpatient APP Responsibilities
The Advanced Practice Provider functions as an integral member of the Movement Disorders team and provides comprehensive outpatient care, including:
- Obtain detailed medical histories and symptom timelines
- Perform comprehensive neurological and movement disorder examinations
- Assess gait, balance, tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia, dystonia, and functional status
- Order and interpret diagnostic studies and laboratory testing
- Develop differential diagnoses and treatment recommendations
- Manage medications and monitor treatment response
- Coordinate multidisciplinary care and specialty referrals
- Provide patient and caregiver education
- Document care in accordance with regulatory and quality standards
- Practice Model
- APPs work collaboratively with Movement Disorders Neurologists to provide comprehensive care for patients with:
- Parkinson's disease
- Atypical parkinsonian syndromes
- Essential tremor
- Dystonia
- Huntington's disease
- Tic disorders
- Ataxia
- Functional movement disorders
- Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) pre- and post-operative management
- Botulinum toxin therapy follow-up and care coordination
- The practice emphasizes continuity of care, timely patient access, caregiver support, and multidisciplinary collaboration to optimize quality of life for patients living with chronic neurological conditions.
- Core APP Responsibilities
- Clinical Evaluation
- Perform comprehensive neurological and movement disorder assessments, identify disease progression, recognize red-flag symptoms, and collaborate with physicians regarding complex presentations and treatment decisions.
- Diagnostics and Care Coordination
- Order and interpret diagnostic studies, coordinate specialty referrals, facilitate rehabilitation services, and ensure seamless transitions across the continuum of care.
- Medication and Treatment Management
Initiate, titrate, and monitor medications commonly used in movement disorders, including dopaminergic therapies and adjunctive treatments. Monitor for adverse effects, provide patient education, and support medication adherence.
Symptom and Supportive Care
Address motor and non-motor symptoms including gait dysfunction, falls, cognitive concerns, sleep disorders, autonomic dysfunction, mood symptoms, fatigue, and caregiver burden through multidisciplinary collaboration.
Interprofessional and Operational Roles
Independently manage follow-up visits for stable patients, support urgent access needs, participate in quality improvement initiatives, and contribute to efficient clinic operations.
Education and Care Transitions
Provide disease-specific education, lifestyle counseling, safety guidance, caregiver support, and referrals to therapy services, community resources, and specialty programs as appropriate.
