Surgical Nurse Practitioner – Orthopedic Spine Program

Advocate Aurora Health

. Evaluate, diagnose, treat, and manage acute, critical, and chronic patient illnesses and diseases in outpatient clinic and inpatient hospital settings .

Posted 10/27/2026full-timeAurora • Wisconsin • United StatesMid-LevelSenior💰 $55 - $82 per hourWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

Use this summary to align your resume positioning with the role.

Demonstrates expertise in evaluating, diagnosing, and managing acute and chronic patient conditions, while providing clinical direction and education to patients and nursing staff. Holds relevant certifications and licenses to ensure compliance with healthcare standards and practices.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Physician Assistant LicensePhysician Assistant Certification (PA-C)Registered Nurse LicenseDrug Enforcement Administration (DEA) RegistrationBasic Life Support (BLS) Certification

ATS Keywords

Tailor your resume

Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Hard Skills

Patient EvaluationDifferential DiagnosisMedication PrescriptionMinor SurgeryDiagnostic Study InterpretationPatient Care Plan ManagementClinical ProficiencyTherapy Plan AdjustmentPatient EducationAncillary Services Coordination

Soft Skills

Excellent Communication SkillsOrganizational SkillsTeam CollaborationDecision-Making SkillsRelationship Building

Tools & Technologies

Medical Equipment OperationPatient Record Management Systems

Certifications & Qualifications

Physician Assistant LicensePhysician Assistant Certification (PA-C)Registered Nurse LicenseNurse Practitioner Certification (ANCC or AANP)Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) RegistrationBasic Life Support (BLS) Certification

Industry Keywords

Acute CareChronic Illness ManagementOutpatient ClinicInpatient HospitalPatient ManagementPreventive Health MeasuresClinical RotationsHealthcare TeamPatient SafetyHealth Care Standards

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Evaluate, diagnose, treat, and manage acute, critical, and chronic patient illnesses and diseases in outpatient clinic and inpatient hospital settings
Obtain medical histories, conduct physical examinations, and determine differential diagnoses
Prescribe medications, therapy, and treatments
Interpret and evaluate patient data to determine patient management and treatment
Perform minor surgeries and routine procedures
Consult with physicians as appropriate
Order, perform, and interpret diagnostic studies within the trained clinical specialty
Adjust patient care plans by reviewing and monitoring treatments and therapy plans
Counsel, instruct, and educate patients on diet, preventive health measures, health behaviors, self-care, diseases, treatment options, and growth and development
Coordinate ancillary services, pre-operative plans, discharge planning, provider referrals, and medical devices
Prescribe, recommend, and regulate pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic therapies, including warranted controlled medications
Prepare, dictate, and sign patient care plans and summaries
Maintain patient records according to established standards and guidelines
Provide clinical direction to nursing staff and follow through to ensure recommended care
Provide age-appropriate care based on patient status and departmental policies and procedures
Operate all equipment necessary to perform the job

Requirements

What you’ll need

Physician Assistant license issued by the state in which the caregiver practices
Physician Assistant (PA-C) certification issued by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA)
Registered Nurse license issued by the state in which the caregiver practices
Nurse Practitioner (ANCC) certification issued by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), or Nurse Practitioner (AANP) certification issued by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP)
Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) registration
Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers certification issued by the American Heart Association (AHA); may obtain within 6 months based on department discretion
Bachelor's Degree in Physician Assistant or Master's Degree in Nursing
Experience as an APP in Ortho or clinical rotations preferred
Demonstrated high level of clinical proficiency and excellent decision-making skills
Ability to work independently and as an effective member of a health care team
Excellent oral and written communication skills
Ability to effectively collaborate and establish/build relationships with others
Proven organizational skills and ability to prioritize effectively
Ability to stand, walk, bend, stoop, and twist continuously throughout the workday
Ability to lift up to 50 lbs from floor to waist, lift up to 20 lbs over the head, and carry up to 40 lbs a reasonable distance
Ability to push/pull with 30 lbs of force and perform a sliding transfer of 150 lbs with a second person present
Ability to work around mechanical, electrical, chemical, radiation, blood, and body-fluid hazards using protective equipment

Benefits

Comp & perks

Continuing medical education flexibility
Structured on-boarding program for new graduates and practicing APCs
On-going professional development
Competitive salary and benefits
Premium pay such as shift, on call, and more based on a teammate's job
Incentive pay for select positions
Opportunity for annual increases based on performance
Paid Time Off programs
Health and welfare benefits such as medical, dental, vision, life, and Short- and Long-Term Disability
Flexible Spending Accounts for eligible health care and dependent care expenses
Family benefits such as adoption assistance and paid parental leave
Defined contribution retirement plans with employer match and other financial wellness programs
Educational Assistance Program