NP-112: Onboarding advanced practice providers to myeloma clinical teams

Abstract

<h3>Background</h3> Advanced practice providers (APP), also known as nurse practitioners and physician assistants, are essential members of the multidisciplinary myeloma care team. APP's within our organization train and specialize in myeloma specific clinics practicing at the top of their license with independent schedules collaborating with their physician colleagues. APP's working in clinic have independent schedules, participate in clinical research, and run a malignant hematology procedure clinic. We also have dedicated APPs working on our inpatient service. As our myeloma program continues to grow, we have developed a distinct advanced practice provider orientation and onboarding program to better prepare our new team members. <h3>Methods</h3> The APP leadership team reviewed the current onboarding process, performed a literature review of onboarding best practices, and developed an onboarding structure for newly hired APPs. All APPs were evaluated at 1 month, 2 months, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, and 12 months during the first year of employment. Each new APP was assigned a preceptor/mentor, an orientation/onboarding timeline, and competency tools. Employment satisfaction, retention, and productivity were measured during each time frame. <h3>Results</h3> Over the last three years our institution has onboarded 16 new APPs to our myeloma program in both outpatient and inpatient clinical settings. Our competency tools specifically outlined expected reading materials, number of patients seen each week, and number of procedures to be completed by the end of orientation. At this point we have successfully integrated new advance practice providers into the team and have a retention rate of 81%. One APP did not make it through orientation, one left after 2 years and went to work at another hospital, and one left after a year due to pregnancy. <h3>Conclusion</h3> Having a dedicated approach to onboarding APPs in the myeloma program, increases productivity and patient access to care. Our myeloma APP providers are integrated into the clinical setting from the beginning and are given a period of training and ramp up allowing them to practice at the top of their license. Having independent schedules has been essential for APP job satisfaction and retention. Collaboration between the APP and myeloma physician is essential as is the relationship of the multidisciplinary team which includes nursing, research, and a clinical pharmacist. We evaluated our competencies on a yearly basis to ensure that our APPs are learning the information as it pertains to the changes in landscape of myeloma diagnosis and treatments. The success of our onboarding process has led to higher retention rates and increased job satisfaction, making our APPs experts in the field of myeloma.