Open Rank Instructor - Sr Instructor/Spine APP at UCHealth Highland Ranch Hospital

Job Summary:

The Department of Neurosurgery at the University of Colorado School of Medicine (CU-SOM) has a fulltime (1 FTE) clinical faculty position available for an Advanced Practice Provider. The Advanced Practice Provider (APP) will be a clinical faculty member of the CU-SOM, entering at the level of Instructor.

This position would be working directly with Dr. Daniel Craig, partnering with him in his practice based primarily at Highlands Ranch Hospital.

Based at HRH, he also has clinic/OR time at the Cherry Creek CU Medicine facility. This position is ideal for someone who enjoys the spectrum of clinical care, embraces the challenge of engaging with a range of straightforward and complex pathologies and patients, prioritizes professionalism and collegiality, and is looking to build a practice together based on clear communication, flexibility, and trust.

The vision for this position is partnership - shared ownership of patients and creatively shaping a long-term professional relationship together. History of caring for pre and post op neurosurgical patients and operative experience will be assets in this position. Clear, effective, and timely clinical and professional communications are a must, and maturity, independence, and compassion for our patients are a priority.

This APP would join our excellent team of CU Neurosurgery APP's connecting with the community of practitioners at HRH, Anschutz, and other sites. They are a huge resource for professional support, career advancement, and collegial community. Dr. Craig would be the direct report for clinical and administrative supervision as well as work and vacation schedules, day-to-day expectations, and metrics for evaluation as needed while communication lines would always be open through our APP leads and senior department leadership. Dr. Craig's practice includes complex and minimally invasive spine procedures but also stretches to encompass other areas of general neurosurgery including brain and peripheral nerve cases.

Key Responsibilities:

• Clinical support in outpatient, inpatient, and OR settings

• Working together with Dr. Craig and the CU Med and UC Health teams on administration and scheduling

• Outpatient clinic will encompass both co-working simultaneous surgeon/app days as well as an independent APP clinic

• Inpatient work spans seeing new consults, rounding on post op patients, coordinating discharges, and communicating with consulting services at times.

• Opportunities for first assist operating time helping with exposures and closures and an expectation of facility in coordinating pre and post op admissions and orders.

• Working closely with Dr. Craig to ensure proper appointment scheduling, results communication with patients

• Coordinating clinic and surgical schedules with the relevant admin staff from hospital and outpatient clinics.

Work Location:

Onsite - this role is expected to work onsite and is located in Highlands Ranch, CO.

Why Join Us:

Our department has a history of excellence and stability in the Denver area. This is the perfect time to join with the energy of a new chairman and fresh opportunities at facilities expanding our footprint on a foundation of decades of clinical and academic neurosurgical achievement. A partnership with Dr. Craig here offers a unique opportunity to build a bespoke practice with a high degree of autonomy in the rhythm of a community provider with an open door to the academic and professional resources of the premier healthcare institution in the state. CU has a very competitive benefits package, and a history of leading the way when it comes to APP integration into modern healthcare.

Why work for the University?

We have AMAZING benefits and offer exceptional amounts of holiday, vacation and sick leave! The University of Colorado offers an excellent benefits package including:

• Medical: Multiple plan options
• Dental: Multiple plan options
• Additional Insurance: Disability, Life, Vision
• Retirement 401(a) Plan: Employer contributes 10% of your gross pay
• Paid Time Off: Accruals over the year
• Vacation Days: 22/year (maximum accrual 352 hours)
• Sick Days: 15/year (unlimited maximum accrual)
• Holiday Days: 10/year
• Tuition Benefit: Employees have access to this benefit on all CU campuses
• ECO Pass: Reduced rate RTD Bus and light rail service

There are many additional perks & programs with the CU Advantage.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time of hire.

This is an open rank position and could be categorized as Instructor or Senior Instructor based on experience and qualifications as indicated below:

Instructor

• Graduate of an accredited school of nursing with a master's degree in advanced Practice Nursing (Acute Care NP) or a graduate of an accredited program in Physician Assistant Studies
• Current active license to practice in the state of Colorado as an Advanced Practice Nurse or Physician Assistant. Prescriptive authority is required.
• Currently credentialed as an APN or PA by the appropriate national certifying body.
• 2 years of experience in outpatient and inpatient care and OR surgical assist

Senior Instructor

• Graduate of an accredited school of nursing with a master's degree in advanced Practice Nursing (Acute Care NP) or a graduate of an accredited program in Physician Assistant Studies
• Current active license to practice in the state of Colorado as an Advanced Practice Nurse or Physician Assistant. Prescriptive authority is required.
• Currently credentialed as an APN or PA by the appropriate national certifying body.
• 4 years of experience in outpatient and inpatient care and OR surgical assist

Preferred Qualifications:

Instructor:

• 1 year experience in surgical subspecialty

Senior Instructor

• 3 years' experience in surgical subspecialty

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to communicate effectively, both in writing and verbally
• Proven ability to care for high acuity, high complexity patients
• Desire to assist with neurosurgical procedures
• Ability to work individually and as a team to support team-based medical care in an APP/Physician/Resident Physician model

How to Apply:

For full consideration, please submit the following document(s):

1. A letter of interest describing relevant job experiences as they relate to listed job qualifications and interest in the position

2. Curriculum vitae / Resume

3. Five professional references including name, address, phone number (mobile number if appropriate), and email address

Applications are accepted electronically ONLY at www.cu.edu/cu-careers.

Questions should be directed to: Krystin Martinez; krystin.martinez@cuanschutz.edu

Screening of Applications Begins:

Screening begins immediately and continues until filled. For best consideration, apply by August 29, 2025

Anticipated Pay Range:

The starting salary range (or hiring range) for this position has been established as HIRING RANGE:

Instructor: $113,983-- $147,846

Senior Instructor: $120,420-$152,281

The above salary range (or hiring range) represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. This position is not eligible for overtime compensation unless it is non-exempt.

Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. The University of Colorado provides generous leave, health plans and retirement contributions that add to your bottom line.

Total Compensation Calculator: http://www.cu.edu/node/153125

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

The University of Colorado (CU) is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

ADA Statement:

The University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities throughout the employment application process. To request an accommodation pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact the Human Resources ADA Coordinator at hr.adacoordinator@ucdenver.edu.

Background Check Statement:

The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus is dedicated to ensuring a safe and secure environment for our faculty, staff, students and visitors. To assist in achieving that goal, we conduct background investigations for all prospective employees.

Vaccination Statement:

CU Anschutz strongly encourages vaccination against the COVID-19 virus and other vaccine preventable diseases. If you work, visit, or volunteer in healthcare facilities or clinics operated by our affiliated hospital or clinical partners or by CU Anschutz, you will be required to comply with the vaccination and medical surveillance policies of the facilities or clinics where you work, visit, or volunteer, respectively. In addition, if you work in certain research areas or perform certain safety sensitive job duties, you must enroll in the occupational health medical surveillance program.