APP Cardiac Surgery

Physician Assistant/Nurse Practitioner (PA/NP) Cardiac Surgery

The Physician Assistant/Nurse Practitioner (PA/NP) Cardiac Surgery provides operative (pre, intra and post) care to patients. Under the auspices of a designated supervising physician(s), the PA/NP Cardiac Surgery applies in depth knowledge, expert skill, and clinical judgment in first assisting the surgeon with performing complex surgical procedures. Additionally, the PA/NP Cardiac Surgery provides care as needed in the inpatient and outpatient clinical settings and participates in call coverage with the cardiac surgeons and advanced practice providers. Demonstrate respect, dignity, kindness, and empathy in each encounter with all patients, families, visitors and other employees regardless of cultural background.

Job Summary:

• Provide care to patients including assessment, comprehensive evaluation, interpretation of diagnostic data, and coordination of patient plans of care as well as staff, patient, and caregiver education.
• Participates in call coverage with the cardiac surgeons and other advance practice providers as assigned.
• Arrive a minimum of 15 minutes prior to case start time to assist with prepping and draping.
• Demonstrates aseptic technique while providing care to perioperative patients utilizing advanced surgical instruments, including cardiac and cardiac robotic instrumentation and technology. Under direction of surgeon(s), completes and/or assists with procedures including but not limited to endoscopic harvesting of saphenous vein(s) for bypass procedures, tissue dissection and exposure, sternal wiring and wound closure, cannulation and decannulation, placement of drains, placement and removal of small bore chest tubes, placement of central lines, provision of hemostasis, wound exposure, handling of tissue to reduce possible injury, suturing, and application of wound dressings.
• As directed, make daily inpatient rounds and record pertinent patient progress in charts.
• Perform histories and physicals.
• Write orders in hospital charts for review and counter signature by surgeon.
• Write standing orders as directed by supervising surgeon.
• Record pertinent data on patient charts for signature by surgeon.
• Provide preliminary assessment and interpretation of various diagnostic studies including laboratory tests, electrocardiograms, and radiologic studies.
• Initiate consultation and monitor patients for special tests.
• Dictate or write progress notes and discharge summaries.
• As needed, perform postoperative follow-up care inpatient and ambulatory to include:
• Remove sutures, staples
• Incise and drain superficial skin infections
• Debride, suture care for superficial wounds
• Change/remove wound dressings
• Administer medication upon request of supervising surgeon
• Initiate emergency resuscitation and stabilization measures on any patient as required
• Change postoperative or neckline dressings
• Provide patient education and discharge instructions.
• Arrange patient admissions and dismissals to include referral of patients to appropriate healthcare facilities, agencies, other resources in the community or other physicians.
• Communicates with families, employers, institutions and other health care providers regarding patient's treatment and status.

Planning/Organizing/Initiating:

• Organize and prioritize clinical responsibilities to maximize time, efficiency, and productivity. Implement and evaluate progress toward goals for prescribed plan of care based on protocols/guidelines/pathways.
• Provide patient care information to staff and collaborate with supervising physician(s) about the patient's progress. Demonstrates flexibility, sound judgment, and adaptability in decision making/problem solving/team building to function as an effective team member.

Communication:

• Maintain effective verbal and written communication skills with all members of the healthcare team to promote continuity of care.
• Documentation in the patient's medical record regarding all treatments and interventions is clear, concise and completed in a timely manner.
• Interactions with all health care professionals are conducted in a professional manner. Keep hospital staff/management informed of pertinent information.
• Provide educational sessions / mentorship for facility staff as needed.
• Effectively communicates with patient family/significant other in a professional manner.
• Demonstrates excellent customer service skills with patients, visitors, and healthcare team.

General Work Practice:

• Maintain a safe work environment, which is conducive to and complies with all state, federal, and facility and regulatory standards, policies, and procedures.
• Maintain a current collaborative practice agreement with applicable physician(s).
• Adhere to HIPAA guidelines, professional code of ethics and appropriate billing practices in executing role.
• Participates in the quality improvement activities and community education.

Health and Safety:

• Adhere to infection control, emergency, safety, fire and disaster plans and policies, completing required initial training and updates.
• Demonstrate consistent use of standard precautions and proper body mechanics.
• Participates in accurate and complete surgical counts.
• Follow OSHA guidelines. Provide a safe environment to protect patients, visitors and facility staff.

Personal Growth and Development:

• Evaluate own educational needs and seeks to enhance knowledge base.
• Participate in professional organizations associated with area of specialty.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Education, Credentials, Licenses (PA-C):

• Graduate of an accredited Physician Assistant Program; meets the requirement for certification/re-certification by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) in appropriate specialty area.
• Licensure as a Physician Assistant in the state where work is being performed; completion of CME requirements.
• Requires Certificate of Authority and Standard Care Arrangement with collaborating physician to practice as a physician assistant.
• St. Elizabeth Medical Staff Membership & Privileges.
• DEA Certificate with prescribing/dispensing privileges in the state where work is being performed.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.

Education, Credentials, Licenses (APRN):

• Graduate of an accredited Nurse Practitioner Program- Master's degree in nursing with National Nurse Practitioner Certification in appropriate specialty area.
• Licensure as a Nurse Practitioner in the state where work is being performed including completion of CME requirements.
• Successful completion of an RNFA program and associated proctoring.
• Requires Certificate of Authority and Standard Care Arrangement with collaborating physician to practice as a nurse practitioner.
• St. Elizabeth Medical Staff Membership & Privileges.
• DEA Certificate with prescribing/dispensing privileges in the state where work is being performed.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.

Knowledge:

Expert knowledge of surgical procedures, instrumentation, and operative techniques. Experience with suturing and wound closure. Knowledge of tissue dissection/exposure, blood vessel clamping, coagulating bleeding points, ligation of vessels, saphenectomy procedures, and drain placement. Knowledge of intra-aortic balloon pump and ventricular assist device insertion techniques.

Kind and Length of Experience:

Two years of a variety of clinical experiences including acute care, surgery, and ambulatory settings.

FLSA Status:

Exempt

Right Career. Right Here. If you're looking for the right careers in healthcare, the right place to be is at St. Elizabeth. Join us, and you'll take pride in the level of care we offer our community.