POSITION SUMMARY:

The department of Cardiothoracic Surgery is seeking two full-time PA/ARNPs for the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery. These positions will primarily provide perioperative care for surgical patients in the operating room, including first-assist responsibilities. These APPs may also participate in the care of hospitalized and ambulatory patients and assist with inpatient unit needs as required. Manage length of stay, improve resource utilization, and decrease costs to patients and the institution while providing personalized care to the cardiothoracic surgery patients within the Department of Surgery and UI Heart and Vascular Center. To be part of a team that cares for the cardiac and thoracic patient population across the continuum of care, pre-procedure, intraoperative and post-operative management. These positions require weekend, holiday and night call coverage responsibilities as clinically indicated.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES:

Clinical

• Provide comprehensive medical and surgical management of patients residing within the cardiothoracic surgery service, as well as patients that are managed collaboratively with other services such Anesthesia, Cardiology, and Critical Care.
• Facilitate timely admissions, discharges and transfers.
• Obtain complete health and medical histories form the patient and family.
• Perform comprehensive physical exams on patients.
• Exhibit current and comprehensive knowledge of vascular, cardiac and thoracic diseases.
• Assess and facilitate referrals and consultation per patient needs.
• Demonstrate accountability for evaluation of clinical practice including adherence to organizational, state, and national practice standards and codes.
• Perform medical diagnosis, therapeutic procedures, and prescribes medications as clinically indicated for patient care.
• Order and evaluate lab, x-ray, EKG, echo, and other tests as clinically indicated.
• Provide anticipatory guidance and counseling to patients and families receiving vascular/thoracic/cardiac surgery.
• Document patient assessment and plan of care in the electronic medical record and generate appropriate health reports for outgoing correspondence.
• Attend rounds/bed huddles in the ICUs and step-down units.
• Function as first assist in the OR with invasive procedures including but not limited to endovascular vein harvesting, and central line placement.
• Insert and remove chest tubes, discontinues epicardial wires and documents procedures in the electronic medical record.
• Manage intra-aortic balloon pumps and discontinue as clinically indicated.
• Perform Extracorporeal Life Support Device management and device interrogation.

Consultation

• Serve in a consultative and resource capacity to other divisions, departments and health care professionals as needed for management of cardiac, vascular and thoracic patients.
• Provide expert knowledge and model behavioral skills that appropriately impact clinical practice and patient outcomes.

Education

• Provide education and serve as a resource for nursing staff, medical and advanced practice provider students, and residents in area of clinical expertise.
• Participate in the development, utilization and evaluation of resources to meet patient/family educational needs.
• Contribute to professional sharing of expertise and knowledge with others.
• Participate in thoracic, cardiac and vascular surgery conferences and presentations.
• Maintain necessary continuing medical/nursing education requirements for licensure.

Administration

• Contribute toward the achievement of divisional and departmental goals.
• Perform other projects or tasks designated by supervisor.

Research/QA/QI

• Participate in the development and implementation of divisional and departmental QA/QI/research programs.
• Participate in consent and protocols for clinical trials/research projects in conjunction with other disciplines.
• Complete and update clinical data collection, assist with the maintenance of Society of Thoracic Surgery registry and other databases.
• Participate in thoracic, cardiac and vascular surgery research projects.

Professional Responsibilities

• Participate in clinically relevant activities and attend UI Health Care APP council meetings and other conferences to enhance clinical and professional expertise.
• Maintain national and state licensing and certification requirements.
• Maintain current compliances (University, UI Health Care, Departmental etc.) as required.

Supervision Received

• Clinical practice oversight received from the assigned collaborating physician. Functional and administrative oversight received from the APP lead.

Minimum Eligibility Requirements
Physician Associate
• Must comply with registration and licensure requirements as specified by the Iowa Board of Physician Associate Examiners which include graduation from accredited PA educational program and certification by the NCCPA.
• Eligible to be licensed by the State of Iowa to perform as a Physician Associate. Certification by the NCCPA.
--OR-
Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP)
• A Master's degree is required. A Master's degree in Nursing is preferred. If Master's degree is in a related field, a Baccalaureate degree in nursing is required.
• Current board certification in specialty area and licensure as an ARNP in the State of Iowa.
• Reasonable (1-3 years) experience in area of clinical practice is required or previous experience in specified hospital specialty area or demonstrated knowledge of area of clinical practice.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Professional job-related experience fostering or promoting a welcoming and respectful work/academic environment where people of all backgrounds and perspectives feel welcomed and appreciated; or demonstrated the ability to do so.

Highly Desirable qualification
• Considerable (3-5 years) experience in clinical Cardiothoracic surgery, with 1-3 years of this experience as an Advanced Practice Provider in ICU or Cardiothoracic surgery.

Desired qualifications:
• Experience with patient and staff education.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement new programs.
• Prior procedural or operating training/experience
• Experience with evidence-based practice or research utilization.
• Participation in professional PA/ARNP organizations.

In order to be considered, applicants must upload a resume and cover letter (under submission relevant materials) that clearly address how they meet the listed required and desired qualifications of this position.

Job openings are posted for a minimum of 7 calendar days.

Contact [email protected] with any questions or inquiries regarding this position opening.