Description

Summary

• This cardiothoracic midlevel could be either a Nurse practitioner (NP) or Physician Assistant. The midlevel provider will work to the highest degree of their scope. 
•  Midlevel will participate in equitable call schedule, typically 1 in 4.
•  They will be responsible for assuring quality care and best practice for select cardiothoracic surgery patients in collaboration with their supervising surgeon.
•   Midlevel will ensure patients receive appropriate and timely assessments, consult, treatments, education, and disposition to support the quality initiatives of the cardiovascular service line which reflects best practice. This includes but is not limited to the CMS, ACC, STS, and other top performer initiatives. 
•  Midlevel will directly assist with surgery operations, critical care, triage and stabilization, perioperative preparation, caretaker communication, practice/office clinic, discharge, and postoperative clinical management- in collaboration with other health care team members. 
• The PA/NP will work with the hospital staff to facilitate throughput for patient flow and timely discharge. 
•  The NP/PA shall attend professional education programs to keep current with accepted changes in practice and to satisfy continuing education requirements of the state.

Education

Masters of Nursing – Required

 Experience

•  2 Years Cardiothoracic Surgery patient care – Strongly Preferred
•  Surgical Experience/ First assisting experience required (endoscopic)
• Radial vein harvest preferred 
• Cardiac, CCU, CVICU, or ICU Experience Strongly preferred 

License & Certification

• APRN or Physician Assistant license, Georgia - Required
• Advanced Practice License and national board certification in the specialty area is preferred 
• Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) – Required

Core Job Functions

• Obtains a complete history and physical on new patients. Charts and dictates progress notes appropriately. Confers with physician on patients presenting with more complex problems.
•  Prescribes medications that are necessary to control medical condition. Refers patient to specialist when necessary. Orders lab work, radiology studies as needed to better assess the patient's condition.
•  Assist in surgery both in an in-patient and out-patient setting. Performs procedures as directed by the CT surgeon.
• Works up new patients to include admissions, consults and discharge summaries. Round on patients as directed by the vascular surgeon and effectively communicates plan of care and results to patient and families.
• Reviews all lab and radiology reports and consult notes and reviews with physician when a question arises. Notifies practice staff/patient/caretakers of patient treatment plan, test results, post-surgical education, surgical plans, etc.