Advanced Practice Nurse (Nurse Practitioner) Cardiology

Veterans Health Administration • Wilmington, DE

10h

About The Position

The Advanced Practice Nurse (Nurse Practitioner) is responsible for the Outpatient Cardiology Clinic, oversight of cardiology specialties, and coverage for the cardiac stress lab when applicable. The position uses advanced skills in identifying and clarifying problems, treatment planning, and implementing treatment plans for Veterans with cardiac conditions. The practitioner assesses and treats General Cardiology patients, including patients with arrhythmias, obstructive heart disease, and congestive heart failure, and assesses and prescribes intravenous diuretics in inpatient or outpatient settings. The position may also involve cardiac stress testing, initial histories and physical examinations, obtaining consent, and documenting procedures for which the practitioner is responsible.

The role coordinates timely, appropriate, high-quality, and cost-effective care for patients in Cardiology clinics; provides assessment, coordination, and planning of services for inpatients and outpatients with cardiac disease; evaluates care management services; collaborates with Cardiology attending physicians, fellows, Primary Care, and other specialties; and provides clinical support to nursing and medical support staff. The practitioner safely prescribes interventions and treatments, including medication, and is accountable for health promotion, illness and disability prevention, diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic conditions, and management across acute and chronic phases of illness. Consultation and collaboration with other health care providers and assigned quality assurance support are also part of the role.

This is not a virtual position. The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 0800–1630, with a flexible schedule when needed. Ad hoc telework is available. Relocation and recruitment incentives are not authorized. The position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to program eligibility and approval. The potential award is up to $200,000, with an eligibility period of one to five years; the application must be submitted within four months of appointment. Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply.

Requirements

• Post-master's certificate, master's degree, or doctoral degree as a Nurse Practitioner.
• Graduate of an approved school of professional nursing accredited by ACEN or CCNE at the time the program was completed; applicable foreign education must have validated degree equivalency.
• Maintain an active, current, full, and unrestricted APN license to practice as a Nurse Practitioner in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.
• Maintain current, full basic board certification in an approved Nurse Practitioner specialty from ANCC, AANPCB, or another nationally recognized certifying body in the area of academic preparation.
• For Nurse Practitioner III qualification, have one year of specialized APN (NP) experience equivalent to Nurse II.
• Meet the applicable Nurse Practitioner grade-level requirements, including evidence-based clinical practice, patient or program outcomes, leadership, professional development, and professional communication and collaboration.
• U.S. citizenship, except where appointment of a non-citizen is permitted under VA policy.
• Proficiency in basic written and spoken English for direct patient care.
• Complete required pre-employment screening and conditions, including drug testing when applicable, background/security investigation, physical evaluation, influenza vaccination program participation, and onboarding requirements.

Nice To Haves

• At least three years of outpatient general cardiology experience is strongly preferred.
• Ability to practice autonomously, including independent ordering and interpretation of diagnostics, medication management, and treatment planning without reliance on a supervising Cardiology Attending.
• Inpatient, procedural, or perioperative cardiology experience will be considered, although direct outpatient clinic experience is strongly preferred.
• Experience within the Veterans Health Administration, including familiarity with CPRS, is preferred.
• Prior telehealth service delivery experience is preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate care for Cardiology clinic patients to ensure care is timely, appropriate, high quality, and cost effective.
• Provide assessment, coordination, and planning of health care services for inpatients and outpatients with cardiac diseases.
• Evaluate care management services and collaborate with Cardiology attending physicians, fellows, Primary Care, and other specialties.
• Provide clinical support to RNs, LPNs, and MSAs in the Cardiology Service.
• Safely prescribe interventions and treatments, including medications.
• Promote health; prevent illness and disability; diagnose and treat acute and chronic conditions; and manage care during acute and chronic phases of illness.
• Consult and collaborate with other health care providers.
• Perform assigned quality assurance support.
• Assess patients and prescribe intravenous diuretics in inpatient or outpatient settings.
• Assess and treat General Cardiology patients, particularly those with arrhythmias, obstructive heart disease, and congestive heart failure.
• Perform cardiac stress testing.
• Perform initial histories and physical examinations.
• Obtain consent and document procedures for which the practitioner is responsible.
• Provide coverage for the cardiac stress lab when applicable.
• Work on a flexible schedule when needed.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), with a potential award of up to $200,000 subject to eligibility and approval.
• Competitive salary, regular salary increases, and potential performance awards.
• 50 days of paid time off per year: 26 days annual leave, 13 days sick leave, and 11 paid Federal holidays.
• Traditional federal pension with five-year vesting and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level