Advanced Practice Professional - Cardiology
About The Position
The Advanced Practice Professional (APP) provides comprehensive cardiology care, including biological, social, and psychological assessments. The APP coordinates specialty-team involvement, develops and reviews individualized care plans with the clinical team, participates in directing care, performs diagnostic and therapeutic procedures and peri-operative services, and coordinates discharge planning and follow-up as applicable. The APP also participates in educating residents and medical and nursing students. Healthcare services must comply with state law and the requirements of relevant licensing or certification authorities and hospital privileges. This role is in the Heart and Vascular Institute and may be filled by a Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant. The position manages cardiology patients during inpatient hospitalization and immediate post-discharge ambulatory care, and contributes to patient education, clinical quality improvement, research, and professional education. The role requires West Virginia and Virginia licensure. Acute-care or cardiology experience is preferred, although eligible new graduates will be considered.
Requirements
- For Nurse Practitioner candidates: graduate of a CCNE-accredited nursing program with a Master’s Degree in Nursing.
- For Nurse Practitioner candidates: national certification by a recognized APRN certification center.
- For Nurse Practitioner candidates: licensure or eligibility for licensure as a professional Registered Nurse and Advanced Practice Registered Nurse in West Virginia.
- For Physician Assistant candidates: Bachelor’s Degree as a Medical/Surgical (as applicable) Physician Assistant.
- For Physician Assistant candidates: graduation from an ARC-PA-approved Physician Assistant training program.
- For Physician Assistant candidates: certification by the National Commission for Certification of Physician Assistants.
- For Physician Assistant candidates: licensure or eligibility for licensure by the WV Board of Medicine.
- BLS Certification; additional Advanced Life Support training may be required at the department’s discretion.
- Must obtain West Virginia and Virginia licenses for this role.
- Proficiency with computers.
- Strong communication skills.
- Ability to meet the physical demands of heavy/hard work, including lifting, moving, stooping, reaching, positioning, standing, walking, and carrying patients, materials, and equipment weighing 40 pounds or more.
Nice To Haves
- Acute-care or cardiology experience; eligible new graduates will be considered.
- For Nurse Practitioner candidates: ACNP preferred, but FNP candidates will be considered.
- For Physician Assistant candidates: Master’s-level education as a Medical/Surgical (as applicable) Physician Assistant preferred.
Responsibilities
- Manage comprehensive, individualized care for cardiology patients and their families during inpatient hospitalization and immediate post-discharge ambulatory care.
- Complete daily rounds, consultations, and pre-procedure evaluations.
- Complete integrated patient assessments and clinical evaluations, and document findings in the medical record.
- Order additional tests or consultations in collaboration with cardiology faculty or according to established clinical guidelines and protocols.
- Perform diagnostic tests within established guidelines and scope of practice, and communicate results and abnormal findings to clinic and hospital staff.
- Coordinate discharge services and tests needed for outpatient follow-up, as applicable.
- Develop individualized cardiology care plans, including teaching, discharge planning, and referrals to other healthcare team members as needed.
- Provide care across the age continuum appropriate to education and certification; identify complex or unstable situations and facilitate appropriate intervention.
- Recognize emergencies and initiate effective emergency care.
- Coordinate ambulatory follow-up, procedures, and tests, as applicable.
- Assist with collection of outcome measures and review and interpret cardiology data, including registry, clinical, financial, length-of-stay, access-to-care, and cost-per-case information; recommend or implement changes as appropriate.
- Use equipment safely and base clinical decisions on scientific principles, standards of care, and research findings.
- Educate nursing and hospital staff, students, patients, families, and the community using appropriate teaching strategies; serve as a resource for staff and provide educational programs in the area of expertise.
- Maintain clinical knowledge and complete identified clinical competencies.
- Collaborate with leaders and staff on patient-outcome improvements, practice changes, interdisciplinary care, program development, and education; provide professional support and serve as a role model.
- Participate in and provide leadership for committees and task forces; promote innovation in the APP role in inpatient and ambulatory cardiology care.
- Participate in clinical trials and research studies with the Principal Investigator.
- Document plans, interventions, and evaluations in accordance with hospital and UHA policies and documentation standards.
- Document hours and submit billing reports, as appropriate.
- Perform other assigned duties and projects.
