APP Manager (NP or PA) - Cardiac OR

Vanderbilt University Medical Center•Nashville, TN

4d•Onsite

About The Position

Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) is seeking an Advanced Practice (AP) Manager to provide operational direction for team leaders and front-line AP clinicians (APC). This role collaborates with the Director for Advanced Practice and entity AP leadership. The AP manager role includes clinical practice, management of daily operations, fiscal accountability with assigned cost centers, and administrative duties, such as assisting with program development, personnel supervision, management (performance feedback, etc.), quality data and outcome-based performance initiatives. The APP Manager, Cardiac OR (CVOR) is a newly created leadership position responsible for the operational oversight, staffing, and performance management of the Cardiac OR First Assist team, including Advanced Practice Providers (NPs/PAs) and First Assist clinicians (e.g., RNFAs) supporting a high-acuity cardiac surgery program. This leader will partner closely with surgeons, perioperative leadership, and multidisciplinary teams to ensure safe, efficient, and reliable intraoperative coverage across a fast-paced CVOR environment. The ideal candidate combines strong clinical expertise in cardiac surgery with proven leadership capabilities, bringing the ability to develop teams, optimize staffing operations, and support excellence in patient care.

Requirements

Current Tennessee licensure, as applicable, in one of the following: Nurse Practitioner (NP) Physician Assistant (PA)
Significant experience supporting cardiac surgery as a first assist in a CVOR setting.
Demonstrated understanding of complex cardiac surgical workflows, including conduit and vein harvesting, intraoperative support, and high-acuity case management.
Strong interpersonal, communication, and leadership skills with the ability to build trust and effectively manage teams.
Master's degree
5 years relevant work experience

Nice To Haves

Previous leadership, supervisory, or management experience within a surgical service line, operating room, or APP practice.
Experience supporting heart transplant programs and donor procurement operations.
Demonstrated success in staffing optimization, scheduling, performance management, and process improvement initiatives.
Experience leading highly specialized clinical teams in a complex healthcare environment.

Responsibilities

Provide direct leadership and management for the CVOR First Assist team, consisting of fewer than 20 clinicians.
Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, professionalism, and continuous improvement.
Lead employee engagement, performance management, coaching, and career development initiatives.
Support recruitment, onboarding, retention, and succession planning efforts.
Develop and manage staffing schedules to ensure consistent intraoperative coverage for cardiac surgery services.
Coordinate staffing plans with perioperative leadership and surgeons to meet evolving operational demands.
Anticipate and address coverage needs related to case volume fluctuations, urgent or emergent cases, and donor procurement activities.
Implement contingency plans and staffing solutions to maintain operational continuity and patient safety.
Conduct performance evaluations and provide ongoing coaching and feedback.
Support orientation, training, and competency validation for first-assist practice.
Identify opportunities for professional growth and skill development across the team.
Address performance concerns in a timely and constructive manner.
Promote best practices and standardization of cardiac first-assist workflows.
Partner with clinical and operational leaders to improve efficiency, communication, and team effectiveness.
Advance a culture focused on quality outcomes, patient safety, and continuous improvement.
Monitor and support compliance with organizational, regulatory, and professional standards.
Depending on department needs, the manager may maintain a limited clinical role, including CVOR first-assist responsibilities and/or participation in donor procurement activities.
Develops and leads an advanced practice operational and strategic infrastructure aligned with entity goals.
Reports to the Director for Advanced Practice, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities.
Leads individuals, teams across disciplines, and works with all levels of members in a multidisciplinary environment.
Balances clinical practice with administrative duties to ensure high-quality, cost-effective care.
Provides operational direction for team leaders and front-line clinicians.
Oversees daily operations, staffing, and resource allocation for APCs.
Provides expertise on advanced practice regulations and oversees the credentialing and privilege process for APCs.
Works in collaboration with Vanderbilt Credentialing Services (VCS) to ensure compliance.
Assists with program development, personnel supervision, and performance management.
Supports quality data tracking and outcome-based performance initiatives to enhance patient care.
Ensures evidence-based practice integration and promotes research-driven clinical excellence.
Manages assigned cost centers, ensuring fiscal responsibility.
Works toward productivity benchmarks and operational goals to optimize clinical operations.