Physician Assistant or Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (with RNFA) - Cardiac Surgery, Full-time, Days

Northwestern Memorial Healthcare•Winfield, IL

16d•Hybrid

About The Position

Northwestern Medicine has an exciting opportunity for an experienced Physician Assistant or Acute Care Nurse Practitioner to work in our Cardiac Surgery department. This position is a mix of inpatient and outpatient (50/50 split). Schedule: Monday - Friday (8 hour days). Call is required 1 weekend/month (Friday to Monday) and overnight call 2-3/month (5pm-7am). The Physician Assistant reflects the mission, vision, and values of NMHC, adheres to the organizations Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines, and all other regulatory and accreditation standards. Inpatient duties include floor duties for the PA, collecting laboratory data, vital signs, and any significant events on postop and preop patients. The patient will be evaluated by the PA and a plan will be formulated. Rounding with the surgeon and reviewing the plan in the morning, writing all pre and postop notes. During the day, the PA will follow up on any events with the patients and round with the on-call surgeon at the end of the workday. Answering urgent phone calls from cardiac catheterization labs at CDH, Delnor, and Kishwaukee hospitals and facilitating transfers or emergent OR requests. Must be available at all times during cardiac catheterization working hours during the week. Completing discharges on any patient ready to leave the hospital status post-surgery. Evaluating and initiating workup for new inpatient consultations. Admitting patients from outside hospitals or directly from home for evaluation for cardiac surgery. Answering service phone with questions/problems regarding inpatients and outpatients. Weekend rounding duties include the same duties that hold true during the week, which include collecting laboratory data, vital signs, any significant events overnight, evaluating the postop or preop patient, writing a progress note, formulating a plan for the patient for the day, and reviewing that plan with the rounding physician. The PA will also complete discharges on any patient ready to leave the hospital. OR duties include first assisting with all open-heart cases and performing Endoscopic Vein Harvesting on CABG patients. The PA will take rotating call for the OR during the week and on weekends for emergency cardiac surgery cases. Outpatient duties include seeing postop patients in the outpatient clinic, refilling medications, and facilitating outpatient orders if needed. Debriding wounds if needed. Scheduling surgery for patients who have been seen in the office as new consults and are deemed surgical candidates. Functions: Demonstrates clinical expertise and expanded knowledge through patient care activities which may include diagnosis and management of a wide range of health problems. Responsible for the health outcome of an assigned patient population. Confers with collaborating physician and other health professionals in the area of clinical expertise. Develops appropriate educational systems for patients, families, and staff in areas of expertise. Mentors graduate students in aspects of advanced practice and patient care. Actively participates in quality improvement and/or research pertinent to the area of expertise.

Requirements

Master’s degree from an accredited school/college of nursing OR master's degree from an accredited Physician Assistant Program
Acute care certification required for APRNs (inpatient experience as an NP will be considered in lieu of acute care certification)
First Assist Certification for all APRNs
Current license as a Registered Nurse in the State of Illinois.
Current license as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse in the State of Illinois.
Certification as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse by a national certifying body as approved by the Illinois Department of Regulation APRN Board.
Once licensed may apply for a controlled substance license and DEA number OR Master’s degree from an accredited Physician Assistant Program/Current license as a Physician Assistant in the State of Illinois.
Once licensed may apply for a controlled substance license and DEA number
Privileged and credentialed through the Northwestern Medicine Medical Staff Office (MSO)
Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation – BLS, issued by the American Heart Association

Nice To Haves

2 years of cardiac surgery experience

Responsibilities

Conducts comprehensive appraisals of patients' health status by taking health histories and performing physical examinations in clinical area.
Provides direct clinical care to patients.
Prescribes/orders medications, therapies; orders/interprets laboratory tests, x-rays, and procedures according to clinical privileges.
Evaluates patients to determine their need for further health care.
Provides comprehensive teaching to patients and families.
Documents in the medical record all care and education provided and/or procedures performed for which the Licensed Advanced Practice Provider is responsible.
Refers to other disciplines as appropriate.
Acts as a consultant to other disciplines in areas of expertise.
Integrates research-based knowledge and clinical expertise in decision making.
Exemplifies a professional image in appearance, manner, and presentation.
Advocates for patients, families, coworkers, and the community.
Maintains certifications and continuing education as required for licensure and privileging.
Serves as a patient advocate and role model for "Patients First".
Participates in unit/departmental/divisional or hospital committees/task forces as appropriate.
Provides comprehensive teaching strategies for patients and their families.
Develops and participates in programs to meet continuing education needs of staff.
Serves as a role model and preceptor to students.
Provides formal education to both internal and external groups pertinent to the area of specialty.
Participates in quality improvement and/or research initiatives for a specific patient population as appropriate.