Advanced Practice Provider, Thoracic Surgery

University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PPO medical plan

100% preventive care

Paid Time Off

Retirement programs (TRS)

Paid Parental Leave

Wellness programs

Tuition reimbursement

PSLF eligible employer

Job summary

UT Southwestern Medical Center seeks an experienced Physician Assistant or Acute Care Nurse Practitioner to join the Thoracic Surgery team. The role combines inpatient and outpatient duties across Frisco and the Dallas campus, with travel between sites as the program develops.

The ideal candidate will have strong clinical judgment, adaptability, and collaborative spirit; surgical or critical care experience is preferred, with veterans encouraged to apply.

Qualifications

• Graduate of ARC-PA accredited Physician Assistant program or Master’s in Nursing with AP Education Program.
• NCCPA certification and Texas PA license or Texas APRN license with prescriptive authority.
• ACLS certification per UT Southwestern policy for AP providers.

Responsibilities

• Perform comprehensive initial and ongoing physical examinations tailored to age and diagnosis.
• Develop and implement patient care plans with appropriate orders and interpretations of labs and imaging.
• Demonstrate clinical and procedural proficiency relevant to thoracic surgery.
• Provide counseling, referrals, and education to patients and families.
• Participate in quality improvement initiatives and clinical research protocols.

Skills

Clinical judgement

Collaboration

Communication

Adaptability

Education

ARC-PA accredited PA program

Master's in Nursing with AP Education Program

NCCPA certification

Texas APRN licensure with prescriptive authority

ACLS certification

Job description

WHY UT SOUTHWESTERN?

With over 75 years of excellence in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, UT Southwestern is committed to excellence, innovation, teamwork, and compassion. As a world-renowned medical and research center, we strive to provide the best possible care, resources, and benefits for our valued employees. We invest in our employees with opportunities for career growth and development to align with their future goals. Our highly competitive benefits package offers healthcare, PTO and paid holidays, on-site childcare, wage and merit increases, and much more. We invite you to be part of the UT Southwestern team, where you'll discover a culture of teamwork, professionalism, and a rewarding career!

JOB SUMMARY

The Thoracic Surgery team at UT Southwestern is seeking an experienced Physician Assistant or Acute Care Nurse Practitioner to join a growing team providing comprehensive inpatient and outpatient care for patients with thoracic surgical conditions.

This position offers a blend of inpatient and outpatient practice, with approximately 50% of the role spent in each setting. The APP will play an important role in supporting and growing the Thoracic Surgery program in Frisco, while also providing coverage at the main Dallas campus as the Frisco program continues to develop. Initially, the position will include some travel between the Frisco and Dallas locations.

We are seeking an APP who is compassionate, adaptable, collaborative, and comfortable working in a fast-paced surgical environment. The ideal candidate will have strong clinical judgement and a desire to make a difference within a growing team. Previous surgical or critical care experience is preferred. Veterans are encouraged to apply.

Schedule: Rotating inpatient and outpatient schedule. Outpatient: 4 10-hour shifts. Inpatient: 3 12-hour shifts. Weekend coverage approximately once every 5 weeks with rotating holidays. No nights, call, or OR responsibilities.

BENEFITS

UT Southwestern is proud to offer a competitive and comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees. Our benefits are designed to support your overall well-being and include:

• PPO medical plan, available day one at no cost for full-time employee-only coverage
• 100% coverage for preventive healthcare with no copay
• Paid Time Off, available day one
• Retirement Programs through the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS)
• Paid Parental Leave Benefit
• Wellness programs
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Qualified Employer
• Learn more about UTSW employee benefits

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION

Required

• Graduate of a master's degree or higher Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) accredited Physician Assistant program; OR
• Master's degree or higher in nursing with documentation of completion of an accredited Advanced Practice Education Program. Graduate education and related Texas Board of Nursing authorization must be consistent with the clinical practice area and patient population.
• Certification by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) and licensure by the Texas Physician Assistant Board; OR
• Licensure as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse by the Texas Board of Nursing with authorization for prescriptive authority.
• Current applicable Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification through the American Heart Association or American Red Cross based on UT Southwestern policy for Advanced Practice Providers.

Preferred

• 1+ year of experience as an Advanced Practice Provider in a surgical, critical care, or related acute-care setting.
• Previous thoracic, surgical, or critical care experience preferred.

JOB DUTIES

• Conducts and documents comprehensive initial and ongoing physical examinations based on age and diagnosis, including psychological status.
• Synthesizes data and utilizes evidence to develop, implement, and evaluate the patient plan of care, including ordering and interpreting laboratory, radiology, and other diagnostic studies/results.
• Demonstrates proficiency in technical/procedural skills, as appropriate and based on specialty and training.
• Provides relevant management, referrals, counseling, and education to patients, families, and caregivers related to current care and preventive health measures.
• Facilitates and participates in quality-related initiatives and/or clinical research protocols to improve clinical and system practice performance.
• Collaborates in research projects and protocols and routinely applies evidence-based best practices to patient care.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

SECURITY AND EEO STATEMENT

Security

This position is security-sensitive and subject to Texas Education Code 51.215, which authorizes UT Southwestern to obtain criminal history record information.

EEO

UT Southwestern Medical Center is committed to an educational and working environment that provides equal opportunity to all members of the University community. As an equal opportunity employer, UT Southwestern prohibits unlawful discrimination, including discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, or veteran status.