Cardiac ICU - Full-Time NP/PA

Atrium Health; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sign-On Bonus Eligible

Paid Time Off

Comprehensive health and welfare

Retirement benefits (401(k))

Flexible spending accounts

Family support benefits

Educational assistance and CME

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Advocate Health in Charlotte, NC seeks a Cardiac ICU Advanced Practice Provider (NP/PA) to join a high‑acuity multidisciplinary team caring for patients with cardiogenic shock, advanced heart failure, and post‑MI complications.

You’ll manage direct patient care, participate in education, protocol development, and research within a fast‑paced Cardiac ICU, coordinating transitions and ensuring evidence‑based care.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Nursing or Physician Assistant Studies required.
• Active, unrestricted NP or PA license in NC; national certification required (ACNP/AGACNP or NCCPA).
• BLS and ACLS certification currently active.
• Experience in cardiac critical care is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct patient management in a fast-paced Cardiac ICU.
• Manage cardiogenic shock, advanced heart failure and post-MI complications.
• Experience with temporary mechanical circulatory support (ECMO, Impella, IABP).
• Collaborate with cardiology, cardiac surgery, critical care and ancillary teams.

Skills

Cardiac ICU experience

Critical care assessment

Hemodynamic interpretation

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Education and research involvement

Education

MSN or MPAS for NP/PA

Active NC NP/PA license

ACNP/AGACNP or NCCPA certification

BLS and ACLS certification

Job description

Position Overview

The Cardiac ICU Advanced Practice Provider (APP)—Nurse Practitioner (NP) or Physician Assistant (PA)—will be an integral member of a high-acuity multidisciplinary team managing critically ill patients with advanced cardiac conditions. This role provides comprehensive care for patients with cardiogenic shock, advanced heart failure, post‑myocardial infarction complications, and those requiring temporary mechanical circulatory support, including ECMO, Impella, and IABP. The APP will work closely with cardiology, cardiac surgery, critical care, residents, and ancillary services while contributing to education, coordination, quality improvement, protocol development, and research activities related to cardiac critical care.

Sign-On Bonus Eligible

Location & Setting

• Primary location(s): Charlotte, NC – CMC
• Care setting: Inpatient Cardiac Intensive Care Unit / high‑acuity cardiac critical care environment
• Service area / coverage: Critically ill cardiac patients with advanced cardiac conditions, including cardiogenic shock, advanced heart failure, post‑MI complications, and temporary mechanical circulatory support needs

Schedule & Call Expectations

• Schedule: Varies, rotating weekends, 12 13hr shifts/month
• No call requirements

Scope Of Practice/What You’ll Do

Provide direct patient management, advanced assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, monitoring, care coordination, and collaboration within a fast‑paced, high‑acuity Cardiac ICU.

• Core responsibilities: Perform comprehensive assessment, diagnosis, and management of critically ill cardiac patients; manage acute decompensated heart failure, cardiogenic shock, post‑MI complications, vasoactive medications, inotropes, and mechanical support devices; coordinate transitions between levels of care, including step‑down and transfer to tertiary facilities when necessary
• Patient population: Critically ill cardiac patients with advanced cardiac conditions, including cardiogenic shock, advanced heart failure, post‑myocardial infarction complications, and patients requiring temporary mechanical circulatory support
• Procedures / clinical skills: Manage temporary mechanical circulatory support devices, including ECMO, Impella, IABP, and ventricular assist devices under established protocols; support advanced hemodynamic monitoring, titration, and weaning of vasoactive medications, inotropes, and mechanical support devices
• Autonomy vs collaboration: Direct patient management role with close collaboration alongside attending cardiologists, intensivists, cardiac surgeons, residents, nursing, pharmacy, physical therapy, nutrition, and other ancillary team members

Team & Support Structure

• Team composition: Multidisciplinary cardiac critical care team including cardiology, cardiac surgery, critical care, residents rotating through the Cardiac ICU, nursing staff, pharmacists, physical therapists, nutritionists, and other ancillary services
• Collaboration model: Works closely with attending cardiologists, intensivists, cardiac surgeons, and the broader care team to optimize patient outcomes in a high‑acuity ICU setting
• Onboarding/training support: Opportunity to participate in resident education, ongoing professional development, advanced procedure training, protocol development, and research activities related to cardiac critical care

Why This Role / Differentiators

• Unique aspects of the role: High‑acuity cardiac ICU role focused on advanced heart failure, cardiogenic shock, post‑MI complications, and temporary mechanical circulatory support including ECMO, Impella, and IABP
• Program strengths / growth opportunities: Work at a leading cardiac critical care center with one of the region’s highest volumes of mechanical circulatory support and access to advanced procedure training and professional development
• Academic/research opportunities: Participate in quality improvement initiatives, protocol development, research activities, and education/coordination with residents rotating through the Cardiac ICU
• Culture / community / leadership strengths: Collaborate with renowned cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, intensivists, and a broad interdisciplinary team in a cutting‑edge cardiac critical care environment

Qualifications

• Minimum Education and Experience Required: Master’s degree in Nursing (MSN) or Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) required; active, unrestricted NP or PA license in NC; national certification required, including ACNP, AGACNP, or NCCPA certification; current BLS and ACLS certification
• Preferred: 2–3 years of experience in cardiac critical care, CVICU, or related specialty preferred; critical care or cardiac certification such as CCRN, CSC, or equivalent preferred; proficiency with ECMO, Impella, IABP, and advanced hemodynamic monitoring strongly desired; prior experience in academic or teaching hospital settings is a plus
• Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required: Advanced clinical assessment and critical thinking skills; strong proficiency in hemodynamic interpretation and mechanical support management; effective interdisciplinary communication and teamwork; commitment to evidence‑based practice and continuous learning; ability to work in a fast‑paced, high‑acuity environment with precision and collaboration
• Physical Requirements and Working Conditions: Fast‑paced, high‑acuity inpatient Cardiac ICU environment caring for critically ill patients; additional physical requirements should be confirmed against Workday standard requirements

Benefits/Supplemental Benefits

• Paid Time Off programs available for eligible positions
• Comprehensive health and welfare benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life, and disability coverage
• Retirement benefits, including 401(k) options with employer contributions and access to financial wellness resources
• Flexible spending accounts for eligible health care and dependent care expenses
• Family support benefits, which may include parental leave, adoption assistance, and surrogacy support
• Educational assistance and professional development programs
• Paid medical liability insurance
• Continuing Medical Education (CME) allowances
• Relocation assistance

About Advocate Health

Advocate Health is one of the largest nonprofit integrated health systems in the United States, providing care under the names Advocate Health Care in Illinois, Atrium Health in the Carolinas, Georgia and Alabama, and Aurora Health Care in Wisconsin. With Wake Forest University School of Medicine as our academic core, we are shaping the future of health care through innovation, research, education and compassionate care.

When you join Advocate Health, you’re joining a team that’s committed to being a Best Place to Care—where clinicians are heard, supported and empowered to focus on what matters most: caring for patients. This enterprise‑wide initiative is grounded in listening to care teams, removing barriers to excellent care, and fostering well‑being and connection. It reflects our purpose—from discovery to everyday moments, we’re redefining care - for you, for us, for all—and lives through our values: lifting each other up, leading with purpose, thinking boldly together and embracing change with optimism. Here, you’ll find not just a job, but a career with meaning, growth and impact—for all.