Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant - Cardiothoracic Surgery

MUSC Health; Charleston (SC); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

The Medical University of South Carolina invites a Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant to join the MUSC Aortic Center, caring for patients with aortic disease. The APP will manage outpatient panels under radiographic surveillance and collaborate with cardiac, vascular, and radiology colleagues to optimize care.

We seek candidates with at least 3 years in cardiology/vascular care or surgical settings, experience with imaging, and a commitment to excellence in patient outcomes.

Qualifications

• Completion of an accredited Physician Assistant program and currently licensed or eligible for licensure as a Physician Assistant.
• APRN license type/certification: AGPNP/ANP or FNP; eligible for licensure as APRN.
• Minimum 3 years experience in cardiology, vascular medicine, or surgical specialty as an APP.
• Experience with cross-sectional imaging and preoperative consultation is highly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct care and take histories, perform exams, and document findings.
• Manage hypertension, lipid disorders, and renal disease within practice guidelines.
• Coordinate perioperative care and postoperative aortic surgery care.
• Attend and contribute to monthly aortic conference and quality/database activities.
• Maintain ongoing communication with supervising physicians and care teams.

Skills

Cardiology experience

Vascular medicine

Surgical specialty

Imaging interpretation

Education

Physician Assistant program

APRN license

Nurse Practitioner program

Tools

Quality database

Imaging review tools

Job description

Job Description Summary

The Department of Surgery is recruiting a Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant interested in working full-time caring for patients with aortic disease.

Entity

University Medical Associates (UMA) Only Employees and Financials

Worker Type

Employee

Worker Sub-Type

Regular

Cost Center

CC001068 COM SURG CT Adult Cardiac Surgery CC

Pay Rate Type

Salary

Pay Grade

Health-33

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Job Description

The successful applicant will be a Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant interested in working full-time in the care of patients with aortic disease. The applicant will join a core of 2 cardiac surgeons and 2 vascular surgeons within the MUSC Aortic Center, though other surgeons, cardiologists, and radiologists will have input into the care of aortic center patients. The APP will be expected to carry their own panel of outpatients who are under radiographic surveillance for aortic disease. The APP’s responsibilities will include management of chronic hypertension, lipid disorders, and renal failure; surveillance and imaging interpretation for patients with chronic aortic disease; appropriate elevation to surgical team; coordination of complex perioperative and postoperative aortic surgical care; and assistance in administering monthly aortic conference and our quality database. In addition, the APP will make rounds on admitted aortic patients. The MUSC Aortic Center aims to provide world‑class care for patients with aortic aneurysms and dissections throughout the state and beyond. Currently, over 300 aortic operations are performed annually with consistent year‑over‑year growth.

Fair Labor Standards Act Status

Salaried/Exempt

Hours per week

40

Scheduled Work Hours/Shift

8a-5p, no weekends. Anticipate one monthly meeting outside of these hours. Schedule is flexible.

Patient Population Focus

Inpatient (limited), Outpatient, Procedural Unit, Emergency Department Management/Consultation.

Patient Population Age Range

13years-death

Required Training And Experience

Completion of an accredited Physician Assistant program and currently licensed or eligible for licensure as a Physician Assistant or completion of an accredited Nurse Practitioner Program and currently licensed or eligible for licensure as an APRN as noted below.

Required Minimum Training

• Physician Assistant
• APRN License Type/Certification:
  • AGPNP/ANP (Adult Gerontology Primary Care NP or Adult NP): Adult pts (13 years to death), stable chronic disease state management or primary care setting.
  • FNP (Family NP): (birth to death) Stable chronic disease state management, primary care across the lifespan.

Preferred Training

• Physician Assistant

Preferred Training and Experience

• AGACNP/ACNP (Adult Gerontology Acute Care NP/Acute Care Nurse Practitioner): Adult pts (13 years to death), acutely ill or injured, potentially unstable, or technologically dependent (vents, drips, monitors, etc.).

Preferred Experience

Minimum 3 years experience working in cardiology, vascular medicine, or a surgical specialty as an advanced practice practitioner. Experience with cross-sectional imaging and preoperative consultation is highly preferred.

Degree of Supervision

Advanced Practice Registered Nurse or Physician Assistant will be assigned a Primary Supervising/Collaborating Physician employed by MUSC and will report directly to this physician.

Required Licensure, Certifications, Registrations

All certifications must be current and complete prior to start date:

• Basic Life Support (BLS)
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
• DHEC and DEA license applications must be started prior to first day.

Job Duties

Provides direct care to patients through the following activities:

• Takes comprehensive history and performs physical examinations
• Evaluates and treats on the basis of history, physical examination, radiological, laboratory, and other diagnostic test results pursuant to the practice agreement or scope of practice guideline
• Performs the following therapeutic procedures in accordance with procedural privileges, skill and proficiency as approved by the Clinical Division Chief
• Wound care including changing of wound VACs, wound dressings, and debridement
• Ultrasound guided compression of pseudoaneurysm
• Thoracentesis
• Initiates referrals to other health care providers, and/or consults with the attending physician or the collaborating physician
• Documents and bills for direct care provided
• Communicates effectively with referring physicians and primary care physicians
• Utilizes current research and evidence-based decision-making in all clinical practice
• Performs and participates in quality/performance improvement activities and clinical research
• Participates in and performs minutes and follow-up needs for monthly aortic conference
• Logs inpatient admissions, operations, and outcomes within quality database platform (shared duty with quality office, other Aortic Center Staff)
• Participates in and supports accreditation, compliance, and regulatory activities of the organization
• Demonstrates responsibility for professional practice through active participation in professional organizations and continuing education
• Potential to precept students at MUSC enrolled as an advanced practice provider student; and facilitates the learning of other new team members
• APRN or PA must maintain licenses, certifications, CNEs/CMEs, etc. as required by applicable policies and state law
• The primary role of the NP/PA will be in the longitudinal care of patients with advanced aortic disease. The provider will maintain a panel of patients who are in surveillance for aortic disease, both pre and postoperatively, and will be expected to document and communicate with the supervising physicians and the patients’ care teams according to best practices established in this role.
• Secondary roles: improve the patient experience within the system, especially for new patients and patients facing an operation. This will include working with cardiac and/or vascular surgeons for preoperative cardiopulmonary evaluations, assisting with complex logistics, and coordinating their recovery following their hospitalization. Improve quality and business operations through participation in monthly quality meetings and quarterly review of center business practices. Assist with development and implementation of patient care pathways. Assist in development of telehealth outreach and remote patient monitoring efforts.
• The NP/PA will not have primary inpatient care responsibilities but will be expected to see each Aortic Center patient at least once weekly when admitted. They may also be responsible for seeing patients in the emergency department.

Additional Job Description

Physical Requirements

Continuous requirements are to perform job functions while standing, walking and sitting. Ability to bend at the waist, kneel, climb stairs, reach in all directions, fully use both hands and legs, possess good finger dexterity, perform repetitive motions with hands/wrists/elbows and shoulders, reach in all directions. Ability to be qualified physically for respirator use, initially and as required. Maintain 20/40 vision corrected, see and recognize objects close at hand and at a distance, work in a latex safe environment and work indoors. Frequently lift, lower, push and pull and/or carry objects weighing 50 lbs (+/-) unassisted, exert up to 50 lbs of force, lift from 36" to overhead 25 lbs. Infrequently work in dusty areas and confined/cramped spaces.

Additional Note

If you like working with energetic enthusiastic individuals, you will enjoy your career with us!

Equal Opportunity Statement

The Medical University of South Carolina is an Equal Opportunity Employer. MUSC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion or belief, age, sex, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, protected veteran status, family or parental status, or any other status protected by state laws and/or federal regulations. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment based upon applicable qualifications, merit and business need.

E-Verify Program

Medical University of South Carolina participates in the federal E-Verify program to confirm the identity and employment authorization of all newly hired employees. For further information about the E-Verify program, please click here: http://www.uscis.gov/e-verify/employees