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

Northwestern Medicine; Winfield (IL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tuition reimbursement

Loan forgiveness

401(k) matching

Job summary

Northwestern Medicine seeks an experienced Physician Assistant or Acute Care Nurse Practitioner to join the Cardiac Surgery team. The role combines inpatient and outpatient duties (50/50), with a Monday–Friday 8-hour schedule and on-call requirements including 1 weekend per month and 2–3 overnight shifts monthly.

The PAs/ACNPs will round with surgeons, write pre/postop notes, manage post-op care, and support OR cases. Strong credentials and hospital privilege through NM MSO are required.

Qualifications

• 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 considered in lieu).
• First Assist Certification for all APRNs.

Responsibilities

• Conduct inpatient and outpatient duties in cardiac surgery, including rounding, post-op notes, and care planning.
• Assist in the operating room for open-heart cases and CABG procedures.
• Manage admissions, discharges, and inter-hospital transfers.
• Respond to urgent calls and collaborate with surgeons and ICU teams.
• Prescribe and order medications and labs as clinically appropriate.

Skills

Cardiac surgery experience

First Assist Certification

APRNs licensure

Education

Master’s degree (Nursing or PA program)

Job description

At Northwestern Medicine, every patient interaction makes a difference in cultivating a positive workplace. This patient-first approach is what sets us apart as a leader in the healthcare industry. As an integral part of our team, you'll have the opportunity to join our quest for better health care, no matter where you work within the Northwestern Medicine system. We pride ourselves on providing competitive benefits: from tuition reimbursement and loan forgiveness to 401(k) matching and lifecycle benefits, our goal is to take care of our employees.

Job Description

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 Required
  • 1 weekend/month (Friday to Monday)
  • 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

• Floor duties for the PA include
• Collect 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
• Round with the surgeon and review the plan in the morning
• Write 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
• Answer urgent phone calls from cardiac catheterization labs at CDH, Delnor, and Kishwaukee hospitals and facilitate transfers or emergent OR requests
• Must be available at all times during cardiac catheterization working hours during the week
• Complete discharges on any patient ready to leave the hospital status post-surgery
• Evaluate and initiate work up for new inpatient consultations
• Admit patients from outside hospitals or directly from home for evaluation for cardiac surgery
• Answer 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

• The PA will also have duties in the operating room when not assigned to rounding on patients
• First assist with all open-heart cases
• 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

• See postop patients in the outpatient clinic
• Refill medications and facilitate outpatient orders if needed
• Debride wounds if needed
• Schedule 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 health outcome of an assigned patient population.
• Confers with collaborating physician and other health professionals in 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 area of expertise.

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.
• 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.
• Advocate 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 area of specialty.
• Participates in quality improvement and/or research initiatives for specific patient population as appropriate.

Qualifications

Required

• 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

Preferred

• 2 years of cardiac surgery experience

Additional Information

Northwestern Medicine is an equal opportunity employer (disability, VETS) and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status.

Background Check

Northwestern Medicine conducts a background check that includes criminal history on newly hired team members and, at times, internal transfers. If you are offered a position with us, you will be required to complete an authorization and disclosure form that gives Northwestern Medicine permission to run the background check. Results are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and we follow all local, state, and federal laws, including the Illinois Health Care Worker Background Check Act.

Artificial Intelligence Disclosure

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position, however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.

Benefits

We offer a wide range of benefits that provide employees with tools and resources to improve their physical, emotional, and financial well-being while providing protection for unexpected life events. Please visit our Benefits section to learn more.

Sign-on Bonus Eligibility (if sign-on bonus offered for position)

Internal employees and rehires who left Northwestern Medicine within 1 year are not eligible for the sign on bonus. Exception: New graduate internal employees seeking their first licensed clinical position at NM may be eligible depending upon the job family.