Thoracic Surgery APP: Surgical First Assistant

Dell Medical School; Springfield (IL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 146,000; Full time

Job summary

Dell Medical School seeks a Thoracic Surgery Advanced Practice Provider to deliver perioperative and longitudinal care to adult thoracic patients in inpatient, outpatient, and procedural settings. You will be an integral member of the cardiovascular and thoracic team, providing advanced surgical first assisting, clinical assessment, and care coordination under protocols.

Responsibilities include preoperative evaluation, intraoperative and postoperative management, rounds, procedures, and

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Nursing or Physician Assistant Studies.
• Licensed Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) with NASC and Prescriptive Authority or Physician Assistant with Prescriptive Authority.
• Minimum 2 years of relevant clinical experience in surgery.
• Relevant education or experience may be substituted where appropriate.

Responsibilities

• Provides Advanced Surgical First Assisting Support (45%).
• Directly supports surgeons during surgical procedures.
• Opening and closing surgical incisions.
• Surgical first assisting.
• Manages Perioperative and Postoperative Care (25%).
• Performs comprehensive history and physical examinations across the perioperative continuum.
• Conducts pre-operative risk assessments and surgical readiness evaluations.
• Performs daily inpatient rounds including ICU and step-down units.
• Manages post-operative complications such as bleeding, wound complications, infection.
• Collaborates with the Multidisciplinary Care Team.
• Coordinates discharge planning and follow-up care plans.
• Prescribes medications and therapeutic interventions per scope and protocols.
• Performs Invasive and Bedside Procedures (5%).
• Performs bedside procedures such as thoracentesis, chest tube management, and bronchoscopy assistance.
• Performs advanced wound care procedures such as intrathoracic negative pressure dressing changes.
• Provides Outpatient Management in Clinic and Virtual Visit Settings (15%).
• Performs comprehensive assessments of new and established thoracic patients.
• Orders, interprets, and responds to diagnostic studies.
• Conducts pre-operative risk assessments and surgical readiness evaluations.
• Prescribes medications and therapies in accordance with department protocols.
• Coordinates progression of care and readiness for discharge.
• Documents and Communicates Clinical Information (5%).
• Completes timely, accurate, and compliant documentation in the electronic medical record.
• Communicates clinical updates to patients, families, and referring providers.
• Ensures documentation supports quality outcomes, billing, and compliance standards.
• Supports Quality, Safety, and Regulatory Compliance (5%).
• Adheres to evidence-based practices, clinical guidelines, and organizational policies.
• Identifies opportunities for quality improvement and patient safety initiatives.
• Participates in morbidity and mortality reviews, peer review, and quality improvement projects.
• Marginal or Periodic Functions: participate in outreach, orientation, mentorship, research, and committees.

Skills

Advanced surgical first assisting

Endoscopic and robotic surgeries

Procedural competence

Clinical judgment

Collaboration

Patient communication

Education

Master’s degree in Nursing or Physician Assistant Studies

Licensed APRN with NASC and Prescriptive Authority or PA with Prescriptive Authority

2 years of relevant clinical experience in surgery

Education/experience substitution allowed

Job description

Dell Medical School seeks a Thoracic Surgery Advanced Practice Provider to deliver perioperative and longitudinal care to adult thoracic patients in inpatient, outpatient, and procedural settings. You will be an integral member of the cardiovascular and thoracic team, providing advanced surgical first assisting, clinical assessment, and care coordination under protocols.

Responsibilities include preoperative evaluation, intraoperative and postoperative management, rounds, procedures, and