Vascular First Assist Advanced Practice Provider | Avera Heart Hospital

Avera Health; Sioux Falls (SD); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Avera Heart Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD is seeking a Vascular First Assist APP to serve as a surgical first assistant and outpatient vascular clinician. This dual-role position requires advanced clinical judgment and strong perioperative skills to support optimal patient outcomes.

The ideal candidate is a Physician Assistant or Nurse Practitioner with 1–2 years of APP experience in vascular settings, NCCPA or board certification, and an unrestricted license.

Qualifications

• Graduate of an accredited Physician Assistant program or Nurse Practitioner program (MSN/DNP).
• Current, unrestricted PA license (state) with NCCPA certification or NP license (state) with national board certification (AANP/ANCC as applicable).
• Current DEA license for prescribing.

Responsibilities

• Act as first assistant in vascular surgical procedures (open and endovascular).
• Evaluate outpatient vascular patients and manage tests.
• Develop and implement evidence-based treatment plans for PAD, carotid disease, venous insufficiency.
• Coordinate preoperative evaluations and postoperative clinic visits.
• Collaborate with vascular surgeons, vascular sonographers, and nursing staff; document in EMR.

Skills

Surgical first assist

Vascular surgery collaboration

Clinical evaluation

EMR documentation

Education

PA/NP degree (MSA/MSN)

Tools

NCCPA certification

DEA license

EMR systems

ACLS

Job description

Location:

Sioux Falls, SD

Worker Type:

Regular

Work Shift:

Primarily days with night, weekend and holiday on-call involvement (United States of America)

At Avera Heart Hospital, you’re not just joining a workplace – you’re becoming part of a family. With more than 700 dedicated employee, we deliver care that truly makes a difference. Our commitment to excellence has earned us the distinction of being one of only a handful of hospitals nationwide – out of more than 4,000 – to achieve a double 5-star rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Position Highlights

Position Summary:

The Vascular First Assist Advanced Practice Provider (APP) functions as both a skilled surgical first assistant to the vascular surgery team and an independent/collaborative clinician in the outpatient vascular clinic.

This dual-role position requires advanced clinical judgement, technical proficiency in the operating room, and strong diagnostic and management skills in the clinic setting. The Vascular First Assist APP plays a critical role in ensuring safe, efficient, and high-quality surgical and ambulatory care while supporting optimal patient outcomes across the continuum of care.

Responsibilities:

Surgical First Assist Responsibilities (OR)

Act as first assistant in vascular surgical procedures, including open and endovascular cases.

Provide expert tissue handling, exposure, retraction, hemostasis, and suturing under surgeon direction.

Assist with vessel exposure, anastomosis preparation, and graft placement

Participate in wound closure, dressing application, and intraoperative decision-making as appropriate.

Maintain sterile technique and anticipate surgical needs throughout the procedure.

Assist with intraoperative troubleshooting and complication management in collaboration with the surgeon.

_ Outpatient Vascular Clinic Responsibilities _

Independently or collaboratively evaluate new and established vascular patients.

Perform focused history and physical examinations related to vascular disease.

Order, interpret, and act on appropriate diagnostic testing (e.g., duplex ultrasound, ABI, CTA, labs) in collaboration with supervising physicians.

Develop and implement evidence-based treatment plans for conditions including:

• Peripheral arterial disease
• Carotid disease
• Venous insufficiency and varicose veins
• Wound care related to vascular disease
• Postoperative follow‑up care

Provide preoperative evaluations and surgical clearance coordination

Conduct postoperative clinic visits including:

• Wound assessment and management
• Suture/staple removal when appropriate
• Complication recognition and triage
• Medication management and patient education

_ Counsel patients on: _

• Risk factor modification (smoking cessation, exercise, medication adherence).
• Surgical vs. non-surgical treatment options.
• Expectations for recovery and long‑term vascular health.
• Collaborate closely with vascular surgeons, vascular sonographers, and nursing staff.
• Document thoroughly and accurately in the electronic medical record.

Education:

Graduate of an accredited Physician Assistant program or Nurse Practitioner programs (MSN/DNP).

Current, unrestricted PA license (state) with NCCPA certification or NP license (state) with national board certification (AANP/ANCC as applicable).

Current DEA license for prescribing.

BLS required; ACLS required or obtained within a defined onboarding period.

Experience:

Minimum 1-2 years clinical experience as an APP in an inpatient and/or procedural setting or strong surgical rotation background with readiness to function in perioperative workflows.

Prior APP experience in Vascular Surgery preferred.

Prior first assist experience with vein harvest/endovascular preferred.