Vascular First Assist Advanced Practice Provider | Avera Heart Hospital

Sioux Center Health; Sioux Falls (SD); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Sioux Center Health is seeking a Vascular First Assist Advanced Practice Provider (APP) in Sioux Falls, SD. This role involves acting as a skilled surgical first assistant and serving as a clinician in the outpatient vascular clinic. You will ensure high-quality surgical care and patient outcomes.

The ideal candidate will possess clinical judgment, technical proficiency, and patient management skills, with a background in vascular surgery preferred. Join a family-like team committed to excellence in patient care.

Qualifications

• 1-2 years clinical experience as an APP in an inpatient and/or procedural setting.
• Experience in vascular surgery preferred.
• Prior first assist experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist in vascular surgical procedures ensuring safe and efficient care.
• Evaluate vascular patients in outpatient clinic.
• Develop and implement evidence-based treatment plans.

Skills

Clinical judgment

Technical proficiency in operating room

Strong diagnostic skills

Surgical assistance

Patient counseling

Education

Graduate of accredited Physician Assistant or Nurse Practitioner program

Current, unrestricted PA or NP license

BLS and ACLS certification

Job description

Work Shift

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

Location

Sioux Falls, SD

Worker Type

Regular

Position Highlights

At Avera Heart Hospital, you’re not just joining a workplace – you’re becoming part of a family. With more than 700 dedicated employees, 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 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 judgment, 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 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.
• 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.