Job Purpose: The Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant will work with physicians and team management to assist in direct patient care, case management, practice development, and implementation of policies and procedures focused on patient-centered care models and to increase the continuity of care of all cardiothoracic patients. Experience with vein harvesting is required.

Hours per week: 40
Scheduled Work Hours/Shift: Must be able to work inpatient and outpatient which will include some nights and weekends.
Pay Basis/FLSA: Salaried/Exempt

Required Minimum Training and Education:

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 as an AGACNP (Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner) or ACNP: Requires RNFA (Registered Nurse First Assist) certification to first or second assistant in the operating room (OR).

Degree of Supervision

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

Required Licensure, Certifications, Registrations

Currently licensed (or eligible) in the state of South Carolina as a Physician Assistant by the South Carolina Board of Medical Examiners or as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse ACNP with the SC Board of Nursing. Requires certification in Basic Life Support (BLS). If BLS is not current, the provider must enroll and have received a certificate by the start date. DHEC and DEA license applications must be submitted prior to the first day.

Minimum qualifications: PA or ACNP with RNFA who graduated with a surgical fellowship.

Preferred qualifications: PA or ACNP with RNFA who graduated from a surgical fellowship, and has two years' surgery experience.

ACLS required for adult surgery

Job Duties

Provides direct care to patients through the following activities:

• The Advanced Practice Provider will provide care of cardiothoracic patients in both the inpatient and outpatient settings.
• The primary inpatient responsibilities will include care of postoperative cardiac and thoracic patients on the hospital wards.
• The Advanced Practice Provider will interact directly with attending physicians, residents, and medical/APP students of MUSC.
• The Advanced Practice Provider will assist in the evaluation of patients in the cardiac surgery clinic where operative candidacy and selection of appropriate operations are performed. In addition, this clinic assesses patients returning to the clinic for post-operative evaluations.
• 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:
  • vein harvesting
  • chest tube placement
  • central line placement
  • arterial line placement
• Initiates referrals to other health care providers, and/or consults with the attending physician or the collaborating physician
• First assist in the operating room
• Documents and bills for direct care provided
• 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 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

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.