Advanced Practice Professional - Cardiology

Position Summary

The Advanced Practice Professional (APP) manages comprehensive and individualized care for cardiology patients and their families in the inpatient phase of hospitalization and immediate post-discharge in the ambulatory setting. The APP coordinates involvement of medical/surgical specialty teams, completes daily rounds, consults and/or pre-procedure/evaluations, completes integrated assessments, and communicates results of diagnostic tests.

Minimum Qualifications

• Graduate of a CCNE accredited nursing program with Master’s Degree in Nursing
• National Certification by one of the recognized APRN Certification Centers
• Licensure, or eligibility for licensure, as a professional Registered Nurse and Advanced Practice Registered Nurse in West Virginia
• BLS Certification required with additional Advanced Life Support training at the discretion of the department
• Acute care or cardiology experience preferred
• Eligible new graduates will be considered

Preferred Qualifications

• ACNP preferred, but FNPs will be considered
• Masters level education as Medical/Surgical (as applicable) Physician Assistant preferred

CORE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manages comprehensive and individualized care for cardiology patients and their families in the inpatient phase of hospitalization and immediate post-discharge in the ambulatory setting.
• Completes daily rounds; consults and/or pre-procedure/evaluations.
• Completes integrated assessments. Orders additional tests or consults as deemed appropriate.
• Performs and communicates results of diagnostic tests following established clinical guidelines and scope of practice.
• Consults and communicates with clinic and hospital staff regarding abnormal findings in the evaluations of patients.
• Performs succinct comprehensive clinical evaluations and documents findings in medical record.
• Facilitates patient discharge by coordinating appropriate services and tests prior to discharge necessary for outpatient follow-up appointments in the clinic (as applicable).
• Develops a comprehensive individualized plan of care for cardiology patients which includes teaching, discharge planning (as applicable) and necessary referral to other members of the health care team as necessary.
• Demonstrates expertise in caring for patients across the age continuum of their educational experience and certification.
• Identifies unstable or complex cardiology patient care situations and facilitates appropriate intervention in the clinic and/or hospital setting.
• Recognizes emergency situations and initiates effective emergency care.
• Evaluates cardiology patients and serves as a coordinator for follow up, procedures and tests in the ambulatory setting (as applicable).
• Assists in the collection of outcome measures (as applicable).
• Demonstrates critical thinking and diagnostic reasoning skills in clinical decision making by the identification, evaluation and management of the individual needs of patients/families.
• Bases decisions made/actions taken on the relevant scientific principles, established standards of care and/or research findings.
• Utilizes teaching/learning theory and appropriate teaching strategies in the provision of education to nursing staff, hospital staff, students, patients, families and the community.
• Promotes an environment that facilitates learning by responding to appropriate patient/family preferences, priorities and readiness to learn.
• Updates own knowledge base throughout the year. Completes all identified clinical competencies.
• Serves as a resource person for staff caring for the cardiology patient.
• Provides educational programs to professional and paraprofessional personnel in area of expertise.
• Participates in community programs, distribution of literature, as appropriate in area of expertise.
• Documents the plan of care, interventions and evaluations in a clear and concise manner for every patient visit in the patient’s medical record following approved hospital/UHA policies and compliance standards for documentation.
• Collaborates with other leaders and staff to effectively achieve patient outcome based improvements in care.
• Provides leadership in the development and implantation of changes in the cardiology practice that positively impact patient outcomes.
• Works collaboratively with medical and nursing staff to facilitate creative problem solving and provide professional support.
• Participates and initiates inter-disciplinary approaches to patient care, program development and education.
• Serves as a professional role model.
• Participates and provides leadership for committees and task forces.
• Reviews and interprets cardiology data from sources such as patient registries, clinical and financial reports, length of stay, access to care, and cost per case reports and recommends/implements changes as necessary.
• Participates in clinical trials and research studies with the Principal Investigator.
• Assists cardiology Faculty, Administrators and Directors in the collection of outcome measures.

Physical Requirements

• Heavy/Hard Work: Work requires strength and/or stamina, lifting, moving, stooping, reaching, positioning of patients, standing, walking, and carrying of patients, materials and equipment weighting 40+ pounds.

Working Environment

• Working closely with others.
• Protracted or irregular hours.
• Working around biohazards.
• Working around infectious diseases.
• Working with or near the deceased.
• Working with hands in water.
• Electrical hazards associated with patient care equipment.

Skills And Abilities

• Proficiency with computers.
• Strong communication skills.