Advanced Practice Professional - Peds CICU

About the Role

The Advanced Practice Professional (APP) provides comprehensive management of critical‑care patients, including biological, social, and psychological assessments. The APP coordinates medical and surgical specialty teams, develops and reviews individualized care plans, ensures adherence to protocols and regulatory guidelines, performs diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, and oversees discharge planning. The role includes education of residents, medical and nursing students, and responding to rapid‑response alerts to assess and initiate care for critically ill patients. A pediatric CICU focus adds expertise in caring for pediatric patients and their families.

Core Duties and Responsibilities

• Manage comprehensive, individualized care for critical‑care and pediatric CICU patients and their families throughout hospitalization, step‑down, ward, or discharge phases.
• Complete daily rounds, consults, pre‑procedure evaluations, and integrated assessments.
• Order additional tests or consults in collaboration with critical‑care faculty or according to established guidelines.
• Perform and communicate results of diagnostic tests within scope of practice.
• Document comprehensive clinical evaluations and care plans in the medical record.
• Facilitate patient discharge or transfer by coordinating follow‑up services and tests.
• Identify unstable or complex situations, initiate emergency care, and respond to rapid‑response alerts.
• Coordinate follow‑up procedures and tests in ambulatory settings as needed.
• Collect outcome measures and assist with clinical trials and research studies.
• Provide education to nursing staff, hospital staff, students, patients, families, and the community using appropriate teaching strategies.
• Serve as a resource and role model for staff caring for critical‑care patients.
• Participate in interdisciplinary committees, task forces, and program development.
• Document hours, submit billing reports, and review critical‑care data to recommend improvements.
• Maintain competency in equipment use and adhere to scientific principles, standards of care, and research findings.

Minimum Qualifications – Nurse Practitioner

• Graduate of a CCNE‑accredited nursing program with a Master’s Degree in Nursing (or MEC‑approved equivalent).
• National certification by a recognized APRN certification body.
• Current Registered Nurse license in West Virginia or a multi‑state RN license through the eNLC.
• Advanced Practice Registered Nurse license issued by the West Virginia Board of Nursing.
• American Heart Association BLS certification; additional Advanced Life Support training as required by the department.
• Experience: New graduates will be considered.

Preferred Qualifications – Nurse Practitioner

• Acute‑care or critical‑care experience preferred.
• Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP) preferred; Family Nurse Practitioners (FNP) will be considered.
• Pediatric CICU, acute‑care, or pediatric experience preferred for the CICU focus.
• PNP‑AC preferred; PNP‑PC or FNP considered with additional certification as needed.
• Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification at the department’s discretion.

Minimum Qualifications – Physician Assistant

• Bachelor’s (or Master’s) degree as a Medical/Surgical Physician Assistant.
• Graduate of an ARC‑PA‑approved Physician Assistant training program.
• Certification by the National Commission for Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA).
• License or eligibility for licensure by the West Virginia Board of Medicine or Board of Osteopathic Medicine.
• American Heart Association BLS certification; additional Advanced Life Support training as required by the department.
• Experience: New graduates will be considered.

Preferred Qualifications – Physician Assistant

• Master’s‑level degree as a Physician Assistant preferred.
• Critical‑care or pediatric critical‑care experience preferred.
• Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification at the department’s discretion.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift, move, stoop, reach, and position patients and equipment weighing 40 + pounds.
• Requires strength, stamina, standing, walking, and carrying of materials.

Working Environment

• Collaborative setting with close interaction among staff.
• Protracted or irregular hours.
• Exposure to biohazards, infectious diseases, and deceased patients.
• Work with water, electrical hazards associated with patient‑care equipment, and other clinical hazards.

Skills and Abilities

• Proficiency with computers.
• Strong communication skills.