NP or PA - Vascular Surgery

About the Organization

Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC), located in Nashville, Tennessee, is a global leader in teaching, discovery, and patient care. As part of Vanderbilt Health, VUMC fosters an environment where expertise is valued, knowledge is expanded, and abilities are challenged. The organization is committed to inclusivity, ensuring every individual has the opportunity to thrive while contributing to a mission larger than themselves. VUMC’s mission is to advance health and wellness through preeminent programs in patient care, education, and research.

About the Role

The Advanced Practice Provider (APP) is a key member of the multidisciplinary healthcare team, collaborating closely with physicians and other care providers to manage a distinct patient population in the inpatient acute care setting. This role focuses on providing specialized care for hospitalized patients, supporting high-quality, evidence-based medical services. The APP adheres to established clinical pathways and protocols, demonstrating advanced medical knowledge, clinical competence, sound judgment, and professional communication. The role also involves timely and compliant documentation, as well as active participation in professional development and competency validation.

Schedule

• 10-hour shifts (6:30 AM – 4:30 PM), averaging 4 shifts per week (flexible, e.g., 3 shifts one week and 5 the next).
• Weekend and holiday coverage on a rotating basis (typically every third to fourth weekend).

Department Description

The Department of Vascular Surgery provides comprehensive care to approximately 6,000 patients annually, treating conditions such as peripheral arterial disease, carotid disease, visceral and renovascular disorders, and aneurysm disease of the thorax, abdomen, and extremities. Minimally invasive techniques are routinely applied for peripheral interventions and aneurysm management. As part of the Vanderbilt Heart and Vascular Institute, the department delivers integrated cardiovascular care in a single location. This role does not involve operating room (OR) work and is specifically for an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (NP).

Requirements

• AGACNP or ACNP certification required.
• Licensed Nurse Practitioner (Tennessee), Physician’s Assistant Certified (Tennessee), or Registered Nurse (Tennessee).
• Master’s degree in a relevant field.
• Less than 1 year of relevant work experience.

Responsibilities

• Obtain and document health histories; perform and document complete, system-focused, or symptom-specific physical examinations, assessments, and plans of care.
• Collaborate to provide healthcare services for primary, acute, and complex care, managing patients’ overall care and identifying expected outcomes.
• Order, perform, interpret, and collect data using appropriate assessment techniques, diagnostic information, and procedures.
• Formulate differential diagnoses and treat acute and chronic conditions.
• Prescribe therapeutic interventions, including pharmacologic, non-pharmacologic, and surgical treatments, to achieve expected outcomes.
• Utilize evidence-based, approved practice protocols in planning and implementing care.
• Initiate appropriate referrals and consultations.
• Provide specialty-specific consultation services upon request and within scope of practice.
• Facilitate patient transitions between and within healthcare settings (admitting, transferring, and discharging patients).

Technical Capabilities

• Health Systems and Policy Management (Advanced): Demonstrates commitment to continuous professional development, ethical practice, and participation in professional organizations.
• Patient and Family-Centered Care (Advanced): Provides compassionate, appropriate, and effective care, managing both diagnosed and undiagnosed patients. Uses health assessment skills to differentiate normal, variations of normal, and abnormal findings. Employs screening and diagnostic strategies, prescribes medications, and manages health/illness status over time. Incorporates cultural and spiritual preferences into care and ensures patient-centered decision-making.
• Clinical Knowledge and Practice (Advanced): Applies biomedical, clinical, and social sciences to patient care and education. Demonstrates knowledge of population health and global health issues, maintaining current evidence-based practices through continuous learning.
• Practice-Based Scholarly Inquiry and Integration (Advanced): Uses scientific evidence to investigate, evaluate, and improve patient care practices. Proactively implements interventions to improve quality and integrates best available evidence into clinical practice.
• Interpersonal and Communication Skills (Advanced): Establishes and maintains professional relationships with patients, families, and healthcare teams. Communicates practice knowledge effectively both orally and in writing.
• Professionalism (Advanced): Demonstrates commitment to ethical practice, professional development, and participation in medical center committees and professional organizations.

Nursing Philosophy

VUMC believes highly skilled and specialized nursing care is essential to its mission of quality in patient care, education, and research. Nursing is viewed as an applied art and science focused on helping people, families, and communities achieve excellent health and well-being.

Benefits

• Affordable, high-quality health plan options.
• Dental and/or vision plans.
• 403(b) retirement plan.
• Paid Time Off (flexible PTO).
• Tuition reimbursement and adoption assistance (with maximums applied).
• Short- and long-term disability coverage.
• Subsidized backup childcare.
• Inpatient nursing supplemental pay program.

Core Accountabilities

• Organizational Impact: Executes responsibilities with an understanding of how output impacts other areas of the team, with occasional guidance.
• Problem Solving: Analyzes moderately complex problems using technical experience and judgment.
• Breadth of Knowledge: Expanded knowledge gained through experience within a professional area.
• Team Interaction: Provides informal guidance and support to team members.

Core Capabilities

• Supporting Colleagues:
  • Develops self and others through investment in professional growth.
  • Builds and maintains relationships with key colleagues and stakeholders.
  • Communicates effectively, adapting style to different situations and audiences.
• Delivering Excellent Services:
  • Serves others with compassion, understanding current and future needs.
  • Solves complex problems by approaching challenges from different angles.
  • Provides ongoing support and coaching to increase effectiveness.
• Ensuring High Quality:
  • Engages in dialogue about quality and addresses issues promptly.
  • Applies learning experiences to uncover root causes of problems and improve processes.
  • Understands and fulfills safety and regulatory requirements.
• Managing Resources Effectively:
  • Demonstrates accountability and ownership of critical issues.
  • Stewards organizational resources effectively.
  • Makes data-driven decisions to identify and elevate opportunities.
• Fostering Innovation:
  • Generates new ideas and opportunities from multiple sources.
  • Demonstrates enthusiasm for learning new technologies and tools.
  • Adapts to change, viewing challenges as opportunities for improvement.