Physician Assistant or Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (with RNFA) - Cardiac Surgery (CORE), Full-time, Days

About the role

Northwestern Medicine has an exciting opportunity for either a Physician Assistant or an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (with RNFA) to work in our Cardiac Surgery OR department. The APP will join a fast-paced, high-acuity cardiac surgery team dedicated to delivering exceptional patient care while supporting innovation, clinical excellence, and collaboration across the perioperative continuum.

Schedule

• 4x10s, with rotating weekends (approximately 8-10/year)
• No nights, but will take overnight call coverage

Essential functions

• Demonstrates clinical expertise and expanded knowledge through patient care activities which may include diagnosis and management of a wide range of health problems
• Responsible for health outcome of an assigned patient population
• Confers with collaborating physician and other health professionals in area of clinical expertise
• Develops appropriate educational systems for patients, families and staff in areas of expertise
• Mentors graduate students in aspects of advanced practice and patient care
• Actively participates in quality improvement and/or research pertinent to area of expertise

Responsibilities

• Conducts comprehensive appraisals of patients' health status by taking health histories and performing physical examinations in clinical area
• Provides direct clinical care to patients
• Prescribes/orders medications, therapies; orders/interprets laboratory tests, x-rays and procedures according to clinical privileges
• Evaluates patients to determine their need for further health care
• Provides comprehensive teaching to patients and families
• Documents in the medical record all care and education provided and/or procedures performed for which the Licensed Advanced Practice Provider is responsible
• Refers to other disciplines as appropriate
• Consultant to other disciplines in areas of expertise
• Integrates research based knowledge and clinical expertise in decision making
• Exemplifies a professional image in appearance, manner and presentation
• Advocate for patients, families, coworkers, and the community
• Maintains certifications and continuing education as required for licensure and privileging
• Serves as a patient advocate and role model for "Patients First"
• Participates in unit/departmental/divisional or hospital committees/task forces as appropriate
• Provides comprehensive teaching strategies for patients and their families
• Develops and participates in programs to meet continuing education needs of staff
• Serves as a role model and preceptor to students
• Provides formal education to both internal and external groups pertinent to area of specialty
• Participates in quality improvement and/or research initiatives for specific patient population as appropriate

Qualifications

• Required: Master's degree from an accredited school/college of nursing OR master's degree from an accredited Physician Assistant Program
• Acute care certification AND RNFA are required for APRNs
• Current license as a Registered Nurse in the State of Illinois (for APRN candidates)
• Current license as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse in the State of Illinois (for APRN candidates)
• Certification as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse by a national certifying body as approved by the Illinois Department of Regulation APRN Board (for APRN candidates)
• Current license as a Physician Assistant in the State of Illinois (for PA candidates)
• Once licensed, may apply for a controlled substance license and DEA number
• Privileged and credentialed through the Medical Staff Office (MSO)
• Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation – BLS, issued by the American Heart Association
• Cardiac Surgery experience

Preferred qualifications

• 2 years of clinical experience in area of specialty