Thoracic Surgery Advanced Practice Provider

Thoracic Surgery Advanced Practice Provider Hiring Department: Dell Medical School Location: AUSTIN, TX Weekly Scheduled Hours: 40 FLSA Status: Exempt from FLSA Earliest Start Date: Immediately Position Duration: Expected to Continue The Thoracic Surgery Advanced Practice Provider (APP) delivers comprehensive perioperative and longitudinal care to adult thoracic surgery patients in inpatient, outpatient, and procedural settings. This role functions as an integral member of the cardiovascular and thoracic surgery team, providing advanced surgical first assisting skills, clinical assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and care coordination for patients undergoing thoracic surgical interventions. The APP reports to the APP Manager and works closely with thoracic surgeons, anesthesiologists, intensivists, bedside nurses, pharmacists, and care management teams. Responsibilities span preoperative evaluation, intraoperative and postoperative management, rounding, procedures, patient education, and transitions of care. The APP contributes to quality, safety, throughput, and patient experience while practicing at the top of license under applicable Texas regulations and evidence‑based protocols. Responsibilities Provides Advanced Surgical First Assisting Support (45%) Directly supports surgeons during surgical procedures Opening and closing surgical incisions Surgical first assisting Manages Perioperative and Postoperative Care (25%) Performs comprehensive history and physical examinations across the perioperative continuum Conducts pre‑operative risk assessments and surgical readiness evaluations. Performs daily inpatient rounds including ICU and step‑down units. Manages post‑operative complications such as bleeding, wound complications, infection Collaborates with the Multidisciplinary Care Team Coordinates discharge planning and follow‑up care plans Prescribes medications and therapeutic interventions per scope and protocols. Communicates patient status and plans during handoffs and interdisciplinary rounds. Participates in clinical pathway development and standardization efforts. Performs Invasive and Bedside Procedures (5%) Performs bedside procedures such as thoracentesis, chest tube management, and bronchoscopy assistance. Performs advanced wound care procedures such as intrathoracic negative pressure dressing changes. Provides Outpatient Management in Clinic and Virtual Visit Settings (15%) Performs comprehensive assessments of new and established thoracic patients. Orders, interprets, and responds to diagnostic studies. Conducts pre‑operative risk assessments and surgical readiness evaluations. Prescribes medications and therapies in accordance with department protocols. Coordinates progression of care and readiness for discharge. Documents and Communicates Clinical Information (5%) Completes timely, accurate, and compliant documentation in the electronic medical record. Communicates clinical updates to patients, families, and referring providers. Ensures documentation supports quality outcomes, billing, and compliance standards. Supports Quality, Safety, and Regulatory Compliance (5%) Adheres to evidence‑based practices, clinical guidelines, and organizational policies. Identifies opportunities for quality improvement and patient safety initiatives. Participates in morbidity and mortality reviews, peer review, and quality improvement projects. Participates in peer review, morbidity and mortality reviews, and audits. Marginal or Periodic Functions: Participates in community outreach, education, or professional development activities Assists with orientation and mentorship of new APPs, residents, or trainees Assists with development or revision of thoracic surgical pathways and protocols Contributes to research, scholarly projects, or clinical trials as applicable Serves on departmental or system‑wide committees or task forces Performs other related duties as assigned. Knowledge/Skills/Abilities Functional/Technical Skills Applies advanced surgical first assisting skills during procedures Proficient With endoscopic and robotic surgeries Demonstrates procedural competence and clinical judgment in complex cases Procedural proficiency with thoracentesis and chest tube thoracostomy Applies advanced thoracic and surgical clinical knowledge in patient care Uses evidence-based guidelines to inform treatment decisions Clinical Judgment Recognizes subtle changes in patient condition and intervenes appropriately Balances risks and benefits of interventions in high-acuity settings Escalates care when clinical thresholds are exceeded Collaboration Engages effectively with physicians, nurses, and ancillary staff Facilitates smooth handoffs across care settings Builds trust and rapport within high-performing clinical teams Composure Performs effectively and functions calmly during high-stress scenarios, emergencies or rapid clinical deterioration Maintains professionalism in emotionally charged patient or family interactions Models calm decision-making in high‑pressure environments Patient Focus Communicates diagnoses, procedures, and care plans clearly and empathetically Advocates for patient needs and preferences Supports patient experience and satisfaction goals Learning on the Fly Integrates new surgical, procedural and clinical protocols and technologies Seek feedback to enhance clinical performance Adapts to evolving surgical techniques and care models Education & Experience Minimum Qualifications: Master’s degree in Nursing or Physician Assistant Studies Licensed Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) with National Assistant at Surgery Certification (NASC) and Prescriptive Authority OR Physician Assistant with Prescriptive Authority Minimum 2 years of relevant clinical experience in surgery Relevant education or experience may be substituted where appropriate Preferred Qualifications: Master’s or Doctoral degree with surgical focus 2+ years of thoracic surgery experience Prior experience in a tertiary or academic medical center Licenses, Registrations or Certifications Required Current Texas Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) certification with National Assistant at Surgery Certification (NASC) or PA license National certification (ANCC/AANP for NP or NCCPA for PA) Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) Salary Range: $133,000+ depending on qualifications Working Environment/EQUIPMENT Standard office equipment Repetitive use of a keyboard May be exposed to such occupational hazards as communicable diseases, blood borne pathogens, ionizing and non-ionizing radiation, hazardous medications and disoriented or combative patients, or others. Employment Eligibility: Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University-Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval. Retirement Plan Eligibility: The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length. This position has the option to elect the Optional Retirement Program (ORP) instead of TRS, subject to the position being 40 hours per week and at least 135 days in length. Background Checks: A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position. Equal Opportunity Employer: The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions. Pay Transparency: The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. Employment Eligibility Verification: If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form. You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university. E-Verify: The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university’s company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following: E-Verify Poster (English and Spanish) (PDF) Right to Work Poster (English) (PDF) Right to Work Poster (Spanish) (PDF) Compliance: Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act) and campus security authority (Clery Act) you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031. The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. 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