Thoracic Surgery Advanced Practice Provider

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

• Seeks 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)

Preferred:

• Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) certification

• Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS)

• Thoracic-specific continuing education or certification

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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.

Important for applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers: You will be prompted to submit your resume the first time you apply, then you will be provided an option to upload a new Resume for subsequent applications. Any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) will be uploaded in the Application Questions section; you will be able to multi-select additional files. Before submitting your online job application, ensure that ALL Required Materials have been uploaded. Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes.

Important for Current university employees and contingent workers: As a current university employee or contingent worker, you MUST apply within Workday by searching for Find UT Jobs. If you are a current University employee, log-in to Workday, navigate to your Worker Profile, click the Career link in the left hand navigation menu and then update the sections in your Professional Profile before you apply. This information will be pulled in to your application. The application is one page and you will be prompted to upload your resume. In addition, you must respond to the application questions presented to upload any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) that were noted above.