Adult Cardiac Surgery APP - UofL Health - Jewish Hospital

Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN)

The Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) provides assessment, management and outcome evaluation for patients in inpatient and outpatient settings. The APRN serves as a resource to educate patients, families, professional nurses, and staff; functions as a liaison between patient, family and UofL Physicians staff; and participates in clinical research. The APRN should demonstrate an advanced level of medical and nursing knowledge, clinical and technical competency, sound clinical judgment, professionalism as it relates to interpersonal and general communication skills, timely and compliant documentation, and takes responsibility for ongoing professional development and competency validation.

The advanced practice provider (APP) will work in collaboration with the Adult Cardiac Surgery provider teams and provide comprehensive care to the Adult cardiac surgery patients in the step-down units. The APP will collaborate with the CVICU provider teams in the evaluation of patients in the CVICU. Practice includes daily rounding/progress notes on inpatients.

Daily inpatient and outpatient management of patients, which encompasses evaluation and assessment of patients, development, implementation and reassessment of treatment plan, care-coordination, follow-up, and completion of thorough discharge summaries. The APP will supervise and mentor registered nurses in the management of all adult cardiac surgery patients.

The APP, in collaboration with the physician(s) and multi-disciplinary healthcare team is responsible for participation in cardiovascular service line committees, education of appropriate staff on protocols, patient education and disease management.

The APP will provide care to patients in step-down units and other units of the hospital. Population of patients managed/cared for include but not limited to those s/p coronary artery bypass grafting, valve replacements, aortic dissection repair, acute decompensated heart failure, percutaneous temporary ventricular assist support devices, LVADs, and heart transplants.

• Performs comprehensive history and physical consults, in-patient daily progress notes on patients in ICU and step-down units in conjunction with collaborating physician(s).
• Assessment and management of inotropes, central venous lines.
• Management of anti-arrhythmic medications, anti-coagulation and titration of inotropic medications.
• Assesses the physical and psychosocial status of clients by means of interview, health history, physical examination, and diagnostic studies.
• Ability to handle multiple priorities and work in a fast-paced environment.
• Recognizes deviations from normal in the physical assessment. Works in collaboration with a physician in formulating treatment plans for health problems and follow-up.
• Writes prescriptions for medication, blood tests, routine diagnostic and follow-up studies and therapeutic measures.
• Requests consultation from physicians and other healthcare professionals to ensure appropriate and quality patient care.
• Interprets and evaluates findings of studies/tests.
• Relays appropriate information regarding patient care to the collaborating physician.
• Evaluates the quality of care provided and recommends changes for improvement.
• Initiates appropriate actions to facilitate the implementation of therapeutic plans that are consistent with the continuing healthcare needs of the patient.
• Work with and direct a multidisciplinary critical care team including nursing staff, social workers, respiratory therapists, nutritionists, physical/occupation/speech therapists, and pharmacists to provide patient-focused care.
• Initiate discussions involving ethical issues and patients' wishes in making treatment decisions, using advance directives, health care proxies, the Hospital Bioethics Committee.
• Communicate with caring and respectful behaviors with patients, families, and other involved members of the healthcare team about all treatment decisions and patient prognosis.
• Works both collaboratively and independently.
• Shares clinical expertise with professional and supportive personnel. Facilitate the learning of residents, students, and other health care professionals.
• Documents and reports care in an accurate, timely manner.
• Works effectively with others. Collaborates with other health disciplines to ensure continuity and quality of care.
• Promotes evidenced-based nursing practice/research by participating in clinical research and leading efforts in scientific inquiry.
• Discharges hospitalized patients at the direction of the attending physician and completes discharge summaries of patients' hospitalization.
• Maintains professional certification in specialty area; attends and participates in national, regional, and/or local educational conferences.
• Varied schedule (weekend rounds required, holiday coverage required)
• Other duties as assigned.

Education and certification

• APRN: Graduate of accredited program with Master of Science in Nursing. Board Certification Required. Acute Care Certification focus preferred but not required. Required Licensure: APRN and RN in state of Kentucky
• PA: Graduate of a physician assistant program accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for Physician Assistants or its predecessor or successor agencies and has passed the certifying examination administered by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants or its predecessor or successor agencies. Physician Assistant in state of Kentucky

ACLS/BLS certification and DEA can be obtained upon employment.