Cardiology, Advanced Practice Provider (APP - NP/PA) - Advanced Heart Failure & Palliative ...

Job Description

The Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC Health) is seeking a compassionate, highly skilled Advanced Practice Provider (Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant) to join the Advanced Heart Failure and Palliative Care Program at MUSC Health Columbia Medical Center Downtown. This role provides an exceptional opportunity to care for individuals living with advanced and complex cardiac disease through a blended model of heart failure management and specialty palliative care, with a strong emphasis on symptom optimization, serious?illness communication, and improving quality of life for patients and families across the disease trajectory.

The APP will serve as an integral member of both the heart and vascular team and the systemwide palliative care service, delivering comprehensive, patient?centered care in both inpatient and outpatient settings. The provider will perform holistic assessments; manage acute and chronic heart failure conditions; and integrate specialty palliative care principles such as pain and symptom management, psychosocial support, goals?of?care discussions, advance care planning, and decision support for patients with serious cardiovascular illness.

Program Context & Professional Opportunity

This position offers the opportunity to practice within a nationally recognized cardiovascular program known for innovative therapies, advanced diagnostics, leading-edge heart failure management, and a strong commitment to palliative care integration. The position will also offer support academically and professionally within the systemwide Palliative Care Program.  MUSC Health is dedicated to interdisciplinary excellence, evidence-based practice, and the advancement of high-quality serious illness care throughout the Midlands region of South Carolina.

The ideal candidate brings a passion for supporting patients and families facing advanced illness, a commitment to compassionate communication, and the clinical proficiency to integrate palliative principles alongside disease-directed heart failure care.

About MUSC Health – Columbia Medical Center Downtown:

MUSC Health – Columbia Medical Center Downtown is a 273-bed hospital located in the heart of downtown Columbia, South Carolina. Founded in 1938 by the Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine, this hospital has a longstanding reputation for compassionate care and outstanding clinical services, including an award-winning Heart & Vascular Center.

Required Qualifications:

• Nurse Practitioner (NP) or Physician Assistant (PA)
• Passion for delivering outstanding patient care and working in a collaborative team environment
• Commitment to improving outcomes for patients with advanced cardiovascular disease

Position Highlights / Direct patient care activities:

• Provide comprehensive evaluation and management of patients with advanced heart failure, including assessment, diagnosis, and ongoing treatment planning in collaboration with the cardiology and palliative care teams.
• Manage inpatient and outpatient clinical encounters, including daily rounding, follow up visits, and coordination of care transitions.

In addition to traditional advanced heart failure APP duties, the provider will:

• Utilize expert-level symptom management strategies for complex issues such as dyspnea, fatigue, pain, anxiety, nausea, and existential distress in the context of advanced cardiac disease.
• Lead and facilitate serious?illness conversations, goals-of-care discussions, and shared decision-making for patients and families navigating complex treatment options, advanced cardiac therapies, and transitions of care.
• Provide education and support to patients and caregivers regarding disease progression, treatment burden, and alignment of care with patient values and preferences.
• Support transitions to community-based palliative care or hospice when appropriate, partnering closely with local agencies and system partners.
• Serve as a resource on palliative care best practices for the broader heart and vascular team, promoting a culture of compassionate, evidence-based serious illness care.

• Other professional expectations:
  • Complete appropriate and timely documentation and billing.
  • Demonstrate responsibility for professional practice through active participation in professional organizations and continuing education.
  • Maintain licenses, certifications, CNEs/CMEs, etc. as required by applicable policies and state law.

Benefits & Resources for Providers:

• Competitive compensation and benefits
• Employer-funded retirement plans
• Paid occurrence malpractice coverage
• Paid parental leave
• Epic EHR with provider-centered optimization and robust user support
• AI-enabled documentation and workflow tools are integrated into Epic to reduce administrative burden and support clinical decision-making at the point of care
• Team-based care models that support sustainable workloads, shared responsibility, and provider well-being

Life in Columbia, South Carolina:

Discover the best of both worlds with big-city opportunity and small-town warmth. Columbia is South Carolina’s vibrant capital city, perfectly positioned between the beautiful beaches of the Lowcountry and the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains. Enjoy top rated schools, family friendly neighborhoods, award winning restaurants, festivals, and endless outdoor adventures at Lake Murray and nearby state parks.         

About MUSC:

South Carolina’s leading academic health system, MUSC Health, serves patients across the state through a growing network of hospitals, clinics, and specialty services. As the clinical enterprise of the Medical University of South Carolina, MUSC Health integrates academic medicine, research, and education with a strong commitment to patient care. Providers who join MUSC Health become part of a mission-driven organization recognized for clinical excellence, innovation, and meaningful investment in providers’ success. With opportunities in both academic and community settings, MUSC Health provides the scale, resources, and infrastructure to support meaningful, long-term careers.

The Medical University of South Carolina is an Equal Opportunity Employer. MUSC does not discriminate based on race, color, religion or belief, age, sex, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, protected veteran status, family or parental status, or any other status protected by state laws and/or federal regulations. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment based upon applicable qualifications, merit and business need.