Physician Assistant or Acute Care Nurse Practitioner - Cardiothoracic Critical Care Intensive Care Unit (CTICU), Full-time, Rotating

Description

Northwestern Medicine has an exciting opportunity for either a Nurse Practitioner or a Physician Assistant to work in our Cardiothoracic Critical Care Intensive Care Unit (CTICU).   

Schedule: 

• Each shift is 13-hours; start end times are ~5:30/6AM - 7PM, 7PM - 6AM
• Weekends and holidays as assigned
• Rotating days, nights, and weekends with the option for 100% nights if candidate prefers

Clinical Responsibilities:

• Provide comprehensive, collaborative management of the patient populations within the cardiothoracic intensive care unit (CTICU). Including heart and lung transplants, as well as dual organ transplants.
• Develop and implement plans of care in collaboration with critical care and surgical services.
• Coordinate with and incorporate consultative services into patient’s plan of care as clinically indicated
• Prescribe and manage medications for patient inclusive of vasoactive drugs and antibiotics
• Manage ventilatory status and needs of patients in partnership with respiratory therapy
• Demonstrate competency to perform and assist with procedures such as central line placement, arterial line insertion, chest tube management, and bronchoscopy
• Complete timely and accurate problem-based, system-oriented documentation on patient’s clinical status
• Respond to and lead emergency response situations within intensive care unit
• Provide education to patient and family throughout clinical course
• Oversight and management of cardiac support devices inclusive of intra-aortic balloon pump, impellas, and ECMO
• Partner with transplant services to monitor and enact post-transplant protocols inclusive of immunosuppression, invasive rejection monitoring, and discharge planning

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. 

Additional Duties and 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 required for APRNs
• Current license as a Registered Nurse in the State of Illinois. Current license as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse in the State of Illinois. Certification as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse by a national certifying body as approved by the Illinois Department of Regulation APRN Board. Once licensed may apply for a controlled substance license and DEA number OR Master’s degree from an accredited Physician Assistant Program/Current license as a Physician Assistant in the State of Illinois. Once licensed may apply for a controlled substance license and DEA number
• Privileged and credentialed through the NMH Medical Staff Office (MSO)
• Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation – BLS, issued by the American Heart Association 

Preferred:

• 2 years of ICU experience

Equal Opportunity

Northwestern Medicine is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status.

If we offer you a job, we will perform a background check that includes a review of any criminal convictions. A conviction does not disqualify you from employment at Northwestern Medicine. We consider this on a case-by-case basis and follow all state and federal guidelines.