Position Summary

The Nurse Practitioner (NP II) is a licensed practitioner who is responsible for the management and coordination of care for the Cardiothoracic-Vascular Surgical and Cardiovascular patients in accordance with State and Federal rules and regulation and the standards of practice for NP’s (BRN, 2013; AANP, 2019). The NP practices as a member of the interdisciplinary healthcare team using standardized procedures to independently examine, diagnose, treat, implement, and evaluate patients in collaboration with supervising physician(s).

 The incumbent supports management in achieving a high-quality program for the Cardiothoracic-Vascular Surgical and Cardiovascular patient populations, for both clinical outcomes and customer service in an efficient manner. The NP II is knowledgeable of the latest clinical trends, best practices, regulatory requirements and reimbursement patterns for patients in the specialty program. 

 Expert Clinical Practice and Collaboration

A.      Independently examines, diagnoses, orders diagnostic studies, and develops treatment plans for Cardiothoracic-Vascular surgery and Cardiovascular patients using approved standardized procedures.  

B.      Prescribes appropriate pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatment modalities

C.      Evaluates the effectiveness of interventions and adjusts treatment as indicated.

D.      Provides direct and indirect patient care.

1.        Coordinates, prioritizes and organizes individualized patient care in collaboration with supervising physician(s) and multidisciplinary team

2.        Performs age appropriate care for complex acute, critical, and chronically ill patients.

3.        Collaborates with members of the healthcare team to create a patient plan of care.

4.        Transcribes daily notes in patients’ chart who are assigned to service, documenting updated plan of care in accordance with supervising physician and multidisciplinary team

5.        Provides individualized patient and family education and documents in the patient teaching plan.

6.        Communicates with supervising physician and physician consultants treating the patient.

7.        Anticipates discharge on admission and plans accordingly.

8.        Ensures accurate patient problem list and medication reconciliation on admission and discharge.

9.        Utilizes culturally specific competencies for diverse patients.

10.    Utilizes age specific competencies for adult-gerontologic patients.

11.    Ensures accuracy of acuity with appropriate documentation.

12.    Ensures a seamless transition through the hospital continuum of care. May follow in an outpatient clinic or physician’s office.

13.    The Cardiothoracic-Vascular Surgical and Cardiovascular NP manages the care of the patient through the healthcare continuum.

14.    May practice in a clinic, inpatient setting and/or outpatient setting.

15.    May oversee support groups for specific patient diagnosis or population related to cardiothoracic/cardiovascular surgery.

 Specialty Care Development

A.      Identifies ideas and insights into clinical improvements for specialty patient population.

B.      Ensure that queries generated by medical records regarding the accuracy of documentation have an appropriate response.

C.      Monitor and manage the patient progression through hospitalization.

D.      May oversee the accurate collection and entry of data specific to patient population. May prepare or oversee the preparation of reports regarding specialty care.

E.       Reviews clinical outcomes, progression of care, and financial indicators with appropriate Medical Directors and other specialty physicians.

F.       Provide education for members of the interprofessional team regarding special needs in the care of specialty patient population.

G.      Acts as a consultant to other care lines, service lines, BPTs on specialty specific patient care needs.

H.      Actively participates in requested committees and meetings.

Quality Improvement and Research

A.      Recommends, supports, participates or leads quality improvement initiatives regarding specialty care.

B.      May participate as an investigator, co-investigator in research studies specific to patient population.

C.      Participates in requested peer review activities.

D.      Assists with teaching classes that pertain to specialty patient population

Additional responsibilities:

A.      Complies with all policies and procedures.

B.      Completes the “Clinical Competency Assessment and Proctoring Plan” within allotted time frame from hire date.

C.      Maintains standardized procedures and privileging/credentialing requirements according to medical staff AHP rules and regulations.

D.      Participates in the orientation and development of students and/or new staff as assigned.

Position Requirements

A.      The NP II has the responsibility for the Cardiothoracic-Vascular surgical and Cardiovascular patient population. May work across care settings to follow their patients.

B.      Has worked as a Cardiothoracic and vascular surgery NP for at least 2 years with this specific patient population, and has a minimum of 3 years of critical care experience

C.      Current license as a Registered Nurse (RN) in the State of California.

D.      Graduate of an accredited nurse practitioner program.

E.       Current certification as an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP) or Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) in the State of California from an agency accredited by the Accreditation Board for Specialty Nursing Certification (ABSNC).

F.       Current furnishing license to furnish medications in the State of California.

G.      Has an individual Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) License issued by the United States DEA for Schedule III-V controlled substances. If NP will be prescribing Schedule II medications the NP must also have the DEA license for Schedule II controlled substances.

H.      Must have a National Provider Identifier (NPI) and be enrolled in the Provider Enrollment, Chain, and Ownership System (PECOS) within 90 days of hire.

I.         Current Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) Certification from the American Heart Association.

J.        Additional certifications as applicable per department and medical staff requirements.