The Cardiac Surgery Advanced Care Practitioner (CRNP or PA,) in collaborative practice with physician(s), provides comprehensive medical care to patients following coronary revascularization, valvular surgery, cardiac bypass surgery, minimally invasive surgery, congenital heart surgery, and ventricular assist device placement.  Services are rendered predominately in cardiac ICU at DCH Regional Medical Center. 

1. Assesses the physical and mental condition of patients by performing and obtaining comprehensive or problem-focused physical examinations and medical histories.
2. Orders, collects, interprets, and evaluates laboratory and other diagnostic tests to assess patient problems and health care needs.
3. Prescribes, recommends, and/or employs medical drug therapies or other forms of related therapeutic treatments in accordance with policies and scope of practice. Recommends interventions to modify behavior associated with health risks.
4. Formulates and implements comprehensive outcomes-based patient treatment plans based on patient assessments, evidence-based medicine, standards of care, professional practice guidelines and in collaboration with physicians and other interdisciplinary team members when appropriate. Evaluates patient’s response to health care provided and the effectiveness of care.
5. Counsels patients and families regarding medical processes, management of the health illness/condition, medication, nutrition, and health promotion.
6. Maintains appropriate records detailing the patient’s treatment plans and outcomes. Initiates timely consultation and referral when the problem exceeds scope of practice and/or expertise.
7. Provides consultation level services for conditions/problems related to the Provider’s specialty, level of experience and training
8. Performs follows-up with patient both pre- and post-operatively, and may also round on patients in the hospital or see patients in the Emergency Department.
9. May be required to perform patient care duties beyond regular schedule based on coverage needs of the department.
10. Participates in hospital performance improvement program and quality initiatives.
11. Supports adherence to regulatory guidelines ascribed by State and Federal regulators.

DCH Standards:

• Maintains performance, patient and employee satisfaction and financial standards as outlined in the performance evaluation.
• Performs compliance requirements as outlined in the Employee Handbook
• Must adhere to the DCH Behavioral Standards including creating positive relationships with patients/families, coworkers, colleagues and with self.
• Performs essential job functions in a manner that ensures the safety of patients, visitors and employees.
• Identifies and reduces unsafe practices that may result in harm to patients, visitors and employees.
• Recognizes and takes appropriate action to reduce risks and hazards to promote safety for patients, visitors and employees.
• Requires use of electronic mail, time and attendance software, learning management software and intranet.
• Must adhere to all DCH Health System policies and procedures.
• All other duties as assigned.

1. Must be a graduate of an approved Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant program
2. Current Certified AL Registered Nurse Practitioner Licensure in good standing with Alabama Board of Nursing, or current licensure by the State of AL Board of Medical Examiners as a Physician Assistant
3. Must currently maintain, or be eligible for, DEA registration.
4. Acute Care hospital setting experience required.
5. Cardiovascular experience preferred; Critical Care experience preferred.
6. Excellent verbal communication skills to interact with patients, coworkers and other visitors.
7. Must be able to read, write legibly, speak, and comprehend English.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Ability to use medical supplies and equipment necessary to carry out the duties listed above.

Work is in a fast paced acute and ambulatory setting requires travel between the acute care hospital and the ambulatory clinics.  Must have the ability to take occasional night and weekend call.  Work requires walking, standing, sitting, lifting, reaching, bending, pushing, and pulling.  Must be able to lift and support weight of 75 pounds in handling patients and medical equipment and supplies.  Must speak English fluently and in understandable terms.  Must possess an intact sense of sight, hearing, smell, touching and finger dexterity.  Must be able to respond quickly to changes in patient and/or clinic conditions.  Possible exposure to communicable diseases.

Will limit access to protected health information (PHI) to the information reasonably necessary to do the job.  Will share information only on a need to know basis for work purposes.  Access to verbal, written and electronic PHI for this job has been determined based on job level and job responsibility within the organization.  Computerized access to PHI for this job has been determined as described above and is controlled via user ID and password.

Physical presence onsite is essential.  Hearing and vision must be normal or corrected to within normal range.  Able to perform the duties with or without reasonable accommodation