Advanced Practice Provider Thoracic Surgery at St. Elizabeth Healthcare

St. Elizabeth Healthcare is looking for a non-cardiac thoracic surgical PA/APRN to join a high volume and growing Thoracic and Foregut surgery service line. The current group includes 3 thoracic surgeons along with NP and PA support.  Primary responsibilities include first assisting on surgical cases including Video assisted, Robotic assisted and open cases involving the lung, esophagus, chest wall and mediastinum. Other responsibilities include inpatient and outpatient surgical care under the supervision of a thoracic surgeon.

Our service line is comfortable working on both sides of the diaphragm and consequently approach the chest and foregut as a unit rather than dividing problems between those in the chest and those in the abdomen. Our thoracic service is part of a multi-disciplinary team, which includes specialists from oncology, radiology, pulmonology and gastroenterology.

St. Elizabeth Healthcare is a five-hospital, 1,000 bed community health system in a market of 400,000 people.  Enjoy a competitive compensation and benefits package (including relocation assistance, CME allowance, cell phone stipend and health benefits) along with a great place to live and work.

Our practice is based at St. Elizabeth’s main campus in Edgewood, Kentucky (minutes from Downtown Cincinnati). This opportunity allows you to enjoy all the amenities of a major metropolitan area as well as the natural charms of Northern Kentucky. This region boasts affordable costs of living, award-winning schools, college and professional sports, exceptional fine arts and is home to seven Fortune 500 Companies.

Direct Patient Care (Inpatient / Outpatient)

• Provide care to patients including assessment, comprehensive evaluation, interpretation of diagnostic data, and coordination of patient plans of care as well as staff, patient and caregiver education.
• Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of St. Elizabeth Healthcare’s clinical pathways (for appropriate area of practice) and applicable clinical policies and procedures.
• Demonstrates competence in patient assessment, prescribing of pharmaceutical agents, and utilization of evidence-based practices.
• Initiates medical orders including, but not limited to, orders for prescribing and dispensing certain medications within the Nurse Practitioner / Physician Assistant scope of practice as defined by applicable state law and established hospital protocols. 

For APPs with Surgical First Assist Training / Certification

• Demonstrates aseptic technique while providing care to perioperative patients utilizing advanced surgical instruments, including robotic instrumentation and technology. 
• Under direction of surgeon(s), completes and/or assists with surgical procedures within the APPs scope of practice.

Planning/Organizing/Initiating

• Organize and prioritize clinical responsibilities to maximize time, efficiency, and productivity.
• Implement and evaluate progress toward goals for prescribed plan of care based on protocols/guidelines/pathways.
• Provide patient care information to staff and collaborate with supervising physician(s) about the patient’s progress.
• Demonstrates flexibility, sound judgment, and adaptability in decision making/problem solving/team building to function as an effective team member.
• In collaboration with the surgeons, develop and participate in call as needed.

Education, Credentials, Licenses (Nurse Practitioner):

• Graduate of an accredited Nurse Practitioner Program- Master’s degree in nursing with National Nurse Practitioner Certification in appropriate specialty area.

Education, Credentials, Licenses (Physician Assistant):

• Graduate of an accredited Physician Assistant Program and meets the requirement for certification/re-certification by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA)

Licensed as a Nurse Practitioner / Physician Assistant in the state where work is being performed including completion of CME/CEU requirements.

Requires Certificate of Authority and Standard Care Arrangement with collaborating physician to practice as a nurse practitioner or physician assistant.

Must have SEH medical staff privileges as an advanced practice provider.

DEA Certificate with prescribing/dispensing privileges in the state where work is being performed.

Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.

Specialized Knowledge: 

Demonstrated skills and knowledge as a Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant in an inpatient hospital setting.

Strong computer skills including electronic medical record.

Excellent verbal, written, and oral communication skills.

Demonstrated leadership ability.

Ability to perform effectively in emergent and stressful situations.                          

Kind and Length of Experience: 

Two years of a variety of clinical experiences including acute care and ambulatory settings.            

Communication

• Maintain effective verbal and written communication skills with all members of the healthcare team to promote continuity of care.
• Documentation in the patient’s medical record regarding all treatments and interventions is clear, concise and completed in a timely manner.
• Interactions with all health care professionals are conducted in a professional manner.
• Keep hospital staff/management informed of pertinent information. Provide educational sessions for facility staff as needed. 
• Effectively communicates with patient family/significant other in a professional manner. 
• Demonstrates excellent customer service skills with patients, visitors, and healthcare team.

General Work Practice

• Maintain a safe work environment, which is conducive to and complies with all state, federal, and facility and regulatory standards, policies, and procedures.
• Maintain a current collaborative practice agreement with applicable physician(s).
• Adhere to HIPAA guidelines, professional code of ethics and appropriate billing practices in executing role. 
• Participates in the quality improvement activities and community education.

Health and Safety

• Adhere to infection control, emergency, safety, fire and disaster plans and policies, completing required initial training and updates. 
• Demonstrate consistent use of standard precautions and proper body mechanics. 
• Participates in accurate and complete surgical counts. 
• Follow OSHA guidelines. Provide a safe environment to protect patients, visitors and facility staff.

Personal Growth and Development

• Evaluate own educational needs and seeks to enhance knowledge base. 
• Participate in professional organizations associated with area of specialty.
• Performs other duties as assigned.