Acute Care Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant - Thoracic Surgery, Critical Care, Full-time, Days

At Northwestern Medicine, every patient interaction makes a difference in cultivating a positive workplace. This patient-first approach is what sets us apart as a leader in the healthcare industry. As an integral part of our team, you'll have the opportunity to join our quest for better healthcare, no matter where you work within the Northwestern Medicine system. At Northwestern Medicine, we pride ourselves on providing competitive benefits: from tuition reimbursement and loan forgiveness to 401(k) matching and lifecycle benefits, we take care of our employees. Ready to join our quest for better?

Northwestern Medicine has an exciting opportunity for either a Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant to join The Canning Thoracic Institute (CTI) as part of our Thoracic Surgery Team. CTI operates collaboratively across the Northwestern Medicine health system to advance our mission to deliver the highest quality care for patients with diseases of the chest, promote clinical innovation and discovery, and improve lung health in the Greater Chicago Community.

This role is for an APP to join our Thoracic Surgery Team with focus on Advanced Lung Failure patients, primarily Lung Transplant and ECMO. The Thoracic Surgery Team works collaboratively with our Lung Transplant Team to support our rapidly growing Lung Transplant Program. The APP will provide critical care management in the CTICU pre and post-transplant as well as on the surgical floor to provide patient continuity. Some role responsibilities include ventilator and ECMO management as well as bronchoscopies and chest tube placement. This position is 100% inpatient.

APP will be responsible for daily patient rounds, developing and carrying out plans of care, coordinating care with interdisciplinary team members and consultants, assisting in operating room, performing and assisting with bedside procedures including but not limited to bronchoscopy, chest tube placement, thoracentesis, tracheostomy insertion, ECMO cannulation/decannulation/reconfiguration.

Schedule: M-F, 4x10s - day off TBD; rotating weekends, future holiday coverage as staffing permits. No nights

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. 

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. 

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 Medical Staff Office (MSO)
• Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation – BLS, issued by the American Heart Association 

Preferred:

• critical care, procedural, or thoracic surgery experience

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.

Benefits

We offer a wide range of benefits that provide employees with tools and resources to improve their physical, emotional, and financial well-being while providing protection for unexpected life events. Please visit our Benefits section to learn more.