Summary

The Division of Cardiothoracic Transplant and Circulatory Support in the Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery is seeking an Advanced Practice Practitioner to provide care to patients within the specialties of adult cardiac and heart transplant under the direction of two physicians. The accepted candidate will be required to provide clinical excellence, scholarly enthusiasm, and a track record of excellent clinical performance. The practitioner will have direct patient care responsibilities in a hospital setting, be appointed as faculty instructor and be eligible for full faculty benefits.

Job Duties

Primary responsibilities include seeing follow up heart transplant, and adult cardiac patients in the inpatient hospital setting. 

• Obtains detailed history and performs physical examinations on patients.
• Evaluates and modifies the plan of care as needed (under the direction of the attending physician)
• Provides health education as well as post-operative care education to patients and family members.
• Orders and interprets diagnostics, and laboratory tests on patients as deemed appropriate. 
• Diagnoses medical conditions, plans, and implements interventions, and evaluates the patient response to care. 
• Prescribes and administers pharmaceutical treatments to patients.
• Maintains required records in the EPIC electronic medical record system. 
• Monitors and ensures accuracy of recording on patient medical records and writes progress notes on patient charts as to status, treatments, and procedures. 
• Primary advocate for use of the EPIC Electronic Medical Record to ensure that clinic-generated information is complete and up to date in the EPIC system. 
• Provides follow-up and health maintenance care to patients in accordance with protocols established by physicians. 
• Provide supervision, guidance and work direction to other nurses, medical assistants, clinic coordinators and other staff. 

Administrative Responsibilities:

• New referral intake management and patient record review. 
• Functions as a resource for the staff and acts as an informal educator to the staff while performing direct care activities. 
• Coordinates with clinic supervisor and transplant manager to optimize communication between ancillary staff and advanced practice providers for continuity and coordinator of care. 
• Management of education and training for advanced practice providers, registered nurses, and medical assistants. Responsible for attending, leading, and participating in weekly leadership meetings. 
• Promotes cost effective use of human and material resources, including equipment and supplies.

Minimum Qualifications

• Education Required: Master’s degree in Physician Assistant Studies. NOTE: Bachelor's degree in Physician Assistant Studies accepted based on terminal degree requirements at time of graduation.
• Experience Required: 5+ years of experience as a Nurse Practitioner or Physician's Assistant
• Certification/Licenses/Registration: Current license as a Physician Assistant by the State of Texas Physician Assistant Board. Specialty certification as required by department. Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification.