Physician Assistant (PA) - Cardiac Surgery

Discover Vanderbilt University Medical Center : Located in Nashville, Tennessee, and operating at a global crossroads of teaching, discovery, and patient care, VUMC is a community of individuals who come to work each day with the simple aim of changing the world. It is a place where your expertise will be valued, your knowledge expanded, and your abilities challenged. Vanderbilt Health is committed to an environment where everyone has the chance to thrive and where your uniqueness is sought and celebrated. It is a place where employees know they are part of something that is bigger than themselves, take exceptional pride in their work and never settle for what was good enough yesterday. Vanderbiltu2019s mission is to advance health and wellness through preeminent programs in patient care, education, and research. Organization: Cardiac Job Summary: The Vanderbilt Departments of Cardiac and Thoracic Surgery are seeking Physician Assistant (PA-C) candidates interested in independent Thoracic Organ Recovery. Vanderbilt has established a pathway for PAs to be trained in recovery of both hearts and lungs utilizing the most advanced organ preservation systems. The candidates must have at least one year of cardiac surgery operative experience. Vanderbilt University Medical Center is among the largest transplant centers in the United States and committed to advancing the frontiers of organ preservation. The heart transplant program has been on forefront of multiple recovery methods and is committed to training a talented workforce for the future. . KEY RESPONSIBILITIES u2022 Assessment of Health Status u2022 Performs and documents in the medical record a complete history and physical examination for acute and complex chronically ill patients. u2022 Orders and collects data using appropriate assessment techniques, relevant supporting diagnostic information and diagnostic procedures where indicated. u2022 The Physician Assistant may serve as the first responder for both nursing and house staff in the event of patient status changes, orders, and in situations requiring procedural and resuscitative interventions. u2022 Assesses for risks associated with the care of the acute and complex chronically ill patient including: medication side effects, immobility, impaired nutrition, fluid and electrolyte imbalance, immunocompetence, invasive interventions and diagnostic procedures. u2022 Coordinates daily rounds with the Attending physician teams, presents 24 hour patient report, collaborates in plan of care, and follows assigned patient population throughout the day. u2022 Diagnosis u2022 Collaborates with interdisciplinary health care team in making diagnoses of acute and complex chronic conditions. u2022 Manages diagnostic tests through ordering, interpretation, performance, and supervision. u2022 Formulates differential diagnoses by priority. u2022 Diagnoses complications and orders appropriate interventions u2022 Formulates Plan of Care u2022 Identifies expected outcomes from diagnosis, and formulates and documents a plan of care to address complex acute and chronic health care needs. u2022 Utilizes evidenced based practice guidelines or protocols in an individualized, dynamic plan of care that can be applied across the continuum. u2022 Implements and modifies plan of care u2022 Prescribes diagnostic strategies and therapeutic interventions both pharmacologic, non-pharmacologic and surgical, needed to achieve expected outcomes. u2022 Manages further diagnostic tests through ordering, interpretation, performance, and supervision. u2022 May perform advanced procedures consistent with privileges and competency validation including minor suturing, complex wound management, line and tube placements and removals. u2022 Communication and Collaboration u2022 Maintains ongoing communication and collaboration with interdisciplinary health care team . u2022 Facilitates and communicates with patient, family and staff to promote continuity of care across the iPAatient and outpatient continuum of care. u2022 Documentation. u2022 Documents/dictates key components of patient's progress via daily progress note, transfer, and discharge summary , and or clinic note where applicable. (h&p, daily progress notes, plan of care, problem lists, procedure notes, acute event note, discharge summaries, in medical record per specific patient unit or service, death summary) u2022 Documentation is timely, meets acute care compliance standards and captures patient acuity. u2022 Professional Practice u2022 Demonstrates Professional Practice behaviors including: preceptor/mentoring, education and instruction of students, nursing staff, nurses, graduate and novice Physician Assistants. u2022 Seeks opportunities for active engagement in research and the analysis of evidenced based practice. u2022 Actively participates in Grand Rounds, APN council meetings, faculty and unit meetings, M&M presentations. u2022 Maintains CEUs, and membership in a professional organization. TECHNICAL CAPABILITIES Our Nursing Philosophy: We believe highly skilled and specialized nursing care is essential to Vanderbilt University Medical Centeru2019s mission of quality in patient care, education and research. We believe nursing is an applied art and science focused on helping people, families and communities reach excellent health and well-being. As a Vanderbilt University Medical Center employee, you make a difference to our patients and their families by bringing compassion and care to those in need of hope and healing. Please see our current employee benefits offered: + Affordable High Quality Health Plan Options + Dental and /or vision plan + 403 (b) retirement plan + Paid Time off (flex PTO) + Tuition Reimbursement and adoption assistance (maximums applied) + Short-Long term disability + Subsidized backup childcare + And many more... Ask us about our current inpatient nursing supplemental Pay Program Achieve the Remarkable: Learn more about VUMC Nursing here (. Core Accountabilities: Organizational Impact: Executes job responsibilities with the understanding of how output would affect and impact other areas related to own job area/team with occasional guidance. Problem Solving/ Complexity of work: Analyzes moderately complex problems using technical experience and judgment. Breadth of Knowledge: Has expanded knowledge gained through experience within a professional area. Team Interaction: Provides informal guidance and support to team members. Core Capabilities : Supporting Colleagues:- Develops Self and Others: Invests time, energy, and enthusiasm in developing self/others to help improve performance e and gain knowledge in new areas.- Builds and Maintains Relationships: Maintains regular contact with key colleagues and stakeholders using formal and informal opportunities to expand and strengthen relationships.- Communicates Effectively: Recognizes group interactions and modifies one's own communication style to suit different situations and audiences. Delivering Excellent Services:- Serves Others with Compassion: Seeks to understand current and future needs of relevant stakeholders and customizes services to better address them.- Solves Complex Problems: Approaches problems from different angles; Identifies new possibilities to interpret opportunities and develop concrete solutions.- Offers Meaningful Advice and Support: Provides ongoing support and coaching in a constructive manner to increase employees' effectiveness. Ensuring High Quality: - Performs Excellent Work: Engages regularly in formal and informal dialogue about quality; directly addresses quality issues promptly.- Ensures Continuous Improvement: Applies various learning experiences by looking beyond symptoms to uncover underlying causes of problems and identifies ways to resolve them. - Fulfills Safety and Regulatory Requirements: Understands all aspects of providing a safe environment and performs routine safety checks to prevent safety hazards from occurring. Managing Resources Effectively: - Demonstrates Accountability: Demonstrates a sense of ownership, focusing on and driving critical issues to closure.- Stewards Organizational Resources: Applies understanding of the departmental work to effectively manage resources for a department/area.- Makes Data Driven Decisions: Demonstrates strong understanding of the information or data to identify and elevate opportunities. Fostering Innovation:- Generates New Ideas: Proactively identifies new ideas/opportunities from multiple sources or methods to improve processes beyond conventional approaches.- Applies Technology: Demonstrates an enthusiasm for learning new technologies, tools, and procedures to address short-term challenges.- Adapts to Change: Views difficult situations and/or problems as opportunities for improvement; actively embraces change instead of emphasizing negative elements. Position Qualifications: Responsibilities: Certifications: LIC-Physician's Assistant Certified - Tennessee Work Experience: Relevant Work Experience Experience Level: Less than 1 year Education: Master's _Vanderbilt Health is committed_ _to fostering an_ _environment where everyone has the chance to thrive and is committed to the principles of equal opportunity. EOE/Vets/Disabled._

Created: 2026-03-05