Physician Assistant / Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

Overview

Northwestern Medicine seeks a Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant to work in the Cardiothoracic Critical Care Intensive Care Unit (CTICU). This role supports a patient-first approach and provides opportunities to contribute across the Northwestern Medicine system. We offer competitive benefits including tuition reimbursement and loan forgiveness, 401(k) matching, and lifecycle benefits.

Schedule

• Each shift is 13 hours; start/end times are 6:00 AM – 7:00 PM or 6:00 PM – 7:00 AM
• Weekends and holidays as assigned
• Rotating days, nights, and weekends with the option for 100% nights if the candidate prefers

Clinical Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive, collaborative management of patient populations within the CTICU, including heart and lung transplants and dual organ transplants
• Develop and implement plans of care in collaboration with critical care and surgical services
• Coordinate with and incorporate consultative services into the patient’s plan of care as clinically indicated
• Prescribe and manage medications, including vasoactive drugs and antibiotics
• Manage ventilatory status and needs of patients in partnership with respiratory therapy
• Demonstrate competency to perform and assist with procedures such as central line placement, arterial line insertion, chest tube management, and bronchoscopy
• Complete timely and accurate problem-based, system-oriented documentation on patient’s clinical status
• Respond to and lead emergency response situations within the intensive care unit
• Provide education to patient and family throughout the clinical course
• Oversight and management of cardiac support devices including intra-aortic balloon pump, Impella, and ECMO
• Partner with transplant services to monitor and enact post-transplant protocols including immunosuppression, invasive rejection monitoring, and discharge planning

Essential Functions

Demonstrates clinical expertise and expanded knowledge through patient care activities; responsible for the health outcome of an assigned patient population. Collaborates with the supervising physician and other health professionals. Develops educational systems for patients, families, and staff; mentors graduate students in advanced practice and patient care. Actively participates in quality improvement and/or research pertinent to area of expertise.

Additional Duties and Responsibilities

• Conducts comprehensive appraisals of patients’ health status through health histories and physical examinations
• Provides direct clinical care to patients; prescribes/orders medications and therapies; orders/interprets laboratory tests, x-rays, and procedures within clinical privileges
• Evaluates patients to determine further health care needs
• Provides comprehensive teaching to patients and families; documents care and education provided in the medical record
• Refers to other disciplines as appropriate; acts as consultant within areas of expertise
• Integrates research-based knowledge and clinical expertise in decision making
• Maintains a professional image and advocacy 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; provides teaching for patients and families
• Develops and participates in programs to meet continuing education needs of staff; serves as a preceptor and provides education to internal and external groups
• Participates in quality improvement and/or research initiatives for the patient population

Qualifications

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 and current license as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse in Illinois; certification as APRN by a national certifying body as approved by the Illinois Department of Regulation APRN Board; or Master’s degree from an accredited Physician Assistant Program and current license as a Physician Assistant in Illinois
• Privileged and credentialed through the NMH Medical Staff Office (MSO)
• Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation – BLS, issued by the American Heart Association

Preferred

• 2 years of ICU experience

Additional Information

Northwestern Medicine is an equal opportunity employer (disability, VETS) 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.

Background Check

Northwestern Medicine conducts a background check that includes criminal history on newly hired team members and, at times, internal transfers. If offered a position, you will be required to complete an authorization and disclosure form that gives Northwestern Medicine permission to run the background check. Results are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and we follow all local, state, and federal laws, including the Illinois Health Care Worker Background Check Act.

Artificial Intelligence Disclosure

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position; however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.

Benefits

We offer a wide range of benefits that support employees’ well-being; please visit our Benefits section to learn more.

Sign-on Bonus Eligibility

Internal employees and rehires who left Northwestern Medicine within 1 year are not eligible for the sign-on bonus. Exception: New graduate internal employees seeking their first licensed clinical position at NM may be eligible depending upon the job family.