Advanced Practice Provider - Cardiothoracic Surgery

Position Summary

Department: Bayfront Medical Group Cardiothoracic Surgery 

Status: Full Time 

Title: ARNP, PAC, Nurse Practitioner, Physicians Assistant, APP, Advanced Practice Provider

Situated in the heart of downtown St. Petersburg, Bayfront Health St. Petersburg is a 480-bed, comprehensive emergency, medical and surgical acute-care facility that has been serving the St. Petersburg community for over 110 years. The hospital’s areas of clinical excellence include heart and vascular, surgical services, rehabilitation services, neurosciences and maternity care, and – as home to the only state-accredited Level II Adult Trauma Center in the St. Petersburg region – emergency services and trauma care. Bayfront Health St. Petersburg also offers a DNV-GL Comprehensive Stroke Center, the only Level IV Epilepsy Center in Pinellas County, and, in partnership with Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, one of only13 stateapproved Level III Regional Perinatal Intensive Care Centers (RPICC).

Bayfront Health St. Petersburg is part of the Orlando Health system of care, which includes award-winning hospitals and ERs, specialty institutes, urgent care centers, primary care practices and outpatient facilities that span Florida’s east to west coasts and beyond. Collectively, our 27,000+ team members honor our over 100-year legacy by providing professional and compassionate care to the patients, families and communities we serve.

Orlando Health is committed to providing you with benefits that go beyond the expected, with career-growing FREE education programs and well-being services to support you and your family through every stage of life. We begin your benefits on day one and offer flexibility wherever possible so that you can be present for your passions. “Orlando Health Is Your Best Place to Work” is not just something we say, it’s our promise to you.

Position Summary:

The Advanced Practice Provider (Physician Assistant or Advanced Practice Registered Nurse) functions as an integral member of the Cardiothoracic Surgery team, providing comprehensive care across the perioperative continuum for adult cardiac and thoracic surgical patients. Responsibilities include first assisting in complex cardiac and thoracic surgical procedures, perioperative management, critical care, inpatient care, and emergency surgical coverage. The APP practices with a high degree of clinical autonomy in collaboration with cardiothoracic surgeons and multidisciplinary team members to deliver exceptional patient care and optimize surgical outcomes.

Our program provides a comprehensive spectrum of adult cardiac and thoracic surgical services, including right anterior mini-thoracotomy aortic, mitral, tricuspid, and multi-valve surgery; robotic minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass (MIDCAB) surgery utilizing LIMA-to-LAD revascularization; robotic left atrial appendage ligation; off-pump and conventional coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG); surgical ablation procedures; and a full range of general thoracic surgery, including minimally invasive and robotic thoracic procedures. The APP plays a key role in supporting these advanced surgical programs through operative, perioperative, and postoperative patient management.

Responsibilities

First assists in adult cardiac and thoracic surgical procedures, including coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), valve repair and replacement, minimally invasive cardiac procedures, robotic cardiac procedures, and thoracic surgical procedures.

Performs Endoscopic Vein Harvesting (EVH) for coronary artery bypass graft procedures.

Assists with operative exposure, conduit harvesting, cannulation, decannulation, hemostasis, chest closure, and other advanced surgical techniques as appropriate.

Participates in preoperative preparation of surgical patients and collaborates with anesthesia and operating room personnel to ensure operative readiness.

Is present in the operating room prior to the start of each surgical case to assist with case preparation, setup, and perioperative coordination.

Remains with the patient through transport and CVICU handoff following surgery until care is transferred and accepted by the attending surgeon or intensivist.

Provides comprehensive postoperative management of cardiac and thoracic surgical patients in the CVICU, step-down units, and inpatient settings.

Performs daily rounds independently and in collaboration with attending cardiothoracic surgeons.

Evaluates, diagnoses, and manages postoperative complications, including arrhythmias, respiratory insufficiency, bleeding, infection, and hemodynamic instability.

Obtains comprehensive histories and physical examinations and develops appropriate treatment plans.

Writes and manages perioperative, admission, transfer, and discharge orders within scope of practice.

Interprets laboratory studies, imaging, hemodynamic monitoring, and other diagnostic data to guide patient management.

Performs bedside procedures as credentialed, including chest tube management, removal of temporary pacing wires, arterial line placement, central venous access, thoracentesis, and other approved procedures.

Responds to urgent and emergent cardiothoracic surgical issues throughout the hospital.

Conducts preoperative consultations and postoperative follow-up evaluations.

Provides patient and family education regarding surgical procedures, recovery, and discharge planning.

Collaborates closely with surgeons, intensivists, cardiologists, pulmonologists, nursing staff, rehabilitation services, and case management teams to ensure coordinated patient care.

Participates in on-call coverage and is able to respond on-site within 30 minutes when scheduled for call.

Completes a brief operative note immediately following surgical procedures and completes all required clinical documentation, including operative notes, progress notes, discharge summaries, and procedural documentation.

Enters Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) registry data on the day of surgery and assumes primary responsibility for accurate, timely case data entry.

Maintains the cardiothoracic surgery case log and distributes updates to the surgical team on a weekly basis.

Maintains the intraoperative photo and video registry in accordance with departmental standards.

Participates in the monthly outcomes and case review conference and actively supports the STS data quality review process.

Participates in quality improvement initiatives, departmental projects, clinical research activities, and STS registry support as designated.

Acts as a clinical resource and mentor for APPs, nursing staff, students, and other healthcare professionals.

Maintains compliance with all Orlando Health policies, regulatory requirements, and credentialing standards.

Maintains reasonably regular, punctual attendance consistent with Orlando Health policies and applicable federal, state, and local regulations.

Qualifications

Education/Licensure

• Graduate of an accredited Physician Assistant or Advanced Practice Registered Nurse program. Required.
• Current Florida Physician Assistant or Advanced Practice Registered Nurse license. Required.
• Current BLS certification. Required.
• Current ACLS certification. Required.

Experience

• Minimum of three (3) years of experience as an Advanced Practice Provider in Cardiothoracic Surgery. Required.
• Demonstrated experience first assisting in adult cardiac surgical procedures, including CABG and valve surgery. Required.
• Endoscopic Vein Harvesting (EVH) experience. Required.
• Experience managing postoperative cardiothoracic surgery patients in the ICU and inpatient settings. Required.
• Experience with thoracic surgical procedures, including minimally invasive and robotic thoracic surgery, preferred.
• Experience with minimally invasive and robotic cardiac surgical procedures. Preferred.