Cardiac Critical Care Nurse Practitioner - CVICU

Critical Care Nurse Practitioner / Physician Assistant – Cardiovascular ICU (CVICU)

MedStar Washington Hospital Center | Washington, DC

Advance your critical care career with one of the nation's leading cardiovascular programs.

MedStar Health is seeking an experienced Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) or Physician Assistant (PA) to join our Cardiovascular Critical Care team at MedStar Washington Hospital Center, the flagship hospital of the MedStar Heart & Vascular Institute.

Join a collaborative, multidisciplinary team caring for some of the region's most complex cardiovascular patients, including those requiring advanced heart failure management, LVAD support, ECMO, and complex cardiac and vascular surgery.

Whether you're an experienced cardiovascular critical care APP or an ICU-trained APP looking to expand your expertise, this is an opportunity to advance your clinical skills, perform advanced procedures, and practice at the top of your license.

Why Join Our Team?

• 12–16 Weeks of Extensive Onboarding: Receive dedicated, specialty-focused onboarding to further develop your expertise in high-acuity cardiovascular critical care. 

• Advanced Clinical Practice: Care for patients with complex cardiovascular conditions, including cardiogenic shock, advanced heart failure, LVADs, ECMO, and postoperative cardiac and vascular surgical needs.

• Hands-On Procedural Experience: Perform advanced bedside procedures, including central venous and dialysis catheter placements, arterial lines, chest tubes, and thoracentesis.

• Collaborative Team Environment: Work alongside cardiovascular intensivists, cardiac surgeons, advanced heart failure specialists, and an experienced multidisciplinary ICU team.

• Professional Development: Participate in weekly didactics, journal clubs, mentorship, teaching, quality improvement, and leadership opportunities.

• Nationally Recognized Excellence: MedStar Washington Hospital Center has been ranked the #1 hospital in the region, with its Cardiology, Heart & Vascular program ranked #16 nationally by U.S. News & World Report.

What You'll Do

• Evaluate and manage critically ill patients following complex cardiac and vascular surgery, as well as those with advanced heart failure and other cardiovascular emergencies.

• Manage cardiogenic and other forms of shock, respiratory failure, acute heart failure, renal failure, and multisystem critical illness.

• Provide care for patients requiring advanced mechanical circulatory support, including LVAD and ECMO.

• Perform advanced bedside procedures within your training and clinical privileges.

• Participate in multidisciplinary rounds and collaborate with intensivists, surgeons, specialists, APPs, nurses, and other members of the critical care team.

• Contribute to APP education, mentorship, quality improvement, and evidence-based clinical practice.

Qualifications

• Graduate of an accredited AGACNP or PA program with current national certification.

• Minimum 1 year of ICU experience as an NP or PA.

• Current BLS and ACLS certifications.

• CVICU, CICU, or cardiothoracic critical care experience preferred, including LVAD, ECMO, and advanced bedside procedures such as central venous and arterial line placement, dialysis catheters, chest tubes, and thoracentesis.

Cardiovascular critical care experience is preferred, not required. Experienced ICU APPs looking to expand their expertise are encouraged to apply.

Schedule & Benefits

• 13-hour day and night shifts with block scheduling

• Competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits package

• CME support and reimbursement for licensing and certifications

• Retirement benefits and malpractice coverage

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) eligibility

• Ongoing education, mentorship, and professional development opportunities

Take the Next Step in Your Critical Care Career

At MedStar Washington Hospital Center, you'll be part of a nationally recognized cardiovascular program where advanced practice providers play an essential role in delivering exceptional care to some of the region's most critically ill patients.

You'll gain exposure to complex cardiovascular conditions, expand your procedural expertise, and grow professionally alongside a team committed to clinical excellence, collaboration, and continuous learning.

Bring your critical care experience. We'll help you take it further.

Apply today to join the Cardiovascular Critical Care team at MedStar Washington Hospital Center!