Summary

The David J. Sugarbaker Division of Thoracic Surgery in the Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery is seeking a qualified Advanced Practice Provider to provide high quality surgical care under the direction of a group of physicians at Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center. Candidate will be expected to provide clinical excellence and scholarly enthusiasm. The provider will have direct patient care responsibilities. The selected candidate will be appointed as a faculty Instructor and be eligible for full faculty benefits.

Job Duties

Primary responsibilities include inpatient care of thoracic surgery patients in coordination with attending physician and resident physician teams. This will include thorough pre-round chart review, engagement in collaborative rounds with attending physicians as well as independent rounding, documentation of clinical decision-making and treatment plans, coordination and execution of the day’s care plan, including wound management and other procedural interventions as needed, and frequent follow up on pt progress and testing to ensure patients are progressing through their plan of care.

• Obtain detailed history and perform physical examinations. See consults independently and/or with residents/fellows in various settings – floor, ICU, ED, etc.
• Formulate assessments and plans and evaluate the patient response to care
• Order and interpret appropriate diagnostic procedures, including, but not limited to x-rays, electrocardiograms, laboratory tests, and MR and CT imaging
• Ensure timely and accurate documentation in the EPIC electronic medical record system
• Prescribe appropriate pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments (while inpatient and upon discharge)
• Educate patients on prescribed therapeutic regimens, home care and health maintenance
• Remove chest tubes and JP drains as indicated, provide wound care to chest tube sites and surgical wounds
• Perform bedside simple wound debridement, suture closure, and bedside intrapleural therapeutic procedures
• Provide wound care and education on cervical esophagostomies, negative pressure wound therapies (wound vac), feeding tubes, indwelling pleural catheters, and tracheostomies to patients and staff
• Provide guidance and work direction to support staff, including, but not limited to nurses, social workers, and clinic coordinators
• Optimize discharge planning for all patients including participation in daily multidisciplinary rounds for floor and ICU patients, as well as timely and clear discharge communication to outpatient team
• Communicate with physicians, patients, and the family members of patients concerning patient care
• Provide orientation, direction and support to PA/NP students, medical students, and/or residents assigned to the service
• Promote a positive work environment with a team-based approach through supportive and respectful interactions with peers, staff, learners, and faculty
• Other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

• Education Required: Master’s degree in in Nursing.
• Experience Required: None required.
• Certification/Licenses/Registration: Current license as a Registered Nurse (RN) by the State of Texas Board of Nursing. Current Texas Licensure as an Advanced Practice Nurse (APRN-NP), and specialty certification as required by department. Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification

Required Qualifications

• Master's degree from an accredited Physician Assistant/Nurse Practitioner Program
• Board certification by appropriate certifying organization
• Licensed as a Physician Assistant/Nurse Practitioner in the State of Texas
• DEA certification

Preferred Qualifications

• Surgical experience preferred