Overview
General Summary
The PA-C/APRN functions as an advanced practice provider and collaborative practitioner within the Pediatric Cardiac Surgery team. Responsibilities include:
- Provide preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative management of congenital cardiac surgery patients.
- Serve as first assist in adult congenital and pediatric cardiothoracic surgical procedures.
- Travel to outreach clinics to evaluate patients independently or under physician supervision as needed.
- Perform comprehensive histories, physical examinations, and preoperative evaluations.
- Order, interpret, and communicate diagnostic testing including laboratory studies, ECGs, echocardiograms, chest radiographs, CT, MRI, and other cardiac imaging as appropriate.
- Participate in daily multidisciplinary rounds in the CVICU, step-down unit, and inpatient hospital settings.
- Develop and implement treatment.
- Manage postoperative patients including chest tubes, pacing wires, drains, wound care, anticoagulation, pain management, and discharge planning.
- Perform bedside procedures within scope of practice, including chest tube removal, temporary pacing wire removal, vascular access procedures, wound management, and other procedural responsibilities as credentialed.
- Assist with coordination of transfers, consultations, and continuity of care throughout the congenital heart center.
- Collaborate with physicians, nurses, advanced practice providers, perfusionists, respiratory therapists, and ancillary staff to provide comprehensive patient-centered care.
Outpatient Responsibilities
- Participate in postoperative surgical clinic appointments.
- Evaluate established and new patients in collaboration with the pediatric cardiac surgeons.
- Attend all surgical consultations and document encounters.
- Assist with long-term postoperative surveillance and care coordination.
- Participate in outreach clinics as assigned
Schedule Details
- 7am-5pm, depending on OR needs, schedule varies if taking call rotation, and holiday coverage as determined by departmental needs
Required Education and Experience
- Master's or Doctoral Degree from an accredited Physician Assistant or Advanced Practice Registered Nurse program.
- Current NCCPA certification (PA-C) or national APRN certification.
- One to three years of pediatric cardiac surgery, cardiothoracic surgery, pediatric critical care, cardiac ICU, or related surgical experience preferred.
- Previous first assist experience in cardiac surgery required.
Licensure, Certification, and Registration
- Current Florida PA or APRN license (or eligibility for Florida licensure).
- NCCPA certification (PA-C) or national APRN certification (ANCC, AACN, or equivalent).
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience caring for congenital heart disease patients.
- Experience in pediatric or congenital cardiac surgery first assisting.
- Familiarity with postoperative management of neonatal and pediatric and adult congenital cardiac surgical patients.
- Commitment to family-centered care, patient safety, and quality improvement.
Hospital Description
AdventHealth Orlando is an internationally renowned hospital that specializes in life-saving medical treatments, preventative care and pioneering research. Our healing network includes 30 hospitals and more than 100 extended service locations across the state of Florida. Everything we do is designed to fulfill our ultimate goal — to help people live a healthier, fuller life in mind, body and spirit.
AdventHealth is a network of ten hospitals around the greater Orlando area, which total approximately 3,000 beds. AdventHealth operates many hospitals across nine different states; 30 of which are in Florida. Our mission has remained the same and is to Extend the Healing Ministry of Christ.
Since 1908, AdventHealth Orlando has cared for the Central Florida community as well as patients from around the world. AdventHealth Orlando is an acute-care, tertiary hospital caring for approximately 300,000 patients a year. As the primary campus for more than 1,000 physicians, AdventHealth Orlando is home to nationally recognized Centers of Excellence for Cancer, Cardiology, Children, Diabetes, Neuroscience, Orthopaedics, and Abdominal and Cardiothoracic Transplant.
AdventHealth Orlando was named a 2024-2025 Best Hospital by the magazine U.S. News & World Report. The hospital was ranked No. 1 in the Orlando metro area, and No. 4 in the state. It is the 14th year in a row AdventHealth Orlando has claimed the top spot in Orlando. In addition, the hospital was ranked among the top 50 in the nation for four specialties: diabetes and endocrinology; neurology and neurosurgery; obstetrics and gynecology and ear, nose and throat.
Community Description
AdventHealth is conveniently close to many gorgeous homes, downtown urban living, shopping, and great schools. As one of the most visited American cities, Orlando has world-class attractions including Universal Studios, Walt Disney World, and easy access to both coasts for numerous world renown beaches. Orlando is home to major league soccer (Orlando City Lions), NBA basketball (Orlando Magic) as well as University of Central Florida sports. The city also has many public and private universities and colleges. The Dr. Phillips Center for Performing Arts hosts variety of musical and theatrical performances throughout the year.