Physician Assistant - Pediatrics

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.