Pediatric Cardiac ICU

Job Summary

The Physician Assistant, Cardiac ICU will be working with a multidisciplinary team within the UT Southwestern Pediatric Critical Care/Cardiology division at Children’s Hospital in Dallas to provide comprehensive care to pediatric patients on our inpatient pediatric cardiac intensive care unit. These patients present with a wide variety of congenital and acquired heart disease. This position will require a high degree of critical thinking and clinical expertise in working with pediatric patients in the cardiac intensive care unit. The APP is responsible for the assessment, diagnosis, treatment, management, education, consultation, and health promotion and care coordination for patients and their families.

Scheduled Hours (24/7): 12-hour variable shifts (including nights and weekends)

Why UT Southwestern

Join UT Southwestern on our mission to educate, discover, and heal. With over 75 years of excellence in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, we are committed to excellence, innovation, teamwork, and compassion. As a world-renowned medical and research center, the Department of Pediatrics strives to provide the best possible care and resources for the community. Named by U.S News & World Hospital as one of the nation’s best pediatric hospitals and #28 in the nation for Cardiology & Heart Surgery, Children’s Medical Center Dallas and UT Southwestern Pediatric Group is dedicated to serving the cardiac needs of pediatric patients and conducting research to provide leading-edge care for the Dallas/Fort Worth community. We invite you to be a part of the UT Southwestern Advanced Practice Provider team where you’ll discover teamwork, professionalism, and consistent opportunities for growth. 

Experience and Education

• Master’s degree or higher in nursing, documentation of completion of accredited Advanced Practice Education Program. Graduate education and related Texas Board of Nursing authorization must be consistent with clinical practice area and patient population.
• Acute Care Certification required OR
• Graduate of a Master’s degree or higher Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) accredited Physician Assistant program.
• One year of pediatric cardiology experience providing medical (cardiology) care and post operative (cardiothoracic) experience preferred.
• New grads with previous RN pediatric bedside experience in cardiology or ICU may be considered.
• Experience with arterial, central venous, and chest tube placement, endotracheal intubation, lumbar puncture, and needle thoracentesis experience desired.

Licensure/Certification

• Licensure as Advanced Practice Registered Nurse by Texas State Board of Nursing. Authorization for prescriptive authority by the Texas Board of Nursing. OR
• Licensed by the Texas Physician Assistant Board. AND
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certified by the American Heart Association or Red Cross based on the UT Southwestern policy for Advanced Practice Providers.

Job Duties

• Conducts and documents comprehensive initial and ongoing physical examinations based on age and diagnosis, including psychological status.
• Synthesizes data and utilizes evidence to develop, implement, and evaluate the patient plan of care, including ordering and interpreting laboratory, radiology, and other diagnostic studies/results.
• Demonstrates proficiency in technical/procedural skills, as appropriate based on specialty and training.
• Provides relevant management, referrals, counseling, and education to patients, families and caregivers related to current care and preventive health measures.
• Facilitates/participates in quality related initiatives through planned group processes, workshops, seminars, and staff meetings, to improve clinical and system practice performance. 
• Collaborates in research projects and protocols; and routinely applies evidence based best practices to patient care.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities of Position

• Accuracy and ability to exercise considerable judgment.
• Ability to maintain current customer service, clinical, and technical skills.
• Ability to identify opportunities and provide suggestions for improvements in departmental policy, procedures, and protocols.
• Proficient use of EMR in the delivery of care

Working Conditions

Work is performed primarily in a clinical environment.  The incumbent may be exposed to body fluids and infectious diseases.

Any qualifications to be considered as equivalents in lieu of stated minimums require prior approval of Vice President for Human Resources Administration or his/her designee.

This position is security-sensitive and subject to Texas Education Code §51.215, which authorizes UT Southwestern to obtain criminal history record information.

UT Southwestern Medical Center is committed to an educational and working environment that provides equal opportunity to all members of the University community.  As an equal opportunity employer, UT Southwestern prohibits unlawful discrimination, including discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, or veteran status.