Cardiothoracic Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant

The Nurse Practitioner (NP) is responsible for assuring quality care and best practice for select cardiothoracic patients under the direct supervision of a physician. In particular, the NP will ensure patients receive appropriate and timely assessments, treatments, education, and disposition to support the quality initiatives of the cardiothoracic service line which reflects best practice. This objective includes, but is not limited to, the CMS, ACC, and top performers initiative. Documentation of care will support care given. The NP will work with the hospital staff to facilitate throughput for patient flow and timely discharge. The NP may perform his/her duties at St. Joseph’s/Candler health system where the physician regularly sees patients. He/she is not precluded from performing any functions delegated by the supervising physician which is included in the collaborative practice agreements and is consistent with the NP qualifications. Supervision means overseeing the activities of, and accepting the responsibility for, the medical services rendered by a NP. The supervising physician need not be physically present at the time of the services but shall be immediately available by telecommunications and within reasonable travel distance to assume personal care. The NP is expected to understand and comply with all current laws, rules and regulations which govern the practice of Nurse Practitioners in the State of Georgia and will be acknowledging this by affixing their signature on the NP practice application. The NP may gather a database on select cardiothoracic patients, which may include a complete medical history and physical examination and medical record review. He/she may order the appropriate initial diagnostic studies and initiate and transcribe orders under the direct order of the physician. The NP will be responsible for transmitting that effectively communicating that information orally or through notation in the patient’s medical record, to the supervising physician for review and to the St. Joseph’s/Candler health system staff providing care to the patients and family. The NP may order/select a dangerous drug or controlled substance or order medical treatments or diagnostic studies in any health care setting in accordance with Rule 360-32-.02(5) between the Nurse Practitioner and delegating physician. The NP, if qualified by training and experience as determined by the supervising physician, may perform medical treatments, diagnostic procedures, or tasks as delegated by the supervising physician which fall within the scope of the collaborative practice agreements with the supervising physician. The NP shall be on-call with their supervising physician(s) and return to the hospital within 30 minutes of notification for urgent/emergent situations. In a life threatening emergency situation, when the supervising physician is not present, the NP may initiate appropriate evaluation and treatment. The NP may carry out a prescription drug or device order in any health care setting in accordance with Rule 360-32-.02(6) between the Nurse Practitioner and delegating physician. The NP shall attend professional education programs to keep current with accepted changes in practice and to satisfy continuing education requirements of the State.