Under general supervision and direction of the Cardiac Surgeons, and in accordance with the rules and regulations of Massachusetts governing Nurse Practitioner’s or Physician Assistant practice, the Advanced Practice Provider (APP) will be responsible for the care of patients on the Cardiac Surgical Service.
• Participate in the development and implementation of care plans, coordinate tests and consultations, implement treatment plans, communicate with referring physicians, perform patient education, and prepare patients for discharge, all while keeping Surgeons updated as required.
• Maintains open lines of communication between Cardiac Surgeons, Intensivists, Fellows, APPs, Nursing Staff, Cardiologists, and patients/families.
• Promotes a collaborative relationship and effort between the medical staff and professional nurses toward continuity of patient care and efficient use of resources.
Pre-operative Responsibilities:
• Function in direct collaboration with Cardiac Surgeons in the division in the evaluation and assessment of pre and post-operative outpatients
• Performs comprehensive initial pre-operative cardiac surgical patient evaluation
• Performs Pre Admission Testing (PAT) for patients awaiting cardiac surgery
• Follow and manage patients during interim period between PAT visit and date of surgery to include following up on all pre-op data
• Facilitate scheduling of operative procedures by coordinating with the division surgical scheduler.
• Performs post operative outpatient assessment of patients
• Participate in the development of pre-op and post discharge protocols to standardize practice
• Collaborate with the Administrative Division Manager to ensure patient schedules and referrals are completed and correct.
• Coordinate pre and post-operative consultations with other divisions or departments when necessary
• Ensure pre-operative outpatients are fully evaluated and ready for surgery on a timely basis and in accordance with available operating suites
• Follows and manages outpatients in collaboration with Attending Surgeon while enhancing continuity of care
• Provide first contact for patients and their families
• Provide care coordination for patient testing prior to the initial office visit
• Coordinate care with Heart Center Access and Care Coordinators
• Refill prescriptions as needed