The Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Nurse Practitioner provides advanced nursing care for adult patients undergoing cardiovascular and thoracic procedures. Responsibilities include conducting preoperative assessments, managing postoperative care, and coordinating care transitions.
Requirements summary
Candidates must have a Master's or Doctorate degree from an accredited Nurse Practitioner program and current licensure as a Registered Nurse and Nurse Practitioner. Experience in cardiovascular/thoracic surgery or critical care is strongly preferred.
Sanford Health, the largest rural health system in the United States, is dedicated to transforming the health care experience and providing access to world-class health care in America’s heartland. Work Shift: 8 Hours - Day Shifts (United States of America) Scheduled Weekly Hours: 40 Compensation: Union Position: No Department Details Summary The Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Nurse Practitioner provides advanced nursing care for adult patients undergoing cardiovascular and thoracic procedures. Working in collaboration with surgeons, anesthesiologists, and the multidisciplinary care team, the NP plays a critical role in the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative management of patients in both inpatient and outpatient settings.
Job Description
Conduct comprehensive preoperative assessments, risk stratification, and patient education. Participate in daily inpatient rounds, monitor clinical progress, and adjust care plans accordingly. Perform procedures such as chest tube removal, wound care, central line removal, and suture/staple removal (as credentialed). Manage post-op complications in collaboration with the attending surgeon. Order and interpret diagnostic studies (labs, imaging, EKGs) and initiate appropriate interventions. Facilitate discharge planning including medication reconciliation and patient teaching. Serve as first or second assist in the operating room when required (if credentialed). Coordinate care transitions between ICU, step-down, and medical-surgical units. Provide handoffs to referring physicians and ensure follow-up continuity. Conduct post-op follow-up visits in clinic, manage wound healing, monitor recovery, and address patient concerns. Educate patients and families on procedures, recovery expectations, lifestyle modifications, and cardiac health. Participate in quality improvement initiatives related to surgical outcomes and patient safety. Maintain accurate and timely documentation in the electronic medical record (EMR). Stay current with evidence-based guidelines and clinical protocols in CVTS care. Qualifications Master’s or Doctorate degree from an accredited Nurse Practitioner program. If APRN was licensed prior to August 1, 1995, master's degree in nursing is preferred. 1–3 years of experience in cardiovascular/thoracic surgery, critical care, or surgical specialties strongly preferred Current licensure as a Registered Nurse and Nurse Practitioner in each state of practice. Current Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) permit to prescribe controlled substances in each state of practice. State Controlled Substance License (if required by State) ***
Prefer Physician Assistant but open to Nurse Practitioner Schedule: M - Fri Weekends and Holiday coverage split evenly across department Includes clinic, hospital, and OR New graduates will be considered Preferred procedural (first assist) Position duties/responsibilities Assist in clinic, hospital, and OR Orders, seeing post-op pts, first assisting/taking vein Prefer 1.0 FTE ***
National board certification as an Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP-BC) or ACNPC-AG), Acute Care Adult (ACNP-BC). Additional certifications require approval from a market executive leader: Family (FNP-BC) or (FNP–C), Adult-Gerontology Primary Care (AGPCNP-BC) or (A-GNP), Adult (ANP-C) Obtains and subsequently maintains required specific competencies and certifications as outlined on privilege form. Privileging documents and related credentialing requirements will supersede this job description in defining minimum qualifications, criteria, and scope of practice, if variation between documents exists. Sanford is an EEO/AA Employer M/F/Disability/Vet. If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request an accommodation for help with your online application, please call 1-877-949-5678 or send an email to talent@sanfordhealth.org. The Sanford organization owns and manages multiple distinct brands, including Sanford Health, Marshfield Clinic, and Good Samaritan, as well as Lewis Drug, Sanford Health Equip, Solutions by Sanford, Great Shots, and Blue Rock Bar & Grill. Sanford Health, the largest rural health system in the United States, is dedicated to transforming the health care experience and providing access to world-class health care in America’s heartland. Headquartered in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, the organization has 53,000 employees and serves over 2 million patients and nearly 425,000 health plan members across the upper Midwest including South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wyoming, Iowa, Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The integrated nonprofit health system includes a network of 56 hospitals, 288 clinic locations, 147 senior care communities, 4,000 physicians and advanced practice providers and nearly 1,500 active clinical trials and studies. The organization’s transformational virtual care initiative brings patients closer to care with access to 78 specialties. Learn more about Sanford Health’s commitment to shaping the future of rural health care across the lifespan at sanfordhealth.org or Sanford Health News. Good Samaritan, one of the nation’s largest nonprofit providers of senior care and services, is committed to transforming the aging experience through innovation, compassion and personalized care. As part of Sanford Health, an integrated nonprofit health system headquartered in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Good Samaritan serves 10,000 seniors and offers access to a full continuum of care, including 94 rehabilitation and skilled nursing centers, 56 assisted living and memory care facilities, 44 independent living locations and 37 home health and hospice agencies. The senior care provider delivers services across the upper Midwest, with 70% of residents living in rural communities. Learn more about Good Samaritan’s mission and commitment to delivering high quality senior care in rural America at good-sam.com.
