Critical Care Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant - Cardiothoracic
Surgery ICU, CTICU
Work Arrangement:
Requisition Number: 272828
Regular or Temporary: Regular
Location:
Durham, NC, US, 27710
Personnel Area: DUKE HOSPITAL
Date: Sep 10, 2026
At Duke Health, we're driven by a commitment to compassionate care that
changes the lives of patients, their loved ones, and the greater community. No
matter where your talents lie, join us and discover how we can advance health
together.
About Duke University Hospital
Pursue your passion for caring with Duke University Hospital in Durham, North
Carolina, which is consistently ranked among the best in the United States.
The largest of the four Duke Healthhospitals with 1062 patient beds, it
features comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic facilities, including a
regional emergency/trauma center, an endo-surgery center, and more.
Job Location
Duke University Hospital
Job Summary
The Duke Hospital Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit (CTICU) Advanced
Practice Provider (APP) provides direct patient care services for complex
critically ill cardiothoracic surgery and Advanced Heart Failure patients,
predominately in an intensive care setting in collaboration with cardiac
anesthesiology and under the supervision of the cardiothoracic surgeon(s)
and the Medical Director of the CTICU. The APP performs physical exams,
collects and documents data, conducts diagnostic and therapeutic procedures,
orders and schedules laboratory studies and professional consultations,
prescribes appropriate interventions and medications, coordinates the care and
discharge of patients, and provides direct patient care services.
Job Duties and Responsibilities
Provide /coordinate clinical care for cardiothoracic surgery patients at
Duke Hospital being followed primarily in the Cardiothoracic Intensive
Care setting through established protocols and under the supervision of
the cardiothoracic surgeon or back-up supervising physician who is either
on site or available by pager
Patient rounding in collaboration with attending cardiothoracic
surgeon(s),cardiac anesthesiologist(s), CTICU intensivists, and
Medical Director of the CTICU, round daily on patients to assess,
diagnose, plan treatment, set priorities and realistic outcomes, and
evaluate the effectiveness and cost efficiency of cardiothoracic patient
care;
Perform procedures when indicated: (Partial listing…full list will be
shared upon request or at time of interview)
Intubation / Extubation and/or airway management
Flexible bronchoscopy for non-biopsy purposes in patients with an artificial airway
Ventilator Management
Tracheostomy tube changes
Removal of diaphragm sutures
Chest tube insertion / management / removal
Paracentesis
Thoracentisis
Blood sampling via central venous lines (CVLs) including temporary central catheters, tunneled catheters, implantable vascular access devices
Arterial and Venous sticks
Arterial line placement and removal
Intraortic balloon pump (IABP) removal
Venous line placement/central line including PA catheter placement, temporary dialysis catheter, temporary transvenous pacemaker
Venous line removal including temporary dialysis catheters
Place gastric or post-pyloric feeding tubes
Management of peripherally placed central and peripheral venous catheters (PICC/C)
Peripheral intravenous catheter placement (PIV)
Wound management including wound vac, application of dressings and bandages, simple debridements, suture removal/placement, local cauterization, staple removal/placement
ECG Interpretation including atrial ECG
Defibrillation/Cardioversion
Temporary pacemaker wire removal and clipping as well as programing
Transcutaneous pacing
Assisting with ECMO cannulation/decannulation
Manage acute cardio and/or respiratory decompensation, including rapid response and/or code
Management of Mechanical Circulatory Support Device devices
Collaborate with the chief resident, residents and fellows to formulate
treatment plans and monitor patient progress
Assess patients for change in status and institute appropriate
interventions. Initiates emergency interventions in an effort to stabilize
the patient until physician support arrives.
Preoperative evaluation; including (but not limited to) establishing
diagnosis, and baseline status
Postoperative stabilization and management.
Develop patient care pathways, protocols and guidelines for the management
of specific problems in conjunction with physicians and other members of
the health care team.
Analyze clinical practice patterns so as to provide the best medical care
and to increase effectiveness and efficiency.
Communicate verbally and in writing all pertinent patient information to
supervising MD, nursing staff, patient resource manager, home health
agency, and other relevant healthcare providers.
Document in the patients' chart all relevant data including but not
limited to results of diagnostic tests; laboratory results; patients'
condition and response to therapies/interventions; communications with
supervising MD.
Utilize prescriptive privileges only for identified patient population.
Role models competence in all nurse practitioner / physician assistant
advanced skills.
Job Eligibility Requirements
Education
NP: Graduate of accredited MSN or DNP Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Program
for adult care.
PA: Graduate of accredited Masters or Doctorate Degree Physician Assistant
Program
License
NP: Current and unrestricted RN license issued by or recognized by the NCBON
with authorization to practice as a NP
PA: Current and unrestricted medical license issued by the NCMB with
authorization to practice as a PA
Both: Federal and State DEA with prescriptive authority
Certification
NP: ACNP, AGACNP (no other APRN certifications will be considered)
PA: PA-C
Experience
NP: 1 year experience in high acuity adult CTICU/ICU strongly preferred
will consider new grads with CTICU RN experience and/or CTICU rotation as
NP student
PA 1-year experience as PA in an adult high acuity critical care/CTICU setting
OR a one-year Critical Care Fellowship
Will consider new grad PA with CTICU rotation while in PA school
Physical and mental requirements:
Able to clearly articulate scope of practice and practices within those
guidelines as an NP/PA in the state of North Carolina and within the Duke
University Health System (DUHS)
Able to independently seek out resources and work collaboratively to solve
complex problems
Able to communicate clearly with patients, families, visitors, healthcare
team, physicians, administrators, leadership, and others
Able to use sensory and cognitive functions to process and prioritize
information, perform health assessments, treatment, and follow-up
Able to use fine motor skills
Able to record activities, document assessments, and interventions;
prepare reports and presentations.
Able to use computer and learn new software programs
Able to provide leadership in clinical area of expertise and in meeting
organizational goals
Able to navigate the Hospital and DUHS to provide clinical expertise to
specific patient populations
Able to withstand prolonged standing and walking with the ability to move
or lift at least fifty pounds
Able to remain focused and organized
Able to work collaboratively with all levels of personnel
Job Hours
Primary hours will be 12-hour rotational shifts / 7 days per week including
holidays.
Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment
opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender,
gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin,
race, religion, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy related conditions),
sexual orientation or military status.
Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation,
creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust
exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our
perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this
exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and
welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all
voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold
these values.
Essential Physical Job Functions:
Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include
essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental
abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable
accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.
Nearest Major Market: Durham
Nearest Secondary Market: Raleigh
