Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant - Pediatric Cardiothoracic
Surgery
Work Arrangement:
Requisition Number: 271425
Regular or Temporary: Regular
Location:
Durham, NC, US, 27710
Personnel Area: DUKE HOSPITAL
Date: Aug 27, 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.
Duke University Hospital
Center for Advanced Practice
Job Description
Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant – Pediatric Cardiothoracic
Surgery
Job Location – Duke University Hospital, Children's Hospital
Job Summary
The Duke Hospital Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgery (CT surgery) Advanced
Practice Provider (APP) provides /coordinates clinical practice for
congenital cardiovascular patients. In conjunction with the Pediatric
Cardiovascular and CT Surgery teams, the APP provides medical services to
patients both inpatient and outpatient by collecting and documenting patient
data, conducting or ordering diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, providing
direct patient care services, ordering and scheduling laboratory and imaging
studies, participating in surgical consultations, assisting in the operating
room or on Ex-OR cases, and entering STS data. The APP contributes to
excellence in patient care, research, teaching, and provides leadership to the
organization.
The APP will be utilized in the management of congenital heart disease
patients at Duke University Health System in the operating room and the
inpatient and outpatient setting. Practice locations include inpatient units
at Duke Hospital and outpatient clinics at the Children's Health Center.
Job Duties and Responsibilities
Clinical Expert
In collaboration with attending(s) and/or fellow/residents, round daily
on patients to assess, diagnose, plan treatment, set priorities and
realistic outcomes, and evaluate the effectiveness and cost efficiency of
patient care.
Provide and coordinate clinical care for service specific patients through
established protocols and under the supervising physician or back up
physician who is either on site or available by pager.
Collaborate with the residents, fellows, attending, other APP colleagues,
nurses, and other staff to formulate treatment plans and monitor patient
progress.
Perform procedures specific to the work environment after demonstrated
competency and within the guidelines of scope of practice and
credentialing protocols.
Assess patients for change in status and institute appropriate
interventions. Initiate emergency interventions in an effort to stabilize
the patient
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 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' medical record 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.
Prescriptive authority for prescribing, ordering, and or administering
drugs; including (but not limited to) schedule II, III, IV, and V drugs
and necessary medical devices.
Role model competence in all nurse practitioner / physician assistant
advanced skills.
Give daily handoff to appropriate attending, APP, fellow, resident and/or
intern at the end of the shift.
Provide evidence base clinical care to pediatric patients cared for by the
division of PCCM
Gather pertinent information systematically and skillfully from all
sources: History, diagnostic tests, comprehensive physical exams,
behavioral and developmental assessments.
Bill appropriately for all APP services.
Educator:
Assess educational needs of the patient-care staff and provide one-on-one
as well as formal education as needed.
Assess educational needs of the patients / families and provide
culturally-sensitive patient/family education interventions as indicated.
Use non-technical language when educating patients and families. Document
all education in patients' medical record.
Implement and evaluate appropriate educational programs for DUHS patient
care staff and other healthcare providers as appropriate.
Role model and precept healthcare learners through contractual agreements.
Research Utilization and Investigation:
Utilize current research and evidence-based decision-making in all
clinical practice.
Incorporate clinical research findings in the development and
implementation of standards of care.
Support IRB approved clinical research/trials though a variety of
activities including but not limited to: obtaining consent; ordering
diagnostic tests; recording laboratory & diagnostic results; administering
therapeutic interventions; and reporting patient outcomes including
toxicities or adverse events.
Participate in interdisciplinary quality improvement and/or research
activities.
Participate in measuring and documenting outcomes.
Identify potential areas for research
Consultant:
Provide expertise and resource information to other healthcare providers,
patients and families, and the community at large related to pediatric
diseases, procedures, interventions, and conditions.
Implement and evaluate appropriate educational programs for referring MDs
Develop, implement and evaluate standards of care/practice
guidelines/policies and procedures/care maps/protocols within area of
specialization.
Develop programs and projects in areas of expertise to facilitate the
attainment of the goals and objectives of the Duke University Hospital and
Duke University Health System.
Professional Leadership and Development :
Role model advanced practice professionalism through conduct,
communication, dress, leadership, ethical decision-making, critical
thinking and problem solving skills.
Participate in at least one professional organization.
Demonstrate responsibility for professional practice through active
participation in the CAP, and professional organizations. Meet Continuing
Education requirements as designated by the NC Medical Board and/or NC
Nursing Board. Maintain professional certification.
Enhance the body of knowledge in area of specialization through written
publications, oral presentations, posters, continuing education, etc.
Maintain all professional requirements for licensure and certification
Attend educational conferences such as Heart Center Surgical conference,
cardiology lectures, and neurodevelopmental rounds
When caring for adults with congenital heart disease, plan for situations
beyond expertise, consult with and refer to other health care providers as
appropriate.
Job Eligibility Requirements
Education
NP: Graduate of accredited MSN or DNP Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
program
PA: Graduate of ARC accredited Master's degree or Doctoral Degree Physician
Assistant Program
Certification
NP: PNP-AC and RN First Assist (RNFA) Certification is required
PA: PA-C
Licensure
NP: Current uninhibited RN license issued by or recognized by the NCBON with
authorization to practice as an NP.
PA: Current uninhibited license issued by the NCMB with authorization to
practice as a PA.
Experience
Prior experience as a Nurse Practitioner/Physician Assistant in a pediatric
acute care clinical setting strongly preferred with preference for a cardiac-
specific background but new graduates are welcome to apply. Prior OR
experience required.
Life support:
BLS required
PALS required
Recommended: ACLS
Physical and mental requirements:
Able to clearly articulate scope of practice, and practices within those
guidelines as a Nurse Practitioner / Physician Assistant in the state of
North Carolina and within the Duke University Health System.
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 & 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 five 8-hour days throughout Monday-Friday. No call and no
nights or weekends. Hours will vary in support of the clinical service needs.
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
