Cardiology Advanced Practice Professional

Under supervision of the Medical Director, Specialty Care, the Cardiology Advanced Practice Professional (CAPP) is responsible the coordination of cardiology services for SEARHC. In addition to the direct provision of cardiology services, this position coordinates patient care provided by SEARHC cardiologists and visiting cardiologists from ANMC, Swedish, and other referral centers. The position serves as an interface with the patients’ cardiologists and primary care physicians. The CAPP provides effective clinical and cardiac device care and follow-up within accepted quality standards of care. This position also provides leadership and training on the cardiac device management, EKG interpretation, and other cardiac topics as needed. This position is highly complex with a high degree of responsibility and no regular on-site supervision by a cardiologist.

SEARHC is a non-profit health consortium which serves the health interests of the residents of Southeast Alaska. We see our employees as our strongest assets. It is our priority to further their development and our organization by aiding in their professional advancement.

Working at SEARHC is more than a job, it’s a fulfilling career. We offer generous benefits, including retirement, paid time off, paid parental leave, health insurance, dental, and vision benefits, life insurance and long and short-term disability, and more.

The following duties are summary of the major duties and responsibilities of the CAPP position. This is not intended to serve as a comprehensive list of all duties performed by the provider. The incumbent may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.

Key Essential Functions and Accountabilities of the Job

• Performs cardiology consultations and chronic cardiovascular disease management services in the outpatient setting. This includes the management of patients with coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, dysrhythmias, valvular disease, hypertension and other related conditions including post-procedure follow-up.

• Confers and consults with cardiologists, other health professionals, and support staff to provide coordination of cardiac care including referrals for services and higher-level care as appropriate. Performs outreach serviced to educate patients, nursing staff, interdisciplinary healthcare team, and the community. Facilitates continuity of care with primary care physicians.

• Performs exercise treadmill tests (ETTs) and stress echocardiograms. Provides interpretations of EKGs, Holter monitor, and ambulatory blood pressure studies.

• Conducts routine out-patient device interrogations, interpretation of findings, reprogramming of devices or referral as needed; remote transmission and trans-telephonic monitoring; coordinating scheduling of patients for device follow-up as well as routine office visits with cardiologist and physicians; initiating scheduling of follow-up procedures as needed such as generator changes, upgrades, and coordinates follow up patients with device recalls and/or alerts are required.  

• Performs evaluation and management of cardiac device patients in the outpatient setting. These responsibilities include diagnosis and medical, therapeutic, and corrective measures for cardiac device patients.

• Updates and maintains a variety of files, records, charts and other documents. Maintains an accurate cardiac device database for medical purposes and reimbursement of services. Records orders and progress notes in accordance with SEARHC standards.

• Performs quality assurance assessments and provides feedback to the Medical Director on quality of patients care delivered. Utilizes current research and evidence-based decision making in all clinical practice. Serves as an expert consultant to physicians, nursing staff, members of the healthcare team, and to the larger community.

• Participates in and supports accreditation, compliance, and regulatory activities of the organization. Enhances the body of knowledge of cardiac device advanced nursing with active participation in professional organizations through exchange of ideas and knowledge, oral presentations, posters, and research activities.

• Serves leadership positions on standing or ad hoc committees as requested by the Medical Director.  Participates in all medical staff functions as requested, to include quality assurance reviews and medical staff meetings. Abides by medical staff bylaws, rules and regulations, and clinical services policies/procedures.

Financial Responsibilities

• Responsible for the development of the budget around cardiac care services.  Makes recommendations on capital and other equipment purchases, contracts, and training.

Supervision/Lead Exercised

• This position does not provide supervision but demands leadership and skills in the development and management of Consortium-wide cardiology services including patient care, interventions, and referrals.

Education, Certifications, and Licenses Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Nursing AND Master of Science Degree as a Nurse Practitioner

• Pending or active licensure in the State of Alaska (may practice under any active state license as a direct hire employee pending AK licensure).

• Specialty certification through the ABCM, ANCC or other nationally recognized body involved in certification of providers specializing in cardiac care.

• Current Advance Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)

• Current Basic Life Support (BLS)

Experience Required

• 5 years’ supervisory experience involving Cardiology care

• Cardiac device follow up experience with competence in arrhythmia interpretation.

Other Qualification

• Proficient in use of device programmers: St. Jude, Boston-Scientific, Medtronic, and others as required.

Knowledge of

• Knowledge of cardiac device terminology and procedures common to the cardiology department.

• Knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy, physiology and concepts of cardiac disease process.

• Knowledge of single and dual chamber pacemakers and ICDs including timing cycles, upper rate behavior, sensor, and special functions.

• Knowledge of professional protocols and practices in healthcare and patient treatment, case management, and physical and mental hygiene.

• Knowledge of policies and procedures for the care of patients.

• Knowledge of customer service concepts and practices.

• Knowledge of hospital and clinic environments and how the services function and interact.

• Knowledge of the general culture and needs of Alaska Natives and American Indians.

Skills in

• Skill in effectively managing and leading staff, and delegating tasks and authority.

• Skill in assessing and prioritizing multiple tasks, projects and demands.

• Skills in critically analyzing data obtained which would include critically evaluating ECG’s, analyzing atrial and ventricular EGM’s, analyzing stored cardiac device data for appropriateness of therapy and troubleshooting problems.

• Skill in evaluating health problems and making recommendations based on observations.

• Skill in analyzing safety issues and preparing recommendations based on findings.

• Skill in operating a personal computer utilizing a variety of software applications.

Ability to

• Ability to provide effective oral and written communication in interactions with staff, patients, and families.

• Ability to work independently in caring for critically ill patients

• Ability to coordinate care providing smooth transitions between the primary care providers, Hospitalist team, and cardiologists/tertiary care centers

Travel Required

• Travel is required.

• Travel is by jet, small aircraft, and ferry.

Working Conditions

The following demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential function of this job:

• Must be able to lift approximately 20 pounds

• May be required to work outside the traditional work schedule.

• May be called to work off shift in emergency situations.

Required Certifications:

If you like wild growth and working with happy, enthusiastic over-achievers, you'll enjoy your career with us!