Advanced Practice Provider (PA/NP/APP) - Thoracic CardioVascular Stepdown Unit 24/7

Build advanced surgical expertise while serving as a primary provider for adults recovering from complex thoracic, vascular, and cardiac procedures.

Join UVA Health’s Thoracic CardioVascular Stepdown Unit and practice with meaningful autonomy, broad clinical exposure, and the support of an experienced multidisciplinary team . This opportunity is well suited to an APP who values clinical challenge, continuous learning, and the ability to make a direct impact throughout the surgical recovery journey.

The Role

As an Advanced Practice Provider in the Thoracic CardioVascular Stepdown Unit, you will independently assess and manage adult pre-operative and post-operative patients across three surgical specialties. Working closely with surgeons, residents, fellows, nurses, case management, and other interdisciplinary partners, you will help maintain continuity of care while responding to changing clinical conditions in a dynamic stepdown environment.

This is a 24/7 coverage model with 12-hour rotating shifts , including days, nights, weekends, and holidays. The schedule offers varied clinical experiences and the opportunity to develop confidence in triage, prioritization, rapid decision-making, and management of evolving post-surgical conditions. New graduates and candidates nearing graduation are encouraged to apply.

An average shift combines comprehensive assessment, care planning, interdisciplinary communication, patient education, clinical prioritization, and post-operative management. You will function as a central member of the patient’s care team, applying critical thinking and sound clinical judgment while helping patients and families navigate complex surgical recovery.

Key responsibilities include:

- Assess and manage pre-operative and post-operative thoracic, vascular, and cardiac surgery patients
- Develop, implement, and adjust individualized plans of care
- Monitor complex post-operative patients and respond to changes in clinical status or escalating care needs
- Coordinate care with surgeons, residents, fellows, nursing staff, case management, and interdisciplinary partners
- Support line, tube, and post-operative clinical management
- Communicate patient status, priorities, and treatment plans clearly across care teams
- Provide education and support to patients and families
- Participate in resident education and clinical teaching
- Contribute to quality improvement initiatives and ongoing professional development

Advanced Practice Provider Scope of Practice:

Clinical

- Provides expert evidence-based, top-of-scope care in their clinical practice
- Acts as part of a specialty team, collaborating with other clinicians as appropriate
- Provides health education to patients
- Maintains accurate, timely, and thorough documentation
- Ensures compliance with institutional and regulatory standards

Leadership

- Supports development of best practices and protocols in specialty
- Serves on committees and workgroups to enhance patient care
- Provides education to learners in the clinical space
- Mentors new team members

Administration

- Contributes to clinical quality improvement work
- Participates in professional governance through the APP Council
- Attends team development meetings at local and departmental levels

Professional

- Adheres to ASPIRE values in all professional interactions
- Maintains appropriate licenses, certifications, and specialty training competencies
- Participates in local, state, and national professional organizations

Background checks and pre-employment health screenings will be conducted on all new hires prior to employment. All safety-sensitive positions with direct patient interaction also require a drug screen.

Why UVA Health

UVA Health offers the resources of a nationally recognized academic health system with the professional connection of a highly collaborative surgical team. APPs are integral members of interdisciplinary care teams and are empowered to practice with both guidance and autonomy , contribute ideas, educate others, and advance patient-focused care.

APP Landing Page

In this role, you will benefit from:

- Broad surgical exposure spanning thoracic, vascular, and cardiac surgery
- The opportunity to serve as a primary provider for medically complex surgical patients
- Close collaboration with nationally recognized surgeons, residents, fellows, nurses, and interdisciplinary specialists
- Teaching and mentoring opportunities with residents
- Regular lectures, teaching conferences, educational programs, and health system learning opportunities
- Professional growth in acute assessment, clinical judgment, prioritization, tube and line management, and escalation of care
- Opportunities to participate in quality improvement and advance your professional practice
- An academic environment that brings patient care, education, research, and innovation together
- A culture shaped by collaboration, clinical excellence, compassion, and continuous learning
- The distinction of practicing within an ANCC Magnet-recognized academic medical center

For an APP seeking to deepen surgical knowledge, strengthen independent practice, and build a long-term career in academic medicine, this position offers clinical variety, high-level patient management, and a strong educational foundation .

Relocation assistance may be available for qualified candidates.

Why People Love Living in Charlottesville

Charlottesville combines the energy and cultural offerings of a university community with easy access to the natural beauty of Central Virginia and the Blue Ridge Mountains. Clinicians and their families can enjoy hiking, scenic drives, local vineyards, a vibrant independent restaurant scene, live music, arts, historic destinations, and the pedestrian-friendly Downtown Mall. With a range of city, neighborhood, and surrounding county living options, Charlottesville offers healthcare professionals an appealing setting to build both a meaningful career and a fulfilling life outside of work.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Education: Graduate of an accredited graduate school of nursing or physician assistant program with a master’s degree.

Experience: Department and unit specific.

Licensure: License or license eligible as an Advance Practice Provider (Nurse Practitioner, Physician Associate, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist, and Certified Nurse Midwife) as set forth by the state of Virginia. If Nurse Practitioner, license to Practice as a Registered Nurse in the Commonwealth of Virginia is required. Must demonstrate and maintain all credentialing and licensing requirements of UVA Health System, the Virginia Board of Medicine or the Virginia Board of Nursing, and appropriate certifying bodies. Current Basic Life Support (BLS) required. Current PALS/NRP, as required, specific to position. Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) as required, specific to position.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Job requires standing for prolonged periods, frequently bending/stooping, reaching (overhead, extensive, and repetitive); Repetitive motion: computer keyboard. Proficient communicative, auditory and visual skills; Attention to detail and ability to write legibly; Ability to lift/push/pull 50 - 100lbs. May be exposed to noise, radiation, radioactive materials, blood/body fluids and infectious disease.

The pay range for this role is $124,845.00 - $178,089.60 annually. Individual compensation will be determined by the selected candidate's qualifications, previous work experience, and/or education.

Benefits

- Comprehensive Benefits Package: Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
- Generous Paid Time Off
- Retirement Savings
- Long-term and Short-term Disability
- Health Saving Plans, and Flexible Spending Accounts
- Certification and Education Support

UVA Health is a world-class Magnet Recognized academic medical center and health system with a level 1 trauma center. 2023-2024 U.S. News & World Report “Best Hospitals” guide rates UVA Health University Medical Center as “High Performing” in 5 adult specialties and 14 conditions/procedures. We are one of 70 National Cancer Institute designated cancer centers. UVA Health Children’s is named by 2023-2024 U.S. News & World Report as the best children's hospital in Virginia with 9 specialties ranked among the best in the nation. Our footprint also encompasses 3 community hospitals and an integrated network of primary and specialty care clinics throughout Charlottesville, Culpeper, Northern Virginia, and beyond.

The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. All interested persons are encouraged to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Learn more about UVA’s commitment to non-discrimination and equal opportunity employment .