Physician Assistant / Acute Care Nurse Practitioner - Cardiac Surgery Advanced Practice Provider - Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center | Marietta, Georgia

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About the Opportunity

Wellstar Medical Group is seeking a full-time Advanced Practice Provider (APP) to join the Cardiac Surgery team at Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center in Marietta, Georgia.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced Physician Assistant or Acute Care Nurse Practitioner interested in practicing at a high level within a busy and highly regarded cardiovascular surgery program. The APP will work closely with cardiac surgeons and a multidisciplinary cardiovascular team, providing comprehensive perioperative care to patients undergoing complex cardiac surgical procedures.

The position is focused exclusively on cardiac surgery , including open-heart procedures, with responsibilities spanning the operating room, postoperative ICU care, and inpatient management. The role does not include lung surgery or heart transplant.

Position Highlights

- Full-time position within the Cardiac Surgery program
- Approximately 1,300 CVOR cases annually
- Broad exposure to complex cardiovascular care, including: Coronary artery bypass procedures
- Aortic valve procedures
- LVAD patients
- Impella mechanical circulatory support

- Full perioperative involvement, including: Operating room support
- Endoscopic Vein Harvesting (EVH)
- Postoperative ICU management
- Inpatient postoperative care

- Collaborative APP team currently consisting of approximately seven inpatient PAs and two outpatient APPs supporting cardiac surgery
- Opportunity to work alongside experienced cardiac surgeons and cardiovascular specialists in a multidisciplinary environment

Schedule

The full-time inpatient APP schedule consists of:

- Three 12-hour shifts per week
- Participation in approximately a 1:7 call rotation
- Call shifts are approximately 24 hours
- Weekend call typically includes Friday, Saturday and Sunday coverage

Responsibilities

The Cardiac Surgery APP will play an integral role across the perioperative continuum and will:

- Provide direct clinical care to cardiac surgery patients
- Assist in the operating room during cardiac surgical procedures
- Perform endoscopic vein harvesting , based on training, competency and credentialing
- Participate in the care of coronary artery bypass and other open-heart surgery patients
- Manage postoperative cardiac surgery patients in the ICU and inpatient setting
- Perform comprehensive assessments, daily rounds and development of treatment plans
- Review and interpret laboratory, imaging and diagnostic results
- Recognize and respond appropriately to changes in postoperative patient condition
- Collaborate closely with cardiac surgeons, intensivists, cardiologists, nursing and other members of the cardiovascular care team
- Coordinate patient care throughout hospitalization and assist with transitions of care
- Provide education to patients and families throughout the surgical and recovery process
- Participate in quality, safety and performance improvement initiatives
- Perform additional procedures and responsibilities within APP scope of practice and hospital credentialing

Preferred Candidate

We are looking for an APP who enjoys a high-acuity, procedural and team-oriented environment and is comfortable caring for complex cardiovascular patients.

Preferred qualifications include:

- Graduate of an accredited Physician Assistant or Nurse Practitioner program
- Current or eligible Georgia PA or APRN licensure
- Appropriate national board certification
- Physician Assistant preferred; Acute Care Nurse Practitioner candidates will also be considered
- Previous cardiac surgery, cardiothoracic surgery, cardiovascular or critical care experience strongly preferred
- Endoscopic Vein Harvesting (EVH) experience preferred (2+ Years)
- Experience supporting CABG/cardiac bypass procedures preferred
- Strong clinical judgment and ability to function effectively in high-acuity situations
- Excellent communication and multidisciplinary collaboration skills

Why Wellstar Kennestone?

Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center is home to a nationally recognized cardiovascular program providing comprehensive care for patients with routine through highly complex heart conditions. Its multidisciplinary cardiovascular team includes cardiac surgeons, interventional cardiologists, advanced imaging cardiologists, cardiac anesthesiologists and other specialists.

Kennestone's cardiovascular program has achieved several significant distinctions:

- Comprehensive Cardiac Center Certification: Kennestone is one of fewer than 30 hospitals nationwide with this highest level of certification under standards from The Joint Commission and American Heart Association.
- Exceptional cardiac surgical outcomes: Kennestone has earned the Society of Thoracic Surgeons' highest three-star rating in five categories, including isolated CABG, aortic valve replacement, AVR + CABG, mitral valve repair/replacement, and multiprocedural cardiothoracic surgery.
- Advanced cardiovascular care: Wellstar's cardiovascular surgery program provides treatment ranging from traditional open-heart surgery to minimally invasive procedures for coronary artery disease, valve disease, aortic disease, arrhythmias and advanced heart failure.
- True multidisciplinary practice: APPs are an important part of the team responsible for patients throughout diagnosis, surgery and postoperative recovery.

Why This Role Stands Out

This isn't simply an inpatient APP position. It offers the opportunity to practice across the full cardiac surgical continuum , gaining hands-on experience in the OR while also managing complex postoperative patients in a high-acuity environment. With significant surgical volume, advanced cardiovascular technology and an experienced multidisciplinary team, the role offers a strong combination of procedural experience, critical care and cardiovascular surgery .

Join us and discover the support to do more meaningful work—and enjoy a more rewarding life. Connect with the most integrated health system in Georgia, and start a future that gives you more.