Acute Care Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant - Heart & Vascular ICU at HUP

Description

At Penn Medicine, APP career growth is intentional and individualized. Whether you are an experienced critical care APP seeking procedural and leadership expansion or a new graduate looking for structured mentorship and skill development, our HVICU offers tailored opportunities to support your long-term professional goals.

The Heart and Vascular intensive care unit (HVICU) at the University of Pennsylvania is looking for an Advanced Practitioner to join our health care delivery team. The HVICU is a 32 bed unit. We provide care for patients undergoing cardiac and vascular procedures, including heart transplants, lung transplants, adult congenital surgery, and complex aortic procedures. Our team is composed of intensivists, surgical and anesthesia residents, and advanced practice providers

The position of the advanced practice (AP) provider in the H&V SICU is that of leader, teacher, and care provider. In close partnership and collaboration with the intensivist and surgical physician groups we provide world class care to some of the most acutely ill patients in the country who are undergoing coronary revascularization, complex aortic surgery, cardiac and thoracic transplants. You will also be managing patients requiring mechanical support such as VAD's and ECMO. The AP is skilled at invasive procedures including central lines, dialysis catheters, arterial lines and the use of bedside flouroscopy. Working closely with physician providers at many levels we are an integral piece of a multidisciplinary team.

APPs are empowered to expand and refine advanced procedural skills within a supportive, high-acuity environment, while contributing to quality improvement initiatives at one of the nation’s premier academic complex cardiac surgery programs.

Our Advanced Practice Providers (APPs) function with a high degree of clinical autonomy as integral members of our multidisciplinary critical care team, caring for some of the region’s most complex cardiovascular patients. From severe respiratory failure to cardiogenic shock, our APPs play a pivotal role on Penn Medicine’s Shock Team — spanning the initial referring phone call, through active patient management, and bridging patients to recovery or providing post-transplant care following heart or lung transplantation

Supportive Onboarding & Mentorship

We are committed to helping APPs feel confident, supported, and clinically prepared. Our onboarding process includes:

• Structured orientation
• Dedicated mentorship
• Progressive clinical responsibility
• Skills development support
• Ongoing feedback and professional coaching

Why Join Our HVICU?

• High-acuity cardiovascular critical care
• Advanced procedural experience
• APP autonomy and collaboration
• Academic teaching hospital environment
• Structured onboarding and mentorship
• Cross-training and specialization opportunities
• Research, publication, and conference support
• APP clinical advancement pathways
• Culture focused on long-term growth and retention

schedule: Up to 50/50 day/night rotation, weekend requirements as needed by department, and holiday rotation required 

Credentials:

• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (Required)
• Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant required
• Acute Care Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant Pennsylvania State license, active and in good standing at time of hire
• Prescriptive Authority (Required)
• Registered Nurse - PA (Required if Acute Care Nurse Practitioner)
• At least 2 years of inpatient advanced practice experience is preferred
• Critical Care Experience is preferred
• Cardiac Background is preferred

Education or Equivalent Experience:

• Education Specialization: Master's Degree or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) in Nursing or Bachelors, Masters or Doctorate Degree – Physician Assistant - Required
• Graduate of Accredited Physician Assistant Training Program (PA-C) – Required
• The CRNP and/or PA-C must be reviewed by the Credentials Committee and approved by the Medical Board. 

For any interested candidates or additional questions, please contact Kayla Behney, Sr. Recruiter, at Kayla.Behney@pennmedicine.upenn.edu. 

We are an Equal Opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, familial status, genetic information, domestic or sexual violence victim status, citizenship status, military status, status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by applicable law.