Job Description
Job Description
Our organization is in search of a skilled Critical Care Physician Assistant to become part of our well-established inpatient team at a hospital located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. This role presents a fantastic chance to engage in high-acuity medical practice within a nurturing, physician-led setting that prioritizes teamwork, clinical excellence, and a balanced work-life dynamic.
Position Highlights
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Closed ICU model featuring 24/7 Intensivist support
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Full-time position
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Collaborative and experienced multidisciplinary team
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Opportunity to oversee a mixed Cardiac and Medical ICU with a focus on Cardiothoracic Surgery
Role Responsibilities:
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Conduct thorough assessments, diagnoses, and management of critically ill adult patients, including bedside procedures, physical examinations, and diagnostic evaluations
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Work closely with intensivists, specialists, nursing staff, and respiratory therapists
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Engage in daily multidisciplinary rounds and contribute to care planning
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Ensure the delivery of high-quality, evidence-based patient care and maintain accurate documentation
Direct Patient Care:
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Perform comprehensive assessments, differential diagnoses, and evidence-based management of critically ill adult patients in the NSCCU and Cardiovascular Surgery ICU (CVICU).
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Independently manage patients experiencing multi-organ system failure, acute respiratory failure, shock states, complex arrhythmias, sepsis, post-operative complications, and advanced hemodynamic instability.
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Conduct and interpret bedside diagnostics, including Point of Care Ultrasound, EKGs, hemodynamic monitoring, ventilator waveforms, and radiographic studies.
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Initiate and adjust medications, including vasoactive agents, sedatives, analgesics, antiarrhythmics, insulin infusions, and critical drips based on protocols and patient conditions.
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Provide end-of-life support and facilitate goals-of-care discussions in collaboration with attending intensivists.
Procedures (as credentialed)
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Carry out ICU procedures, which may include:
- Central Venous Catheter Placement
- Arterial Line Placement
- Management of Temporary Pacing Wires (for CV surgery patients)
- Chest Tube/Mediastinal Drain Management and/or Removal
- Intubation and Airway Management
- Bedside Ultrasound-Guided Procedures (paracentesis, thoracentesis, vascular access)
- Swan-Ganz Catheter Interpretation and Management (if applicable for CV surgery ICU)
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Oversee advanced devices such as IABP, Impella, CRRT, and ECMO in collaboration with specialists (depending on the hospital's scope).
Night Coverage & Collaborative Decision-Making
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Work with the intensivist to provide overnight care for both NSCCU and CVICU, responding swiftly to changes in patient conditions.
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Communicate significant overnight changes to the daytime multidisciplinary team to ensure continuity and safe transitions.
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Assist with triaging urgent consults from the ED, floors, and post-operative areas for potential ICU admissions.
Interdisciplinary Collaboration
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Collaborate with intensivists, cardiovascular surgeons, anesthesiologists, cardiologists, nursing staff, respiratory therapists, pharmacists, and dietitians to provide coordinated, high-quality care.
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Work with CV surgery teams on post-operative protocols, including management of chest tubes, pacing wires, anticoagulation, hemodynamics, and early recognition of complications.
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Support bedside nurses with real-time clinical decision-making, hemodynamic adjustments, and emergency interventions.
Rounding, Handoff, and Documentation
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Engage in structured evening rounds to ensure accurate and thorough transitions of care.
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Complete timely, clear, and compliant documentation, including procedure notes, critical care time, and billing within the EHR.
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Update families when clinically appropriate and ensure communication of changes to daytime providers.
Quality, Safety, and Protocol Adherence
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Follow and help enhance ICU evidence-based protocols, including:
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Ventilator Liberation
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Sepsis Management
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Glycemic Control
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DVT and Stress Ulcer Prophylaxis
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Early Mobility and Sedation Minimization
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Identify and escalate safety concerns, near misses, or systemic issues to leadership.
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Participate in ICU quality initiatives, morbidity and mortality reviews, and performance improvement projects.
Education, Leadership & Professional Development
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Act as a clinical resource for night shift staff, providing education on complex hemodynamics, ventilator troubleshooting, and device management.
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Maintain proficiency in all required critical care procedures, certifications (ACLS, BLS), and continuing medical education.
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Contribute to protocol updates, workflow optimization, and improvements in critical care operations.
Qualifications
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Physician Assistant or Nurse Practitioner with Critical Care experience is required
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Current or eligibility for licensure in Florida
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Ability to excel in a collaborative, closed ICU model
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Strong communication, clinical reasoning, and teamwork abilities
Compensation & Benefits
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Competitive salary based on experience
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Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
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403(b) plan with employer matching
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Paid time off
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CME allowance
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Malpractice insurance coverage
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A supportive team environment with opportunities for professional growth and development.