Career Central

The Section of Critical Care within the Department of Pediatrics seeks an advanced practice provider (APP) for the management and coordination of care for patients admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at Children's Hospital Colorado. APPs are present in the PICU 24 hours a day and this position will require a mix of days, evenings and night shifts.

Candidate will provide and coordinate clinical practice for patients admitted to the Pediatric Critical Care service or for whom the Pediatric Critical Care service is consulting, 24 hours a day, through the collaborative practice agreement and under the supervision of the attending physician. Specific responsibilities will include:

• Provides evidence-based clinical care to pediatric patients in the PICU.
• Gathers pertinent information systematically and skillfully from all sources: history, diagnostic tests, and comprehensive physical examinations, behavioral and developmental assessments.
• Incorporates all assessment findings into a plan to direct patient management.
• Round daily on all patients in the PICU based upon a rotating schedule and collaborate with the attending physician, other attending physicians from referral services, and with the healthcare team to assess, diagnose, plan, set priorities and realistic outcomes, and evaluate the effectiveness and cost efficiency of patient care.
• Evaluates patient physiological and behavioral responses to interventions for revision of management plans.
• Documents daily all relevant data including but not limited to results of diagnostic tests, laboratory results, patients' condition, response to therapies/interventions, and follow-up interventions.
• Differentiates normal and abnormal variations for all body systems
• Accurately interprets diagnostic tests
• Develops problem lists with associated differential diagnosis
• Communicates with the family regarding the changing health care needs of their child.
• Assesses family adaptation, coping skills and the need for crisis or other Interventions.
• Establishes appropriate priorities of care.
• Utilizing available resources (PharmD, formulary, consulting services) plans and implements appropriate pharmacologic therapies.
• Accurately and appropriately performs routine diagnostic and therapeutic techniques according to established protocol and current pediatric critical care standards.
• Initiates and performs measures necessary to resuscitate and stabilize a compromised pediatric patient according to current critical care and AHA standards.
• Initiates referrals based on patient/family needs.
• Communicates verbally all pertinent patient information to the on call attending physician, nursing staff, and other relevant healthcare providers.
• Role models competence in advanced critical care skills.
• Utilizes prescriptive privileges for identified patient population.
• Keeps knowledge base current by reading professional literature, attending educational programs, and reviewing changes in health legislation and relevant professional research.
• Develops, implements, and promotes educational and support resources, following institutional processes.
• Utilizes evidence-based data and provide leadership to improve outcomes.
• Utilizes evidence-based decision-making in all clinical practice.
• Incorporates clinical research finding in the development and implementation of standards of care.
• Supports IRB approved clinical research/trials through a variety of activities including but not limited to: obtaining consent, ordering diagnostic tests, recording laboratory and diagnostic results, administering therapeutic interventions, and reporting patient outcomes including toxicities or adverse events.
• Participates in interdisciplinary quality improvement and/or research activities.
• Participates in documenting outcome measures.
• Identifies potential areas for research.

Mandatory Requirements for Physician Assistant include:

• Graduation from an APAP approved Physician Assistant Training Program.
• Certification from the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants.
• Colorado license will be required prior to start date.
• BLS and PALS certification will be required prior to start date.

Mandatory Requirements Pediatric Nurse Practitioner include:

• Graduate of an accredited BSN program.
• APN licensure and a masters degree from an accredited Nurse Practitioner program.
• BLS and PALS certification will be required prior to start date.
• Pediatric Nursing Certification Board certificate or other comparable certification required.
• Acute Care Nurse Practitioner certification required.
• Ability to obtain Prescriptive Authority in the State of Colorado. Will need to qualify for and obtain prescriptive authority within one year of beginning position.

Preferred Requirements Include:

• Completion of an Acute Care APP Fellowship or Longitudinal PA Curriculum
• Three or more years of experience managing or caring for critical care and intermediate patients in a tertiary care center
• Quality improvement or committee work demonstrating a commitment to patient safety and evidence-based practices.
• Experience or strong desire to educate clinical staff, residents or APPs. 
• Demonstrated experience and commitment to interacting with people from diverse backgrounds.