Pay Range

 Location: Advocate Health, Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, NC
 Department: Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (CICU)
 Schedule: Full-time Nightshift with Rotating Weekends and Holidays

Position Summary

The Cardiac ICU Advanced Practice Provider (APP)—Nurse Practitioner (NP) or Physician Assistant (PA)—will be an integral member of a high-acuity multidisciplinary team managing critically ill patients with advanced cardiac conditions. The APP will provide comprehensive care for patients with cardiogenic shock, advanced heart failure, post–myocardial infarction complications, and those requiring temporary mechanical circulatory support (MCS), including ECMO, Impella, and IABP.

This role involves direct patient management, procedural skills, and close collaboration with cardiology, cardiac surgery, critical care, and ancillary services. The APP will also play a key role in education, coordination, and working with residents rotating through the cardiac ICU.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform comprehensive assessment, diagnosis, and management of critically ill cardiac patients.
• Manage patients with acute decompensated heart failure, cardiogenic shock, and post-MI complications.
• Manage temporary mechanical circulatory support devices including ECMO, Impella, IABP, and ventricular assist devices under established protocols.
• Collaborate closely with attending cardiologists, intensivists, cardiac surgeons, and the broader care team to optimize patient outcomes.
• Provide ongoing monitoring, titration, and weaning of vasoactive medications, inotropes, and mechanical support devices.
• Coordinate patient transitions between levels of care, including step-down and transfer to tertiary facilities when necessary.
• Work collaboratively with nursing staff, pharmacists, physical therapists, nutritionists, and other team members.
• Participate in quality improvement initiatives, protocol development, and research activities related to cardiac critical care.

Qualifications

• Education:
  • Master's degree in nursing (MSN) or Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) required.
• Licensure & Certification:
  • Active, unrestricted NP or PA license in NC.
  • National certification (ACNP, AGACNP, or NCCPA certification required).
  • Current BLS and ACLS certification.
  • Critical care or cardiac certification (CCRN, CSC, or equivalent) preferred.
• Experience:
  • Minimum 2–3 years of experience in cardiac critical care, CVICU, or related specialty preferred.
  • Proficiency with ECMO, Impella, IABP, and advanced hemodynamic monitoring strongly desired.
  • Prior experience in academic or teaching hospital settings is a plus.

Skills & Competencies

• Advanced clinical assessment and critical thinking skills.
• Strong proficiency in hemodynamic interpretation and mechanical support management.
• Effective interdisciplinary communication and teamwork.
• Commitment to evidence-based practice and continuous learning.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, high-acuity environment with a focus on precision and collaboration.

Why Join Advocate Health CICU

• Work at a leading cardiac critical care center with one of the region’s highest volumes of mechanical circulatory support.
• Collaborate with renowned cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, and intensivists in a cutting-edge environment.
• Access ongoing professional development, advanced procedure training, and research opportunities.

Our Commitment to You:

Advocate Health offers a comprehensive suite of Total Rewards: benefits and well-being programs, competitive compensation, generous retirement offerings, programs that invest in your career development and so much more – so you can live fully at and away from work, including:

Compensation

• Base compensation listed within the listed pay range based on factors such as qualifications, skills, relevant experience, and/or training

• Premium pay such as shift, on call, and more based on a teammate's job

• Incentive pay for select positions

• Opportunity for annual increases based on performance

Benefits and more

• Paid Time Off programs

• Health and welfare benefits such as medical, dental, vision, life, and Short- and Long-Term Disability

• Flexible Spending Accounts for eligible health care and dependent care expenses

• Family benefits such as adoption assistance and paid parental leave

• Defined contribution retirement plans with employer match and other financial wellness programs

• Educational Assistance Program

Note: Eligibility for programs listed above may depend on your FTE or status (e.g., full-time, part-time, per diem, temporary, etc.); please ask a Recruiter for more information during an interview.