Vascular First Assist Advanced Practice Provider

Sioux Falls, SD

Worker Type

Regular

Work Shift

Primarily days with night, weekend and holiday on-call involvement (United States of America)

At Avera Heart Hospital, you’re not just joining a workplace – you’re becoming part of a family. With more than 700 dedicated employee, we deliver care that truly makes a difference. Our commitment to excellence has earned us the distinction of being one of only a handful of hospitals nationwide – out of more than 4,000 – to achieve a double 5-star rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Position Highlights

Position Summary

The Vascular First Assist Advanced Practice Provider (APP) functions as both a skilled surgical first assistant to the vascular surgery team and an independent/collaborative clinician in the outpatient vascular clinic.

This dual-role position requires advanced clinical judgment, technical proficiency in the operating room, and strong diagnostic and management skills in the clinic setting. The Vascular First Assist APP plays a critical role in ensuring safe, efficient, and high-quality surgical and ambulatory care while supporting optimal patient outcomes across the continuum of care.

Responsibilities

Surgical First Assist Responsibilities (OR)

• Act as first assistant in vascular surgical procedures, including open and endovascular cases.
• Provide expert tissue handling, exposure, retraction, hemostasis, and suturing under surgeon direction.
• Assist with vessel exposure, anastomosis preparation, and graft placement
• Participate in wound closure, dressing application, and intraoperative decision-making as appropriate.
• Maintain sterile technique and anticipate surgical needs throughout the procedure.
• Assist with intraoperative troubleshooting and complication management in collaboration with the surgeon.

Outpatient Vascular Clinic Responsibilities

• Independently or collaboratively evaluate new and established vascular patients.
• Perform focused history and physical examinations related to vascular disease.
• Order, interpret, and act on appropriate diagnostic testing (e.g., duplex ultrasound, ABI, CTA, labs) in collaboration with supervising physicians.

Develop and implement evidence-based treatment plans for conditions including

• Peripheral arterial disease
• Carotid disease
• Venous insufficiency and varicose veins
• Wound care related to vascular disease
• Postoperative follow-up care

Provide preoperative evaluations and surgical clearance coordination

Conduct postoperative clinic visits including

• -Wound assessment and management
• -Suture/staple removal when appropriate
• -Complication recognition and triage
• -Medication management and patient education

Counsel patients on

• Risk factor modification (smoking cessation, exercise, medication adherence).
• Surgical vs. non-surgical treatment options.
• Expectations for recovery and long-term vascular health.
• Collaborate closely with vascular surgeons, vascular sonographers, and nursing staff.
• Document thoroughly and accurately in the electronic medical record.

Education

• Graduate of an accredited Physician Assistant program or Nurse Practitioner programs (MSN/DNP). ​
• Current, unrestricted PA license (state) with NCCPA certification or NP license (state) with national board certification (AANP/ANCC as applicable).
• Current DEA license for prescribing.
• BLS required; ACLS required or obtained within a defined onboarding period.

Experience

Minimum 1-2 years clinical experience as an APP in an inpatient and/or procedural setting or strong surgical rotation background with readiness to function in perioperative workflows.

Prior APP experience in Vascular Surgery preferred.

Prior first assist experience with vein harvest/endovascular preferred.