Piedmont Heart Physician Assistant/ Nurse Practitioner Fellowship in Advanced Cardiology

Mission Statement

To educate certified Physician Assistants and Nurse Practitioners in evaluating and managing critically ill patients requiring advanced cardiac therapies, through a multidisciplinary team approach.

Fellowship Description

The Piedmont Heart Physician Assistant / Nurse Practitioner Fellowship in CV Critical Care is a collaborative effort amongst cardiovascular specialists at Piedmont Heart. Since its inception in 2014 as the first Advanced Cardiology Residency program, it has developed into a premier CV Fellowship encompassing all aspect of cardiovascular critical care.

Fellows will participate in and manage the admission, consultation, and daily rounding of cardiac patients to the intensive care units, and serve as a member of the 24/7 Cardiology Critical Care and Cardiovascular Critical Care services at Piedmont Atlanta Hospital. In addition, fellows will rotate through cardiovascular subspecialties including, but not limited to, general and interventional cardiology, electrophysiology, advanced heart failure, and cardiac, thoracic and vascular surgical services.

Fellows will work alongside industry experts and acquire skills necessary to contribute to the management of advanced cardiovascular disease pathophysiologies. Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (C-ICU) Fellows will focus on management of cardiogenic shock, advanced coronary disease, heart failure, cardiac arrhythmias, valvular heart disease and advanced percutaneous therapies including mechanical circulatory support. Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (CV-ICU) Fellows will focus on management of post-operative cardiovascular patients who have undergone surgical therapies: CABG, valve repairs/replacements, LVAD, heart transplant and ECMO*.

Additionally, Fellows will work with experts in advanced imaging techniques such as echocardiography and cardiac MR/CT. There will be ongoing opportunities to obtain Category I CME throughout the year along with teaching opportunities at various local NP and PA programs.

*CABG: Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting
*LVAD: Left Ventricular Assist Device
*ECMO: Extra-corporeal Membrane Oxygenation

Program Description

Core Curriculum

DIDACTIC - 15%

Routine didactic/clinical applications workshops.
Weekly self-study per rotation directed by the curriculum.
Grand Rounds and M&M lectures.
Teaching opportunities at PA/NP programs
Participate and Present in quarterly Journal Club sessions.
Serve as a resource for CCU nursing education.
Receive 1 week for attending CME conferences

CLINICAL - 85%

Admit and round on patients in Coronary Care units, along with providing consultations in cardiac and CV surgical ICU’s.
Manage hemodynamics, ventilators, mechanical cardiac support, advanced heart failure, sepsis, and multi-system organ failure.
Participate in STEMI response team.
Participate in daily multi-disciplinary rounds.
Participate in OR and Post-surgical cardiovascular care of LVAD, ECMO, and routine open-heart surgical patients.
Perform invasive catheter insertion with ultrasound guidance.
Perform focused bedside cardiac ultrasound.
Obtain proficiency in cardiac-related responsibilities for credentialing of advanced state privileges and licensing requirements.
Participate in cardiac subspecialty rotations.
Elective rotations in cardiovascular services.

Fellowship Rotations

Fellowship Application Requirements

A graduate of an accredited PA Program OR MSN Program with Acute Care Specialty.
Minimum GPA of 3.5 is recommended.
Certified in ACLS and BLS.
Completed application including:
- Three letters of recommendation (If candidate has graduated within the last year, one letter of recommendation must be from the Program Director or Clinical Coordinator.
- Personal Statement
- Curriculum Vitae
- Official School Transcript.
Current or Eligible for Georgia State Licensure.
Current or Eligible for NCCPA Physician Assistant Certification OR NP Certification through ANCC or AACN.
Self-motivated with a strong interest in the management of critically ill cardiovascular patients.