Nurse Practitioner First Assist - Acute Care - Nights​/Weekends​/CV Surgery; Woodlands

At Houston Methodist, the Nurse Practitioner (NP) First Assist AC position is responsible for functioning as an advanced practice practitioner, maintaining and promoting the health of patients requiring care. The role assists the physician in global management of patient care in all peri‑operative settings, performing both inpatient and outpatient duties under the Nurse Practice Act of Texas. The NP diagnoses and determines treatment, interprets examinations, writes prescriptions, orders therapies, and provides patient education.

The position also operates in the operating room at least 30% of the time and may be on call as required by supervising physician or management.

Employees in this job code are assigned to nights and/or weekend shifts intermittent with day shifts as part of their regular schedule.

• Education: Master’s degree or higher from an accredited school of Nursing and graduation from an accredited Nurse Practitioner program.
• Experience: Two years of registered nurse, advanced practice, or nurse practitioner clinical experience, and one year of surgical experience.
• Licenses & Certifications
  
  Required:
  
  
  
  • RN – Registered Nurse, Texas State Licensure (PSV Compact Licensure, permanent Texas license within 60 days if establishing residency).
  
  • ARPN – Acute Care State License.
  
  • Magnet ANCC‑recognized Acute Care Practitioner certification.
  
  • CRNFA – Certified Registered Nurse First Assistant (CCI).
  
  • BLS – Basic Life Support or Instructor (AHA).
  
  • ACLS – Advanced Cardiac Life Support or Instructor (AHA).
  
  • AP – Prescriptive Authority, Texas Board of Nursing.
  
  • DEA – Narcotics License (DEA).
• Skills & Abilities: Demonstrated ability to perform assigned tasks safely, proficiency in English, effective communication with patients and team, therapeutic communication, assessment and organizational skills, ability to work independently with judgment, time‑management, and critical thinking in line with the Nurse Practice Act.

• Provides leadership as a clinical resource, interprofessional consultant and patient advocate; offers coaching and staff development.
• Fosters teamwork, role models communication, and serves as preceptor for NP students and medical residents.
• Engages staff through active listening, equitable decision‑making, and support for organizational goals.

• Provides timely patient care under physician supervision, prioritizing needs and preferences.
• Coordinates care among providers and participates in interprofessional rounds.
• Provides first‑assist/second‑assist surgical services as needed.
• Responds promptly to patient questions and emergencies, advocating on behalf of patients and families.

• Leads quality and safety improvement activities aligned with organizational goals.
• Assists the interprofessional team in developing protocols to ensure patient safety.
• Conducts health assessments, develops care plans, initiates interventions, and evaluates outcomes.
• Performs invasive, diagnostic, surgical, or therapeutic procedures per licensure and credentialed privileges.

• Supports department financial targets through timely documentation, reduced length of stay, and optimization of efficiency.
• Contributes to resource utilization planning and capital needs to meet financial objectives.

• Promotes quality health care by integrating research into practice and participating in evidence‑based activities.
• Leads practice changes and performance improvements, provides education through presentations and publications, and updates personal development plans.

• Uniform:
  No
• Scrubs:
  Yes
• Business professional:
  Yes
• Other (department approved):
  Yes

• On Call:
  Yes

• May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area:
  Yes
• May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area:
  No