UPMC HEART AND VASCULAR INSTITUTE APP TRANSITION TO PRACTICE-Hanover Module 1 Introduction

The learner should use this period as an opportunity to learn from seasoned colleagues through experiential, observational, and didactic learning. Benchmark Exams will be given for each module learned. This will serve as part of the onboarding and orientation for all APPs hired in the Heart and Vascular Institute in adult cardiology and adult cardiac surgery who are new graduates or have less than 1 year of experience as an APP in cardiology or cardiac surgery.

Target Audience

This course is designed for physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and other health care professionals who seek improved quality of care for the patients of the HVI. 

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this activity, participants should be able to:

  • Identify UPMC’s basic pillars and Core Values
  • Recognize the importance of ethical patient management.
  • Describe the role of the OAPP and APP Clinical Career Ladder
  • Manage arrythmias in both the inpatient and outpatient setting.
  • Interpret 12 lead EKGs.
  • Identify arrhythmic medication options.
  • Describe invasive and surgical management options to treat atrial fibrillation.
  • Utilize the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association guidelines in patient management decision making.
  • Identify and treat all stages of hypertension
  • Identify appropriate diagnostic testing.
  • Assess and evaluate patients with coronary artery disease and coronary artery disease risk factors
  • Recognize emergent situations regarding NSTEMI and STEMI.
  • Implement care plans for medical, transcatheter, and surgical therapy to treat coronary artery disease.
  • Co-manage acute and chronic systolic and diastolic heart failure in the inpatient and outpatient setting.
  • Identify therapeutic options for advanced heart failure, including medical management, heart transplantation, and ventricular assist devices.
  • Order the appropriate medication regimen.
  • Co-manage structural heart disease in the inpatient and outpatient setting.
  • Identify therapeutic options for valvular heart disease, including medical management, transcatheter, and surgical interventions.
  • Recognize evolving technology in the structural heart space.
  • Recognize subspecialty expertise found within HVI’s Cardiac Specialty Clinics.
  • Identify patients for referral to cardiac specialty clinics
  • Identify patient care management decision-making tasks regarding surgical intervention for coronary, valvular, and aortic heart disease.
  • Recognize the 5 index STS operations in Cardiac Surgery.
  • Manage special surgical patient populations, including endocarditis and aortic aneurysm emergencies.
  • Identify patient care management decision-making tasks for patients with vascular disease.
  • Document appropriate MCCs within the electronic medical record
  • Perform independent billing in compliance with Medicare regulations
Course summary
Available credit: 
  • 42.00 AAPA Category I CME
  • 42.00 ANCC
    UPMC Provider Unit is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation
  • 42.00 Attendance
Course opens: 
02/07/2023
Course expires: 
02/07/2026
Canvas course
United States

Planning Committee:
Lisa Henry, DNP, CRNP, FACC -  HVI APP Manager, UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute at UPMC

Course Director:
Chelsey Goodbrod, PA-C - UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute

Conflict of Interest Disclosure:
No planners, members of the planning committee, speakers, presenters, authors, content reviewers and/or anyone else in a position to control the content of this education activity have relevant financial relationships to disclose.

In support of improving patient care, the University of Pittsburgh is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) and the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

Physician Assistant (AAPA)
The University of Pittsburgh has been authorized by the American Academy of PAs (AAPA) to award AAPA Category 1 CME credit for activities planned in accordance with AAPA CME Criteria. This activity is designated for 42.0 AAPA Category 1 CME credits. PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation.  

Nursing (CNE)
The maximum number of hours awarded for this Continuing Nursing Education activity is 42.0 contact hours.

Other health care professionals will receive a certificate of attendance confirming the number of contact hours commensurate with the extent of participation in this activity.

Available Credit

  • 42.00 AAPA Category I CME
  • 42.00 ANCC
    UPMC Provider Unit is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation
  • 42.00 Attendance
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