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Hi all,

 

New graduate here. Just accepted a position to work as a CCU PA in a large academic institution. Anyone else worked within this setting? I'll be doing your standard MICU procedures + some cardio ones, moderate sedation, cardioversion. I'd appreciate any references, podcasts or conferences to give me insight on this position. Thanks!

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For basic cards books I like Clinical cardiology made ridiculously simple.  CCU survival guide by Herzog looks good on amazon, but I've never read it.  And you can't go wrong with Braunwald's as a reference book (it is basically the cardio bible). 

 

All of the podcasts that I know of are for SICU, there may be some overlap though.  Check out ICU rounds podcasts, EM Crit, and life in the fast lane for online resources.

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  • 11 months later...

Hey all...

 

I'd love to bump this topic.  Local academic center who does a LOT of advanced HF, adult congenital, transplant, MCS work has started a dedicated CCU and has oh-so-kindly agreed to take me on as a new grad.  I've joined the SCCM and ACC for resources, have been perusing every article I can find revolving around these topics.  Subscribed to ICU rounds, EMCrit, SMACC etc.

 

Hardcopy resources would be handy, will look into Braunwalds and the above mentioned items. Ventilator management would be very helpful, I've developed an understanding of each type/mode/option available, but the actual applicability of those modes to clinical conditions is kind of lacking.

 

I would truly appreciate any tips and/or tricks, pearls etc. that ya'll have developed over the years.  I'm entering a great learning environment, but will be the first (and only) PA on this service working with a large number of NPs, so want to make an impression. (Preferably good)

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Congratulations.

 

It's great that you are proactively learning prior to starting. You will need to continue this mindset, as critical care is extremely challenging with a huge learning curve but equally rewarding. Continue to read about vents, watch videos on them but I found that until you are actually managing and adjusting them it can be difficult to fully grasp..

 

Take FCCS and get certified. Be really friendly with the respiratory therapists, you will learn a lot. Study up on portable chest X-rays in the critical care setting... There are certain things we look for. Read up on vasopressors, inotropes and central lines/swan ganz (why do we use them, what are the indications and risks... How do we interpret them/what limitations do they have).

 

The book is dated but explains things well, the ICU book by Marino can give you an understanding of some pathophys... important to understand how in multi organ failure how different systems effect each other.

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  • 2 years later...

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