Full Job Description
The Surgical Physician Assistant (PA) works collaboratively with the organ procurement multidisciplinary team to provide high-quality, donor patient care to maximize the number of organs available for transplant. This role involves pre-operative and operative care of donor patients, as well as post recovery follow up responsibilities focused on quality tracking and outcomes.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
DONOR COORDINATION AND ORGAN RECOVERY
- Assumes 50% on-call responsibility to serve as the first assist to Surgical Organ Recovery Specialists and recovery surgeons during organ procurement procedures.
- Performs donor management and evaluation procedures such as arterial and central line placement, bronchoscopy and biopsy procedures.
- Conducts comprehensive donor patient assessments, including review of pertinent medical and social history, and physical examinations to maximize donation.
- Orders and interprets diagnostic studies, such as lab tests and imaging, to assist with donor management and surgical planning.
- Participates in the perfusion and preservation of deceased donor organs for transplant and maintains the highest level of competency.
- Participates in the surgical procurement of deceased donor organs for research, when requested, including neonatal organ recovery for research.
- Assists with machine preservation, including placing kidneys on the preservation machine and trouble-shooting any issues that may arise.
- May be required to assist with other organ preservation support as needed.
- Ensures sterile technique is adhered to at appropriate times and ensures proper use of surgical instrumentation.
- Knowledge of legal authorization, ICU processes and organ allocation.
- May provide consultation for tissue donor screening and evaluation as needed.
ADMINISTRATION
- Leads departmental growth and improvement activities as needed.
- Participates as an active member of the Transplantation Community of Practice (TCOP) Committee.
- Participates as an active member of the Critical Care Committee.
- Participates in the surgical review process, to include analyzing data reports specific to organ recovery, outcomes, discard rates and surgical error rates on organs recovered and identifies potential areas for improvement, including monitoring and ensuring occurrence reporting and follow up is completed.
- Attends Transplantation meetings at local transplant centers, as invited to provide follow-up reports, engage in selection meetings or other engagement activities as indicated.
- Assists Medical Director with compiling and maintaining surgical reports for required meetings such as TCOP, Quality Council, and others.
- Reviews autopsy reports according to established policy to ensure safe transplantation of organs and tissues and assists with quality reporting to required agencies.
- Assists with review of infectious disease notifications to appropriate authorizing individuals.
QUALIFICATIONS AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS
- Graduate from an accredited Physician Assistant program required.
- Current National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) required.
- Active licensure in good standing to practice as a PA in the state of Kansas and Missouri required.
- Surgical assisting experience preferred, but new graduates must have strong clinical rotations in surgery.
- Excellent knowledge of OR process and aseptic technique.
- Ability to obtain Certified Procurement Transplant Coordinator (CPTC) and Certified Transplant Preservationist (CTP) Certifications within 18 months.
- Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certifications required.
- Ability to work a minimum of 40 hours per week and participate in 24-hour call. Must be available on non-call days during normal business hours. Required to work for extended periods of time with few breaks.
- Must maintain a valid driver’s license in accordance with MTN motor vehicle policy. Must have reliable personal automobile transportation to be used with company reimbursement using IRS guidelines. Must be able to travel within the service area by ground or air.
- Excellent organization and time management skills; ability to function independently and collaboratively; good problem-solving and creative thinking skills and well-developed personal stress management skills.
- Ability to lift 50 pounds and transfer short distances.
- Possess ability to operate telephones, computers and surgical equipment.
- Ability to speak and communicate clearly in order to accurately convey information to donor families, hospital staff and transplant/procurement personnel in person or by phone.
- OSHA Category I – Exposed regularly to bloodborne pathogens while performing assigned job duties. Bloodborne pathogens protection is required.
- Home internet and wireless phone access may be required.
MTN BEHAVIORAL COMPETENCIES
Belonging: Intentionally connects with colleagues by embracing differences and finding commonalities to create a workplace where all employees feel safe and genuine at work. Models the philosophy that lived experiences make individuals unique by respecting and seeking to understand beliefs, values and opinions that are new or different from their own. Represents through actions and influence, the idea that diverse perspectives make MTN stronger as we serve our mission.
Respect: Builds a positive and supportive foundation inviting open, honest, and clear communication. Fosters a sensitive, supportive, and trustworthy environment, which promotes active listening and strengthens rapport throughout all interactions. Cultivates teamwork through acceptance and inclusion by valuing differences and empowering strengths.
Excellence: Demonstrates excellence by going above and beyond, while maintaining compassion and humility in all interactions. Demonstrates a high rate of achievement and success for the organization through proactive objectives centered on the overall mission and vision. Consistently models a positive attitude, a willingness to help others, and a dedication to improvement. Takes full responsibility for their role and challenges themselves to find workable solutions.
Accountability: Demonstrates the highest ethical standards, by honoring commitments to each other and professional partners. Executes all interactions through honesty and transparency. Demonstrates responsibility and integrity through ownership of the mission. Utilizes resources appropriately.
Leadership: Empowers, mentors and encourages all staff, while displaying a high-level of professionalism. Demonstrates ability to cultivate teams and relationships through open lines of communication, honesty and respect. Handles challenges with compassion by developing trust through respectful feedback and support. Acts as a resource by providing the tools, which enable others to reach their highest potential.
It is the policy of Midwest Transplant Network (MTN) to provide equal opportunity in employment to all employees and applicants for employment. No person will be discriminated against in employment because of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, ethnic origin, age, genetic information, disability, protected veteran status, arrest record, or any characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws. In addition, the organization complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the organization has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, training, employee activities and general treatment during employment
MTN is committed to complying with state and federal disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability to enable the applicant or employee to be considered for the position they desire, to perform the essential functions of the position in question, or to enjoy equal benefits and privileges of employment as are enjoyed by other similarly situated employees without disabilities, unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of MTN’s mission.