Full Job Description
The Physician Assistant job provides medical and/or surgical care and treatment to a specific patient population under the supervision of physician(s). This job provides diagnostic, therapeutic and/or preventive healthcare service, as delegated by a physician. This job may perform any or all of the following: histories and physicals; order and interpret tests; make preliminary diagnosis; treat injuries/illness; assist with surgical procedures; counsel patient and/or prescribe medication and those invasive procedures defined by the Virginia Board of Medicine.
The Physician Assistant job works collaboratively with the medical team to deliver organized, timely, cost effective and quality patient care. This role may supervise support staff. The Physician Assistant will provide patient care under defined departmental and state approved scope of practice and under the supervision of an attending physician(s). The level of supervision will be commensurate with the complexity of the patient’s condition and as approved by the Board of Medicine. These protocols are acknowledged by the Physician Assistant and all of the supervising physicians.
Essential Job Functions
Performance Expectation: Clinical & Patient Care Responsibilities
Demonstrates mastery of treatment and patient care of specialty population served.
Demonstrates expert knowledge to coordinate patient care across the continuum of services through the patient’s trajectory of illness.
Assesses the health status of individuals through health histories, by performing physical examination, initiating screening, ordering or performing diagnostic tests, providing direct patient care, assisting with surgical procedure, therapeutic intervention, prescribing medication and/or counseling patients to a specified patient population.
Initiates emergency procedures as needed.
Practices safety, environmental and/or infection control methods.
Makes rounds with the attending physicians as necessary.
Supervises and/or coordinates the activities of patient care and support staff within assigned area.
Documents all pertinent information and data in the patient’s medical record. Interpreting information obtained from history and physical and develops a treatment plan.
Formulates and prioritizes appropriate short-term and long-term therapeutic plans when indicated.
Incorporates in the plan of care the physical, spiritual, cultural and psychosocial aspects of patients and families to promote optimum levels of health.
Explores strategies to decrease length of stay and resource consumption within specialty area.
Establishes priorities to meet the health needs of the individual, family or community.
Maintains effective communications about patient care with all members of the health care team to assure care is coordinated.
Assists with the coordination of care between primary and specialty health care services when needed.
Performance Expectation: Consultation
Functions as a consultant to other health care professionals in the multi-disciplinary team regarding routine and unusual therapeutic interventions.
Serves as a liaison, translator and negotiator for staff, patients and families.
Collaborates in the development, implementation, communication and monitoring of the multi-disciplinary plan of care for complex patients.
Shares responsibility for patient education which may include the patient, family members or other caregivers.
May provide training to residents, fellows and other health care staff in area of specialty.
Participates in the continual assessment and revision of practices and procedures in specialty area.
Promotes teamwork through effective communication, feedback to team members.
Recognizes team as integral to individual effectiveness and quality patient outcomes.
Performance Expectation: Research
Utilizes current research to develop, implement and evaluate critical paths and standards of care for identified patient population.
Contributes to the profession through participation in research, publications, consultation and/or educational activities.
Demonstrates knowledge and support for clinical trials within specialty area.
Performance Expectation: Ethical Decision Making Skills
Incorporates the use of clinical judgment in ethical decision making.
Practices the principles of ethics in decision making for patients.
Promotes the use of interdisciplinary collaborative processes to resolve ethical dilemmas.
Demonstrates appropriate use of skills of negotiation, mediation, collaboration, compromise and accommodation to assist families struggling with ethical decisions.
Displays the ability to examine patient’s values that impact treatment decision-making preferences.
Recognizes patient rights as a foundation for ethical decisions.
Performance Expectation: Professional
Development Seeks out opportunities for professional growth through organizational affiliations.
Functions in collaborative relationships with physicians, allied health professionals and administration.
Assesses own learning needs and develops and implements a plan for professional growth.
Enhances professional growth and development through participation in educational programs, current literature, in-service and workshops.
Participates in teaching program as needed.
Participates in continuing education activities to maintain competencies and to meet re-certification requirements.
Maintains appropriate certification requirements to continue VCUHS privileges.
Performance Expectation: Miscellaneous Responsibilities
Performs other duties/projects as requested by the supervisor, physicians and/or residents in a courteous and helpful manner and in accordance with departmental guidelines/policies.
Attends meetings/conferences that promote patient care and quality initiatives.
Provides assistance to other team members.
Accepts alternate assignments.
Licensure, Certification, or Registration Requirements for Hire:
Licensed as a Physician Assistant by the Virginia Board of Medicine Physician Assistant
Certification (PA-C) by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA)
Current CPR and Basic Life Support (BLS) certifications
Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications where needed
Credentialing in accordance with medical staff by-laws for specific job title
Licensure, Certification, or Registration Requirements for continued employment:
Current license as a Physician Assistant by the Virginia Board of Medicine
Current PA-C certification
Current CPR and BLS certifications
Current ACLS certification where needed
Current prescriptive authority/licensure by the Virginia Board of Medicine
Credentialing in accordance with medical staff by-laws for specific job title
Experience REQUIRED:
Previous clinical experience with the population served
Experience PREFERRED:
Three (3) years of previous clinical experience with the population served
Previous experience in an academic healthcare system
Education/training REQUIRED:
Graduate of an accredited Physician Assistant Program
Successful completion of the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE)
Education/training PREFERRED: N/A
Independent action(s) required:
Clinical decision making in collaboration with physicians and daily prioritization of activities.
Supervisory responsibilities (if applicable):
May supervise and/or coordinate the activities of other medical and support staff as it relates to patient care.
Additional position requirements:
Based on area of assignment, may be required to work evenings, nights, weekends and holidays and required to take call.
Work schedules are subject to change based on patient and service needs.
Age Specific groups served:
As appropriate based on unit assignment.
Physical Requirements (includes use of assistance devices as appropriate):
Physical: Lifting less than 20 lbs. Lifting 50-100 lbs.
Activities: Prolonged standing, Prolonged sitting, Frequent bending, Walking (distance), Climbing (steps, ladder, other), Reaching (overhead, extensive, repetitive)
Mental/Sensory: Strong recall, Reasoning, Problem solving, Hearing, Speak clearly, Write legibly, Reading, Logical thinking
Emotional: Fast pace environment, Able to handle multiple priorities, Frequent and intense customer interactions, Noisy environment, Able to adapt to frequent, change
The Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center is seeking a Cardiothoracic P.A. for our dynamic program of 10 surgeons and 3 P.A.’s.
We perform a full range of cardiothoracic procedures including CABG, arrhythmia correction, minimally invasive valve replacement/repair, and complex aortic procedures. In addition, we are proud of our internationally recognized cardiac device program, performing LVAD’s, total artificial heart implants, and cardiac transplants.
The ideal candidate for this position will have experience in cardiac surgery, including EVH and first assisting. Superior organizational skills, flexibility, and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment are essential qualities for this position that reports directly to the Department Chief of Cardiovascular Surgery.
Duties include: first and second assisting in the OR on all adult cardiac cases, EVH, pre and post-operative patient management in conjunction with our team of house staff and nurse practitioners, initial patient consultation, and procedures including, but not limited to, placement of femoral lines, insertion/removal of chest tubes, insertion/removal of IABP’s, and thoracentesis.
Call expectations. No in-house, ICU, or floor call. Excellent salary and benefit package, including CME reimbursement and on-call compensation.
Workday Day (United States of America)
EEO Employer/Disabled/Protected Veteran/41 CFR 60-1.4.