Full Job Description
Physician Assistant I/ Cardiac Surgery Ambulatory
– (3286756)
GENERAL SUMMARY/ OVERVIEW STATEMENT:
The physician assistant (PA) is a licensed provider who has acquired a broad range of knowledge and skills through the successful completion of a physician assistant program. The PA is responsible for the assessment and management of various populations of patients, medical and/or surgical, including diagnostic and therapeutic interventions, development of appropriate plans of care and ongoing evaluation. The physician assistant works under the supervision of an attending physician and reports directly to the department administrator or chief physician assistant administratively.
The PA will perform in accordance with all state and federal regulations and institutional policies including but not limited to the BWH PA Scope of Practice, Prescriptive Guidelines, approved clinical privileges, and BWH PA policy.
ADDENDUM:
The Division of Cardiac Surgery believes in the “team” approach to patient care. In collaborating with the Cardiac Surgeons, the Ambulatory Physician Assistant I will be involved in coordination of treatment and assistance in management of preoperative and postoperative adult cardiac surgery patients.
The Ambulatory Physician Assistant I is required to have a clear knowledge of adult cardiac surgery, works collaboratively in a team setting while also working autonomously.
PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
The Ambulatory Physician Assistant I will:
- Attend and contribute to all preoperative consultation and post-operative clinic visits of the adult cardiac surgery patient while assisting the attending cardiac surgeon.
- Perform preoperative evaluation of the adult cardiac surgery patient, including but not limited to the patient’s medical and surgical history, physical exam findings and medication review and reconciliation while documenting all information in the patient’s electronic medical record.
- Act as the liaison for the attending cardiac surgeon and adult cardiac surgery patient beginning with the patient’s initial pre-operative consultation.
- Educate and support the adult cardiac surgery patient, being readily available to answer all questions, respond to phone calls and provide resources to augment learning.
- Obtain, review and interpret all preoperative cardiac studies and labs and communicates findings to the attending cardiac surgeon.
- Schedule preoperative imaging and obtain results to communicate to the cardiac surgery attending.
- Communicates and works collaboratively with the inpatient cardiac surgery PA team, ICU attending and resident/fellow on the cardiac surgery team regarding concerns and challenges to discharge of the adult cardiac surgery patient and discusses all information with the cardiac surgery attending.
- Communicate and work collaboratively with VNAs, PCPs, cardiologists and pharmacists of the adult cardiac surgery patient, both preoperatively and postoperatively
- Perform post-operative medicine reconciliation and pain management.
- Provides direct care, counseling, and teaching to a designated patient population in the ambulatory, and/or procedural setting.
- Develops appropriate plans of care and follow-up based on the outcomes of diagnostic, laboratory, and physical examination findings
- Orders medications and writes prescriptions according to organizational and regulatory policies and procedures
- Consistently provides high quality and timely documentation
- Performs procedures as are appropriate to the patient population
- Practices cost effective medicine in an efficient manner, maximizing available resources
- Discusses patient data with other physicians and professionals as appropriate in a multidisciplinary setting
- Demonstrates expert clinical judgment skills to function in an independent role
- Additional duties and responsibilities as required by the department/division
Non-Clinical Duties and Responsibilities:
- Administrative responsibilities, postop phone calls, communication to referring providers, discharge calls and documentation, interactions with VNA, prescriptions and refills.
- Demonstrates professional collaborative and consultative relationships with other providers
- Follows all designated prescriptive practices and monitoring requirements with the designated supervising physician and administrative report
- Participates in departmental and organizational committees and programs as appropriate and attends all required meetings, in-services, and professional trainings
- Maintains superior interpersonal and communication skills as a member of the healthcare team in order to collaborate effectively with patients, families, staff, and community health workers
- Remains actively involved in continuing education with a commitment to self and departmental growth
- Adheres to all established safety policies, procedures, and precautions; identifies potential or actual unsafe situations in the environment and takes measures to rectify the situation
- Demonstrates understanding of procedures, policies, and documentation required to ensure compliance with hospital standards of care
- Additional duties and responsibilities as required by the department/division
PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Principle Clinical Duties and Responsibilities:
- Provides direct care, counseling, and teaching to a designated patient population in the ambulatory, inpatient, operative, and/or procedural setting
- Performs complete histories and physical examinations
- Orders, interprets, and evaluates appropriate laboratory and diagnostic tests
- Develops appropriate plans of care and follow-up based on the outcomes of diagnostic, laboratory, and physical examination findings
- Orders medications and writes prescriptions according to organizational and regulatory policies and procedures
- Consistently provides high quality and timely documentation including admission and progress notes, procedure notes, operative notes and discharge summaries
- Performs bedside procedures as are appropriate to the patient population
- In some settings, the PA may first assist in the operating room or procedural areas
- Practices cost effective medicine in an efficient manner, maximizing available resources
- Discusses patient data with other physicians and professionals as appropriate in a multidisciplinary setting
- Demonstrates expert clinical judgment skills to function in an independent role
- Additional duties and responsibilities as required by the department/division
Non-Clinical Duties and Responsibilities:
- Demonstrates professional collaborative and consultative relationships with other providers
- Follows all designated prescriptive practices and monitoring requirements with the designated supervising physician and administrative report
- Participates in departmental and organizational committees and programs as appropriate and attends all required meetings, in-services, and professional trainings
- Maintains superior interpersonal and communication skills as a member of the healthcare team in order to collaborate effectively with patients, families, staff, and community health workers
- Remains actively involved in continuing education with a commitment to self and departmental growth
- Adheres to all established safety policies, procedures, and precautions; identifies potential or actual unsafe situations in the environment and takes measures to rectify the situation
- Demonstrates understanding of procedures, policies, and documentation required to ensure compliance with hospital standards of care
- Additional duties and responsibilities as required by the department/division
For all positions that include direct patient care, indicate with an “X” the age(s) of all patient populations served
No Direct Patient Care
All age groups
Adolescence (13 to 17 years)
X
Neonates (birth to 1 month)
Young Adult (18 to 25 years)
X
Infant (1 month to1year)
Adult (26 to 54 years)
X
Early Childhood (12 months to 5 years)
Senior Adult (55 to 64 years)
X
Late Childhood (6 to 12 years)
Geriatric (65 years and up)
X
QUALIFICATIONS:
- The appropriate candidate will have successfully completed a graduate level physician assistant program (Masters degree) accredited by the Accreditation and Review Committee for Physician Assistants (ARC-PA) or such other accrediting agency as may qualify a graduate to sit for the NCCPA certifying examination
- BS/MS joint programs and those candidates with a BS and PA certificate are eligible, but ONLY for those who graduated BEFORE 1995
- Certification by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) must be obtained prior to first day of employment
- Must hold a current valid license or be eligible for licensure as a physician assistant in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
- Must have or eligible for, and maintain, a current DEA registration and Massachusetts Controlled Substance Registration
- Must complete 100 hours of CME according to national and state regulations during each two year period of employment
- Must complete the BWH Professionalism Program within three months of date of hire
- Must complete the BWH Procedural Sedation Training if deemed necessary
SKILLS/ ABILITIES/ COMPETENCIES REQUIRED:
- Must have the ability to work in a high stress, dynamic, busy clinical setting with changing organizational climate
- Must have the ability to be self-directive and to demonstrate initiative in addressing the responsibilities of the position
- Must have the ability to utilize appropriate problem-solving and conflict resolution skills
- Must be energetic and quality driven and have a proven ability to be a productive member of a team dedicated to providing optimal patient care
- Must be proficient with BWH computer systems as needed to independently perform daily tasks (EMR, Epic preferred)
- Must maintain the highest degree of professional judgment under the supervision and guidance of a licensed physician
WORKING CONDITIONS:
Work settings may include ambulatory clinics and treatment rooms, inpatient areas, intensive care units, operating rooms, and/or procedural areas. There may be loud noises, noxious odors, and temperature extremes. A large portion of the workday may be spent either standing or walking and the position may require heavy lifting of equipment and patients.
The PA may be exposed to radiation, potentially infectious bodily fluids, and sharp instruments such as needles and scalpels. Knowledge of Universal Precautions and proper use of surgical sharp instruments may be required. The consequences of contamination from bodily fluids or from being stuck with a sharp instrument include the possibility of physical harm to the employee or others. BWH is a fast paced, dynamic environment with a very large and complex patient volume; exposure to stress in the workplace is expected.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:
The PA I does not have supervisor responsibilities
FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY:
The PA I does not have fiscal responsibilities.
EEO Statement
Brigham and Women’s Hospital is an Affirmative Action Employer. By embracing diverse skills, perspectives and ideas, we choose to lead. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, age, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, military service, genetic information, and/or other status protected under law. We will ensure that all individuals with a disability are provided a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment.