Radiation Oncology Physician Assistant

The Radiation Oncology Section at Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine/Boston Medical Center provides a full range of cancer care to a diverse patient population in the city of Boston, including a robust clinical trials program. The position is in the ambulatory practice, where the provider will be responsible for both inpatient and outpatient consultations in conjunction with a supervising physician, supportive care including prescription writing and appropriate referrals, ordering laboratory tests and diagnostic imaging, and providing coordination of care with other departments in the cancer center. The practitioner is also expected to participate in screening and enrollment onto clinical trials, attending relevant tumor boards, coordinating care with other departments.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Physician Assistant(PA) is a professional caregiver who assumes responsibility for providing patient-focused health care. In this role, assessment, communication skills, and problems solving techniques are used to deliver quality care and to facilitate physician productivity. This highly respected role is also instrumental in acting as a liaison for oncology patients and working in concert with clinic and case management staff in order to meet the clinical needs of patients. In order to fulfill these responsibilities, the position will perform tasks as directed by the supervising physician and the clinic supervisor or manager. In addition, the position performs only those clinical tasks he/she is capable of and within the scope of the supervising physician. Will comply with all hospital by-laws, rules and regulations. Prescribes Category III and above drugs as indicated by state/federal licensing. Implement telephone orders for Category II drugs when a standing order is present. Provide orders under supervision of physician during assigned “on call” duty. The PA will work as part of a team in the Department of Radiation Oncology in a multidisciplinary environment working with Radiation Oncologists, Registered Nurses, Medical Physicists, Radiation Therapists, Dieticians, and Social Workers in collaboration with referring medical oncologists and surgeons.

Boston Medical Center Radiation Oncology treats all adult cancers including curative and palliative treatments. The PA reports to and is managed by the Operations Manager while working under the supervision of Faculty/Attending Providers. The incumbent will provide care to patients including evaluating inpatient and outpatient consultations, taking histories; conducting physical exams; document findings and actions as indicated; simple procedures within the department; and assist with the planning of the course of patients’ treatments. The PA will perform site-specific patient teaching; prepare patients for simulation; may assist with contouring structures for treatment planning; medicate patients as needed per protocol; order medications for symptom relief per protocol; assist in managing patients in follow-up; and quality of life issues not limited to skin/wound care, acute and long term toxicity management and psycho-social issues.

In addition the PA will answer patient phone calls, emails, My Chart messages, questions and perform other duties as required such as attending tumor boards, participate in department, and medical center committees as needed. Other duties may include developing patient education materials; staff development; training; teaching; outreach; assisting with research; analyzing or collecting data; and assisting other service teams in providing care to patients in the department as needed.

Position: Physician Assistant

Department: Radiation Oncology

Schedule: Full Time (40 Hours)

JOB REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION:

Master’s degree from an accredited PA program.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS REQUIRED:

• Current license to practice as PA in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts with authorization by the Board of Registration of Physician Assistants.
• Registered with accrediting organization for Physician Assistant.
• Registered with the State of Massachusetts and DEA for prescription writing privileges.
• Current BLS and ACLS Certifications.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

• Expert clinical judgment and ability to be self-directive and demonstrate initiative in an expanded role.
• Demonstrated critical thinking, problem solving and conflict resolution skills.
• Full command (verbal and written) of the English language.
• Demonstrated ability to apply principles of adult learning to provide effective patient and/or family education.
• Organizational skills to set priorities and efficiently complete assigned work.
• Effective interpersonal skills to facilitate communication with the various members of the health care team, patients and families.
• Computer proficiency inclusive of the ability to access, enter, and interpret computerized data/information required.
• Physical ability to meet the core job responsibilities in accordance with the practice setting demands for the patient populations regularly served.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Disabled/Veterans