Physician Assistant- Cardiac Surgery Phys Practice

Works independently and with autonomous collaboration with physician to provide complete physical examinations, diagnosis, and treatment of both chronic and episodic disorders. Ensures proper illness and injury care and disease prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and recovery. The Physician Assistant works within a collaborative model to provide quality care and to improve patient outcomes by strengthening continuity of care in all settings for patients, families, and staff in both the hospital and physician practice settings. The Physician Assistant (PA) remains responsible for the patient throughout the course of the treatment, provides the physical examination, the diagnosis, and the health care plan, determines when the patient has recovered, and releases the patient. The PA may refer the patient to physicians for consultation or to specialized health resources for treatment but retains responsibility for clinical management as well as any subsequent medication.

The PA may perform pre, intra, and post-operative care of surgical patients and functions as an essential member of the surgery team. The PA works directly to assist the surgeon in all patient care activities.

Responsibilities

• Examines patients to determine presence of illness, utilizing physical findings, laboratory results, medical history, ascertains nature and extent of illness and prescribes treatments as indicated. Provides quality care across the continuum in collaboration with physicians, Advanced Practice Providers, nursing staff, and other members of the care team, and is expected to manage patient care autonomously within the scope of professional practice.
• Develops a plan of care for patients in coordination with the multidisciplinary team and completes appropriate reports to physicians and family.
• May provide inpatient care, rounding on surgery patients and providing pre, peri and post‑op services including: (A) Care for complex surgical population; (B) Assisting responsibilities in the operating room; (C) Ordering and collecting test samples and assessing to update patient’s plan of care as necessary; (D) Educating patients and families during patient’s hospital stay; (E) Taking appropriate action when medical complications arise; (F) Within the scope of education, training, and credentialing, providing full‑scope care for patients in the inpatient setting.
• Orders and reviews appropriate laboratory and diagnostic procedures, reviews all lab data and documents, and issues prescriptions to patients based on Federal & State Regulations.
• Documents and maintains patient records of services provided according to facility and nursing standards.
• Provides direct clinical care for the patient population according to established protocols and utilizes evidence‑based practice standards in collaboration with the team.
• The PA provider participates in educational activities and research as applicable, ensures regulatory compliance, documents care according to standards, and prescribes by collaborative agreement and State regulations.
• Provides patient education, counseling, and instruction regarding diagnosis, medical treatments, medications, and preventative care.
• Maintains accurate and confidential medical records, documenting all medical evaluations, diagnoses, procedures, treatments, outcomes, education, referrals, and consultations consistent with organizational standards in the electronic health record (EHR).
• Participates in performance improvement processes to meet the quality of care and service standards.
• Participates in and supports accreditation, compliance, and regulatory activities of the organization.
• All other duties as assigned within the scope and range of job responsibilities.

Required Education, Credential(s) and Experience

• Education: Master Degree; Physician Assistant
• Credential(s):
  • Basic Life Support
  • Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support
  • Physician Assistant Licensure
  • Physician Assistant – Controlled Substances Registration
• Experience:
  • Required: Two years general surgery experience and post‑operative management of the surgical patient. May consider new graduate with appropriate rotations.
  • Preferred: Three (3) years’ experience as a Physician Assistant in a specific area of practice.