Senior Cardiac Surgery Physician Assistant

Job Profile Summary

The Cardiac Surgery PA role focuses on all aspects of cardiac surgical care including pre-operative, intra-operative, and post-operative evaluation and management.

Job Overview

This position reports to the Division Chief of Cardiac Surgery and Vice-President of Ambulatory Services and is responsible for the care of cardiac surgical patients consistent with standard accepted practices. As an experienced Cardiac Surgery PA, you will be expected to participate in teaching and mentoring of junior/early-career staff, development of clinical protocols, and other quality improvement or administrative duties such as committee work as directed by the Division Chief. The Cardiac Surgery PA also acts as a liaison between patients, families and physicians. For those interested and qualified, there may be leadership opportunities to serve as Co-Chief PA.

Job Description

Minimum Qualifications:

1. Bachelor's degree.

2. Successful completion of a Physician's Assistant program.

3. Physician's Assistant Certification within one (1) year of hire.

4. Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.

5. Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification.

6. Five (5) years of Physician's Assistant experience.

7. State and federal controlled substances registration.

Preferred Qualifications:

1. Master's degree.

2. Five (25) years of Physician's Assistant experience.

3. Bi/multi-lingual.

Duties and Responsibilities: The duties and responsibilities listed below are intended to describe the general nature of work and are not intended to be an all-inclusive list. Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned.

1. Orient and train new physician assistants, coordinate schedules and vacation coverage.

2. Develop, refine and update physician assistant job descriptions; develop behavioral objectives and performs initial evaluation of physician assistant students.

3. Prepare educational lectures on clinical topics for nursing and other ancillary personnel.

4. Serve on hospital committees as designated by the Division Chief; review and update division protocols for adult patient care for approval by the Division Chief.

5. Serve as primary clinical provider for cardiac surgical patients in the ICU, ward, office, and as first or second assistant in the OR.

6. Perform preoperative preparation of adult patients and reinforce information presented by the attending physician to the patient and/or family as necessary. Coordinates necessary tests, consultations, and procedures as indicated or requested by the attending physician.

7. First or second assist routine and complex surgical procedures as necessary. Positions and preps patients, performs operative assistance as requested, transcribes operative notes and postoperative orders in accordance with service protocols, accompanies patients to recovery room or intensive care units.

8. Perform bedside diagnostic and therapeutic invasive procedures as indicated or directed by the attending surgeon, including but not limited to thoracentesis, tube thoracostomy, central venous lines, Swan-Ganz catheter insertion, wound debridement, and endotracheal intubation.

9. Prepare patients for discharge, including patient and family discharge teaching, continuing care and rehabilitation arrangements, writing discharge prescriptions, and confirming primary care or referring physician follow-up.

10. Participate in the education of students and residents assigned to the cardiac surgical service.

11. Maintain collaborative team relationships with peers and colleagues and help foster a positive work environment.

12. For Chief PA, responsibilities can include direct and supervise assigned personnel including performance evaluations, scheduling, orientation, and training. Make recommendations on employee hires, transfers, promotions, salary changes, discipline, terminations, and similar actions. Address grievances and other personnel problems within position responsibilities. Provide effective direction, guidance, and leadership over the staff for effective teamwork and motivation.

Physical Requirements:

Skills & Abilities:

1. Possess the ability to care for critically ill adult patients with a broad range of medical problems.

2. Effective interpersonal skills for interacting with physicians, staff, patients and their families.

3. Excellent analytical skills needed for evaluating patients and coordinating treatment plans.

4. Possess maturity, self-confidence, and the ability to follow complex patient management plans as directed by the attending surgeon.

5. Possess the ability to supervise and coordinate the activities of several physician assistants.

6. Possess a high level of verbal and written communication skill in order to develop and implement educational programs, evaluate staff, and treat patients.