Cardiac Surgery Consult Physician Assistant

Provides direct care to a select patient population in collaboration with the physician.

• Performs and records the patient history and physical exam and discusses findings with the physician.
• Utilizes advanced clinical knowledge to identify, prevent or solve complex and/or recurring patient care problems.
• Follows and manages patients (in collaboration with MD) enhancing continuity of care.
• Performs (oversees/assures completion of) specialized procedures particular to the select population mutually agreed upon with collaborating physician.
• Performs medically delegated aspects of patient care as agreed upon by medical administrators according to practice guidelines.
• Collaborates with unit staff and physicians to facilitate a comprehensive plan of care and coordinate resources.
• Orders, interprets, and evaluates appropriate laboratory and diagnostic tests in accordance with current guidelines.
• Maintains and practices in accordance with practitioner guidelines per state and hospital regulations

Provides consultation to Nurses, Advanced Practice staff, and Physicians.

• Serves as a resource to staff in area(s) of expertise.
• Serves on appropriate intra- and interdepartmental committees.

Participates in the development of formal and informal educational programs for the unit-based staff.

• Develops educational programs within area of expertise.
• Collaborates with unit staff, Clinical Educators, Staff Specialists and other health care professionals to meet staff and patient educational needs.

Monitors patient outcomes in accordance with defined standards of patient care.

• Collaborates with clinical nurses and medical staff to plan, implement, and evaluate for changes in practice and health care delivery.
• Identifies system-wide factors contributing to undesirable outcomes, such as complications, increased length of stay, and overutilization of services.
• Facilitates patient movement through the system and efficient use of resources through interdepartmental collaboration.

Supports research efforts to advance knowledge and to promote research-based practice.

• Evaluates own practice and program effectiveness.
• Identifies pertinent health delivery problems for investigation.
• Evaluates current research findings for clinical specialty and determines applicability to unit practice.
• Assists nursing and medical colleagues in research efforts.

Responsible for own professional growth and maintenance of required credentials.

• Maintains the standards and educational requirements specific to the position and licensure.
• Identifies learning needs and goals.
• Takes responsibility for leadership and participation on committees and task forces within the HVI and the hospital.
• Maintains and updates clinical knowledge and skills based on current health care practice/research.

Participates in MGB quality initiatives and/or hospital committees as assigned

Preoperative:

• Function in direct collaboration with Cardiac Surgeons in the evaluation and assessment of cardiac surgery inpatients
• Perform comprehensive initial preoperative cardiac surgical patient evaluation
• Follow and manage patients between initial consult and date of surgery, to include following up on all pre op data
• Provide pre-surgical education to patients and clinical staff
• Facilitate scheduling of operative procedures by coordinating with the division surgical schedulers
• Participate in the development of pre-op and post-discharge protocols to standardize practices
• Coordinate pre- and postoperative consultations with other divisions or departments when necessary
• Ensure preoperative patients are fully evaluated and ready for surgery on a timely basis and in accordance with available operating suites
• Provide first contact for patients and their families
• Coordinate care with Care Coordinators
• Refill prescriptions as needed
• Coordinate with Admitting teams to ensure operative work-up is completed for inpatient preoperative patients

Capacity Operations Coordination:

• Interface with AMC lead APP for patient care coordination and clinical operations in addition to Surgeon of the Week and Division Chief.
• Actively manage use of available OR slots
• Interface with Capacity Coordination Center
• Interface with Patient Transfer Access Center (PTAC)
• Interface with Administrative Chief Residents and service residents as needed
• Alongside the AMC lead APP for patient care coordinator and clinical operations develop workflows to improve patient throughput
• Serve as a clinical resource in determining acuity for outside hospital transfers
• Coordinate and oversee the Cardiac Surgery Inpatient Consult list including the staffing of cases to surgeons
• Coordinate patient throughput with other departments to ensure efficient lines of movement
• Attend Surgeon's Division Meetings as necessary
• Participate in HVI related committees responsible for overseeing patient movement and/or resource utilization
• Participate in regular service huddles related to patient movement across services
• Coordinate care and patient movement with APP team clinicians as necessary
• Work with referral coordinators to ensure outside referral sources needs are being met
• Performs other duties related to patient throughput as designated