PA l - INPATIENT 40 HOURS DAYS - BWH DEPT OF NEUROSURGERY

PA must meet the following educational requirements:

• Must have successfully completed a Graduate Level accredited Physician Assistant Program approved by AMA Board of Approval and Certification of PA programs.
• Must have 4 years of college level education and bachelors degree or equivalent. (BS/MS joint programs are also acceptable.

PA shall meet the following minimum requirements for work experience:

• Completion of PA degree program with previous hands on patient care experience.
• At least 13 years of previous experience as a PA is preferred but not required.

PA must have or be eligible for the following license/certifications/registrations:

• National Commission on Certification of PAs
• License as a Physician Assistant in Massachusetts
• Current DEA and Massachusetts Controlled Substance Licenses
• Basic Life Support certification
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support certification

Upon hiring PA must do the following:

• Complete 100 hours of CME according to national and state regulations during each 2 year period of employment.
• Complete BWH Professionalism Program within 3 months of date of hire.

The work may require the lifting of heavy objects and patients as well as exposure to potentially infective material. Work requires contact with needles and other sharp instruments monitoring devices and other stateoftheart equipment. Prolonged standing may be required. The hospital is approximately mile long and excessive walking to and from the patient care units can be expected.

Under the direction of the Director of Neurosurgical Critical Care Chief Resident(s) and supervising MDs the Physician Assistant in the Department of Neurosurgery is responsible for supporting inpatient perioperative care by serving as the liaison between the Neurosurgical physicians and the patient and family. The PA will provide clinical support on the wards through patient evaluation monitoring and medication management and is responsible for coordinating patient discharges from the service or hospital. The PA may work in the operating room or emergency room or do procedures on the ward ER or NICU at the discretion of the Chief Resident.

• Works under the Director of Neurosurgical Critical Care and Chief Residents to ensure a seamless patient flow and positive patient experience through the inpatient Neurosurgical service.

• Performs and records complete history and physical examination for new inpatient Neurosurgical admissions.

• Examines and evaluates patients and assists in development of their treatment plans with the attending physicians.

• Participates in the daily interdisciplinary care rounds and collaborates with inpatient nursing services to arrange for needed diagnostic tests and procedures.

• Writes daily progress notes in conjunction w/ Residents and Fellows and dictates discharge summaries.

• Performs the following patient care functions (but not limited to): suturing suture removal wound care/packing Aline Central line NGT/feeding tubes EVD and ICP placement and monitoring lumbar drain placement and lumbar punctures; spine immobilization draping and patient positioning.

• Performs lifesaving procedures in accordance with ACLS/ATLS recommendations and departmental protocols/guidelines.

• Interprets and applies lab data and other test results in patient care.

• Arranges and coordinates discharge plans by writing d/c orders prescriptions and postadmission teaching for patients and/or families.

• Prior to discharge ensures that appropriate followup visits are scheduled with the appropriate supervising MDs.

• Collects data from charts of interviews w/ patients for clinical studies being performed under the direction of the Attending surgeons.

• Responds to clinical questions from nurses and/or patients in a timely manner.

• Involvement in selected procedures and/or main Operating room cases on an as needed basis.

Non Clinical Duties:

Team Work Interpersonal & Communication Skills

• Provides closed loop communication between all members of the professional and support care staff to ensure that patient care remains the top priority at all times on the service.

• Facilitates communication between team members in clinic and on the floors by utilizing any available resources.

• Acts as a liaison between staff and patients communicating updates treatment plans followup care testing etc in a timely and precise manner.

• Discusses ideas and concerns with other team members in a positive feedback forum that focuses on improving patient care.

Leadership Role

• Serves as a mentor to PA staff in training students and house staff educating others while continuing to learn and expand ones own knowledge base.

• Behaves as a role model for fellow team members to emulate and functions as an empathic practitioner.

• Demonstrates flexibility and adapts his/her role to whatever task is needed.

• Continuously strives to improve the quality of the care given to every patient on the service.

Professionalism/Professional Development

• Maintains a courteous and professional manner toward all members of the care team.

• Complies with all professionalism training and embraces diversity in ones work environment.

• Attends all service and multidisciplinary conferences and contributes information and ideas whenever possible.

Operations Support/Administrative Responsibilities

• Provides continuous feedback for IS issues and strives to learn new systems as they become available to improve patients care documentation and communication.

• Works closely with the billing team to maintain thorough documentation for proper reimbursement and serves as a resource for the hospital in the future for billing as a midlevel provider.

• Continues to provide the highest standard of patient care while incorporating costcutting measures and improving efficiency within the department and the hospital.

• Provides clinical support for the Director of Spinal Neurosurgery to improve patient care and satisfaction.

Clinical Duties:

In addition to the above job descriptions in clinical duties the PA I should display the following skills and take part in the following tasks:

Team Work Interpersonal & Communication Skills

• Communicates and implements plans to all team members with medical judgment to adjust plans as clinically indicated (ALL changes in plans with be discussed with Attendings).

• Demonstrates thorough knowledge of patients in his/her care and is prepared to discuss treatment plans clinical condition and all relevant information with consulting staff team members and Attendings in an organized and concise fashion.

• Is approachable and professional toward patients family members and all hospital staff at all times.

• Must be energetic quality driven and have proven ability to be a productive member of a cohesive team of peers dedicated to providing optimum patient care.

Quality of Care Patient Care & Medical Knowledge

• Provides detailed explanations of all surgical procedures performed on the service to team members students and patients including risks and benefits. Informed consent can be performed under the direction of the Attending Physician.

• Prioritizes patient care above all other tasks at all times.

• Continuously works to improve patient care and increase patient safety.

• Follows all guidelines for infection control and precautions.

• Demonstrates and maintains a thorough knowledge of anatomy and physiology with continued study of Neurosurgical practices and current articles.

• Is proficient in those procedural skills essential to ones job function.

Professionalism/Professional Development

• Exercises the highest degree of professional judgment under the direct supervision and guidance of a licensed physician.

• Maintains a professional attitude towards patients and exercise such mature independent originality in solving problems not covered by existing guidelines within legal limits to meet the needs of the patients.

• Maintains an excellent and collegial working relationship with other personnel.

• Demonstrates understanding of procedures policies and documentation required to ensure compliance with hospital standards of care.

Operations Support/Administrative Responsibilities

• Remains proficient with BWH computer systems as needed to independently perform daily tasks such as order entry EMAR lab tests and results incident reporting BICS etc.

• Consistently provides high quality and timely documentation including admission notes progress notes discharge summaries and dictations.

Other duties as assigned by the supervising physician or leadership team.

The above skills outlined will be tailored appropriately to maintain the proper care of patients ranging from teenagers to the elderly. The staff member must be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served on his/her assigned unit.

*These designated duties and responsibilities are essential functions of the position as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).