Physician Assistant

The Physician Assistant assesses plans and provides patient care under the supervision of a physician. Examines patient performs comprehensive physical examinations and compiles patient medical data including health history and results of physical examination. Relies on education experience professional training and judgment to accomplish responsibilities. A wide degree of creativity and latitude is expected. Works under minimal supervision. May lead and direct the work of others within scope of practice.

1. Patient Care
   1. Performs individual assessment rounds on all inpatients MET patients and Emergency patients. Evaluates and collaborates with attending physician providing documentation of medical findings and plan of care.
   2. Provides routine Medical Management of inpatient care such as ordering diagnostic tests labs x-rays nutrition and medications as appropriate.
   3. Under the direction of the Attending Physician conducts minor procedures as needed including insertion and removal of central venous catheters chest tubes indwelling venous and arterial catheters venous punctures arterial punctures nasogastric tubes bladder catheters lumbar punctures endotracheal intubations PICC lines and bedside ultrasonography- See Surgical PA Guidelines and Scope of Practice specific to CVT surgery.
   4. Adheres to mutually agreed upon Clinical Practice Guidelines and scope of practice with supervising physician.
   5. First-assist surgical duties as described in PA scope of practice.
2. Technical Tasks
   1. Demonstrates competence in all aspects of practice within the scope of surgical/first assist Uses appropriate internal and external resources to resolve meet or exceed patient and family health care needs
   2. Demonstrates competency and accuracy in all work tasks including those directly and indirectly related to patient care consistently providing nursing care according to established practice guidelines and in conformance to established standards of care and administrative policies & procedures
   3. Identifies common and unusual problems for patient populations to develop expected outcomes
   4. Maintains current knowledge concerning principles and practice of nursing through current literature attendance at workshops and seminars membership in professional organizations
   5. Creates and maintains accurate records appropriate legal documents and other reports of client care consistent with the requirements of local state and/or federal regulatory agencies
   6. Is responsible for adhering to the Standards of Nursing Practice and developing or assisting in the development of Quality Assurance indicators for the practice
   7. At all times maintains complete and accurate recordkeeping of all patient care related activities assisting as necessary in the patient billing process providing information relative to office visits to appropriate personnel within the office
   8. Demonstrates proficiency in the referral process and use of multidisciplinary resources to meet patient needs; maintains always appropriate channels of communication and harmonious relations with other healthcare providers.
   9. Demonstrates competence in operation of routine office practice equipment and consistently operates them in a safe fashion
   10. Completes requests for office visits outside patient testing and routine information in an accurate & timely fashion
   11. Demonstrates a knowledge of corporate policies regarding fire and safety handling hazardous materials (if applicable) and infection control.
   12. Participates and contributes to the Quality Assurance and Infection Control Program as appropriate. Contributes to CVTS program as applicable.
3. Partnership and Collaboration
   1. Participates in multidisciplinary rounds and communicates treatment plans to the physician nursing staff and patient families.
4. Critical Thinking
   1. Consistently demonstrates the ability to assess a situation consider the alternatives and properly choose an appropriate course of action.
   2. Able to assess diagnose develop plan of care and assess patient outcomes in a competent and timely manner
   3. As appropriate requests and assists the collaborative physician in development of a patients plan of care
   4. Performs reassessment of patients patient progress implications for revision of plan of care and documents same
   5. Assesses & facilitates resolutions of the patients psychosocial problems and support needs initiates necessary consultation and involvement of other health care personnel as appropriate
   6. Discriminates between normal and abnormal findings on history and physical examinations recording these findings in the chart/record
   7. h. Effectively plans the use of time at work setting priorities assisting others as necessary and is creative in the use of extra time
   8. Performs necessary diagnostic and therapeutic or emergency measures as indicated for identification and management of problems including cardiac arrest respiratory arrest/distress injuries burns hemorrhage removal of superficial foreign bodies application of dressings and bandages and basic hearing & vision testing.
   9. Institutes appropriate emergency measures for the stabilization of patients with apnea shock and respiratory/cardiac arrest.
   10. Inspires confidence from patients visitors and families by performing and communicating in a courteous and professional manner at all times.
   11. Displays good problem-solving skills and takes responsibility for improving technical skills critical thinking and interpersonal relationship skills.
   12. Communicates impressions plan of medical management and information about patients with the collaborative physician as appropriate
   13. Plans implements and evaluates all nursing care consistent with the scope of practice of a nurse practitioner and in conjunction with the collaborative practice guidelines
   14. Utilizes initiative and independent judgement in evaluating the assessment implementation and evaluation of patients meeting the practice.
   15. Plans individualized patient care for patients that reflects continuity of care and family involvement; identifies nursing interventions develops creative options to meet needs of clinic patients and their families.
   16. Develops Standards of Nursing Care and Standards of Nursing Practice and Quality Assurance criteria to assist with evaluation of patient care.
   17. Collaborates with appropriate personnel in developing implementing and evaluating a comprehensive plan for patients and as appropriate their families
   18. Utilizes interviewing skills as a tool for obtaining data from specific patients with complex problems then formulating a plan for resolution.
   19. Participates in the medical care of patients seen in the office assessing and developing a comprehensive health data base (including the elicitation of a comprehensive health history and performance of physical assessment using skills of observation inspection palpation percussion and auscultation as well as basic instruments and indicated screening procedures).
   20. Sets priorities with appropriate personnel for matters related to patient care
   21. Assesses the health care delivery system in the office in relation to its appropriateness with a view to changes and revisions of policies and procedures if warranted
   22. Initiates or modifies medical treatment.
   23. Helps assess the medical and nursing care rendered by self & others within the practice identifying any need for improvement and communicates this information to appropriate personnel.
   24. Accurately assesses health status of patients coming to or telephoning the practice for assistance and/or information.
   25. In collabororation with appropriate personnel assists in the development and implementation of teaching plans for patients & their families.
5. Quality
   1. Initiates appropriate emergency care in lieu of Supervising Physician.
6. Other Duties as Assigned or Asked
   1. Performs other duties as assigned or requested.
   2. First-Assist Surgical Duties.

Education - Bachelors Degree in Physician Assistant Medicine or Health Sciences see licensure requirements
Training - 1 year Cardiothoracic Surgery