PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT 40/hr Rotating

Affiliate Name: Brigham & Women's Hospital
Job Category: Allied Health
Department: BWH CARDIAC CATH LAB
Shift: Rotation
Hours/Week: 40
Job Type: Regular
Employment Type: Full TimeResponsibilities:
General Summary/Overview:The Staff Physician Assistant will work with the Interventional Cardiovascular Medicine Service and particularly with the Interventional Team within the Cardiovascular Division of the Department of Medicine. This individual will assist the attending cardiologist in all areas of patient care in the Interventional Cardiovascular Medicine Service. In addition the Staff Physician Assistant will also work collaboratively with attending cardiologists on the Cardiac Electrophysiology and Clinical Cardiology services on a rotational basis. Rotation and call schedules will be determined by patient need and may include both nighttime on-call responsibilities and weekend coverage.Principal Duties and Responsibilities:1. Pre-procedure Patient Care:The Staff Physician Assistant will be responsible for obtaining and coordinating the following general items: history and physical, laboratory results, charting of clinical findings, admission orders, nursing instructions and other required elements. The Staff Physician Assistant, in collaboration with the Laboratory Flow Managers, will coordinate admissions and transfers to the hospital, and ensure that informed consent for procedures is obtained. The Staff Physician Assistant will perform pre-procedure assessments in the Pre-admission testing center, Recovery room/holding area or outpatient setting as needed.2. Interface between Cardiac Catheterization and Intervention Laboratory and Recovery Area:The Staff Physician Assistant will be knowledgeable about the Cardiac Catheterization and Intervention Laboratory scheduling, procedure room turnover and availability of resources. He/she will be called upon to manage patients after their procedures and while they await transfer to patient floor, and will assure availability of equipment for special procedures. The Staff Physician Assistant will ensure blood bank preparation and formal or standing surgical backup, when required for patient care. The Staff Physician Assistant will assist in family liaison.3. Medical Treatment and Post-procedure Care:The Staff Physician Assistant will be responsible for many aspects of care under the supervision of the attending physician, including but not limited to: fluid and electrolyte management, nutrition, pain management, transfusion therapy, anticoagulation management, education, and post-discharge planning. Following procedures, the Staff Physician Assistant will manage vascular access, monitor and manage arrhythmias, pacing, drug therapy, O2 therapy, and other non-cardiac medications, under the supervision of the attending physician. The Staff Physician Assistant will assist in the evaluation and management of clinical events such as fever, altered hemodynamics, CHF, pulmonary complications, abrupt vessel closure, arrhythmias, access site complications and others. The Staff Physician Assistant will assist in transfers to and from the intensive care units.4. Procedure responsibilities:The Staff Physician Assistant will assist the attending physician during diagnostic, interventional and research procedures performed in the Cardiac Catheterization and Intervention Laboratory and other clinical areas.5. Discharge PlanningThe Staff Physician Assistant will perform patient education regarding discharge including preventive care and risk factor reduction. He/she will write discharge orders, prescriptions and dictate discharge summaries in collaboration with the attending physician. The Staff Physician Assistant may act as a liaison between the attending cardiologist and family members, and will schedule follow-up care as necessary, including VNA if needed.6. Research and Education:The Staff Physician Assistant will be offered the opportunity to participate in aspects of research involving planning, performance, and analysis of data, and publications. The Staff Physician Assistant will complete the 100 hours of continuing medical education necessary during each 2-year period of employment. The Staff Physician Assistant will attend internal and external education meetings and read appropriate professional journals in order to maintain and enhance skills and clinical competence. The Staff Physician Assistant will be encouraged to advance his/her medical and technical skills as appropriate to deliver optimum patient care.7. Supervisory Responsibility:The Staff Physician Assistant will supervise medical students (MD and/or physician assistant) who do clinical rotations in the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory as directed by the attending physician. The Staff Physician Assistant will teach students, housestaff, nurses, technicians and cardiology fellows as instructed by the attending physician, particularly with regard to the evaluation, interventional treatment and longitudinal care of patients with cardiovascular disease.
REQUIREMENTS
Qualifications:1. Must be a graduate of a 2-year graduate level program approved by the AMA Board of Approval and Certification of physician assistant Programs.2. Must have 4 years of college level education and bachelor's degree or equivalent.3. Board certification by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants is required.4. Six to twelve months of on-the-job training will be required for full competence in the position.Skills and Abilities Required:1. Must have broad knowledge of medical environment, surgical practices and performance goals of the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory and Interventional Services at BWH.2. Must exercise the highest degree of professional judgement under the direction and guidance of a licensed physician.3. Must be able to accept instruction and guidance and assume graded responsibility in complex teamwork.4. Must be able to administer such care and treatment and exercise such independent originality in solving problems not covered by existing guidelines, within legal limits, to meet the needs of the patients.5. Must maintain a professional attitude toward patients at all times and an excellent and collegial working relationship with other personnel involved in patient care.The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.