Physician Assistant, Cardiovascular

Criteria Based Job Description

Job Title: Physician Assistant-CV

Reports to: Director Cardiovascular Svc Line

JOB CODE: 800780

Approved by: Director Cardiovascular Svc Line

Department: Cardiovascular Surgery RHSC

Approval Date: December 2020

Minimum Qualifications

Education

Completion of and certification in an accredited Physician Assistant program

Experience

None

Knowledge, Skills

& Abilities:

• Ability to perform as part of a team

• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing, with peers, students and other health care personnel

• Ability to work dependently and independently

• Ability to manage multiple simultaneous tasks and prioritizes appropriately

• Knowledge of personal computers and appropriate software.

• Ability to access and analyze pertinent information in order to make care decisions

• Ability to First and Second assist (harvest veins)

Licensure/

Registration/

Certification

• Licensed as a Physician Assistant by the State of Minnesota

• NCCPA certified

Preferred Qualifications

Education: None

Experience: 1-2 years of experience preferred in the cardiovascular surgery (OR) environment which includes First Assisting and/or vein harvesting

Knowledge, Skills

& Abilities: None

Licensure/

Registration/

Certification: None

Position Summary Statement

The CV Physician Assistant is primarily responsible for assisting the cardiovascular surgeons in the care of cardio thoracic patients in the operating room, and post operatively on the nursing units. In the operating room and on the nursing units, the CV-PA will first assist the surgeon by initiating vein harvest, closing the leg incision and second assisting the surgeon as needed in the chest.

On the inpatient nursing unit, the CV-PA will coordinate the patients care and assist the surgeon in directing the post-operative nursing care for these patients. The major functions in this environment consist of patient assessment, writing medication and treatment orders and performing, or directing specific tasks. Among these tasks are pulling tubes/lines and dictating discharge summaries.

The CV Physician Assistant may be required to support the CV surgeons at multiple hospital sites performing the duties noted above. Off premise call and weekend rounding will typically be expected in this position.

Major Job Duties and Tasks

Percentage

Of Time

1.

The Physician Assistant in Cardiovascular Services is responsible for the coordination of care of cardiovascular patients.

50%

a. Coordinates the management of care with the Surgeon, Fellow, CV Clinicians and nursing staff for CV surgical patients.

b. Maintains knowledge of current pre & post-operative care in the ICU and Telemetry environment.

c. Pulls chest tubes, a-lines, IV’s, Swan Ganz catheters as determined by CV team, or independently.

d. Writes orders for medications and treatments as necessary to facilitate post-operative care.

e. Dictates discharge summaries in a timely manner to facilitate discharge.

f. Performs delegated medical tasks as necessary (i. e. chest tube placement) in emergency situations.

g. See patients as needed in the outpatient setting

2.

Provides education to and is a resource for the inpatient and surgical services staff.

10%

a. Explains procedures to nursing staff to assist in care planning

b. Provides patients/families with explanations of treatments to assist in decision making / informed consent process.

c. Obtains informed consent as needed.

3.

Establishes and Maintains effective, collaborative working relationships with other members of the health care team across the organization.

10%

a. Routinely discusses and collaborates with physicians and other members of the health care team regarding the patients’ plan of care.

b. Responds to requests for consultation in a timely and effective manner in order to provide for patient care needs.

c. Demonstrates understanding of collaborative relationships by appropriately identifying and directing patient care within the scope of practice for a Physicians Assistant.

d. Deals with conflict, or confrontation in a professional manner.

4.

Communicates information regarding patient care in a timely and effective manner.

10%

a. Functions as liaison between patient/family and other health care team members

and the physician.

b. Verbal and written communication is complete, accurate, and timely.

c. Initiates and/or participates in team conferences, family meetings, etc.

d. Deals with conflict and confrontation in a respectful and professional manner.

5.

Effectively problem solves

10%

a. Maintains knowledge of regulatory influences (CMS, JCAHO) and applies those standards to clinical practice.

b. Is open to changing priorities, adjusts work accordingly.

c. As assigned, participates and leads groups for the purpose of clinical problem solving.

d. Sets priorities.

e. Uses critical thinking skills.

f. Utilizes appropriate lines of authority.

6.

Participates as an effective organizational member.

5%

a. Adheres to high ethical and professional standards, shows respect for and to others.

b. Accepts responsibility and accountability for his/her actions and decisions.

c. Complies with work rules, standards and policies.

d. Performs other duties as necessary to meet the needs of the patient.

7.

Maintains and updates clinical knowledge including certification(s) as appropriate (e. g. BLS, ACLS, NALS).

5%

a. Regularly updates self with new information, policies/procedures.

b. Maintains knowledge of regulatory influences and applies those standards to clinical practice.

c. Improves/expands clinical expertise through reading, attending in-services, conferences, etc.

d. Completes annual required education.

e. Participates in local/national professional organizations.

f. Keeps current in clinical and educational practice issues both regionally and nationally through networking, reading and dialogue.

g. Maintains own professional competency, certification and visibility.

Organizational Expectations

Values

All team members are expected to demonstrate our values:

Excellence: We strive for the best results and always look for ways to improve.

Compassion: We care and show empathy and respect for each person.

Partnership: We are strongest when we work together and with those we serve.

Integrity: We are open and honest, and we keep our commitments.

We are committed to living our values. That means our patients and families can

expect certain things from each of us:

They can expect us to be their partner and treat them with dignity and respect.

They can expect us to listen carefully and give good, timely information. They can expect us to do our best to provide affordable, coordinated, high quality care and services that are easy to find and simple to use. They can expect safe, clean spaces. And they can expect that we will do our very best to earn their trust by being open and honest, and keeping our word.

Additional Expectations

• Complies with safety instructions, observe safe work practices, provides input on safety issues and promotes a safe work environment.

• Maintains regular and timely attendance

• Protects confidentiality

• Demonstrates participation in and support of the organization's Corporate Integrity Program by participating in compliance-related education and training and complying with the organization's policies and procedures.

• Timely completion of all mandatory education and organizational requirements (i. e. licensure/certification, Employee Health and Wellness requirements, annual training, etc.)

Population Specific Competencies

X Yes

     No

Does this employee have direct patient contact? If yes, age-specific competency checklist MUST be attached.

Leadership Responsibilities

The CV Physician Assistant has no formal leadership responsibilities. However, he/she is accountable for coordinating and directing the OR staff in the absence of the surgeon.

Physical Requirements

Work environment includes: office, operating room and clinical nursing care units.

Office/OR/Nursing Unit Environment: Stands 4-6 hours and walks 2-4 hours daily while performing duties. May view a computer screen for up to 2 hours a day.

Lifts, pushes, pulls training equipment up to 50lbs. Must be able to transport self throughout the hospital. Must be able to perform tasks requiring fine motor and hand/eye coordination.

Environmental Conditions

Office Environment: May be exposed to printer/copier cartridges, no extreme conditions.

OR/Patient Care Unit: May be exposed to hazardous substances, harmful physical agents, and infectious agents that exist in the patient care area in the performance of duties. In the operating room, may be exposed to sharps, anesthesia gasses and radiation (x-ray).

Equipment

Office Environment: Computer, fax, printer, copy machine and other office machines, audiovisual equipment.

Operating Room/Patient Care Unit: Needles, syringes, cautery, OR beds, other surgical instrumentation, vital sign monitors, pacemakers, chest drainage systems, and hemodynamic lines.

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