Physician Assistant

The Surgical Physician Assistants employed by Norwalk Hospital function under the supervision of the attending surgeons with ultimate responsibility to the Chairman, Department of Surgery.

Surgical service coverage encompasses general surgery as well as surgical subspecialties including: thoracic, vascular, urology, colo-rectal, bariatrics, plastic and reconstructive surgery, neurosurgery, orthopedics, gynecological surgery, and the SICU.

PAs are responsible for 24 hour coverage including a rotating on-call schedule. Responsibilities include, history and physical examinations, OR assisting, all-inclusive pre- and post- operative care of patients, and active participation on the trauma team. On-Call duties require coverage of the SICU.

Surgical PAs at Norwalk Hospital also participate in the education and hands-on training of PA residents and PA students.

Responsibilities

1. Interpersonal & Communication Skills Criteria A: Communicates effectively with attending physician regarding patient condition, plan, urgency of situation Interpersonal & Communication Skills Criteria B: Appropriately shares information with health care team to facilitate patient management Interpersonal & Communication Skills Criteria C: Allows effective information exchange with patients, their families and other health care associates Interpersonal & Communication Skills Criteria D: Shows compassion and understanding when communicating with patients and their families

2. Professionalism Criteria A: Adheres to the State of Connecticut regulatory requirements as well as the appropriate role of the Surgical PA Professionalism Criteria B: Maintains professional demeanor with patients, their families, health care staff and attending physicians Professionalism Criteria C: Is punctual for O.R. cases and scheduled activities Professionalism Criteria D: Accepts constructive suggestions in the spirit of process and performance improvement.

3. Patient Care Criteria A: Demonstrates compassionate care. Patient Care Criteria B: Formulates short and long term goals for treatment and consistently works toward those goals; orders reflect appropriate care.

Patient Care Criteria C: Technical skills are consistent with experience and intraoperative communication demonstrates an appropriate knowledge base and understanding of surgical procedures. Patient Care Criteria D: Remains organized and responds appropriately to clinical situations

4. Medical Knowledge Criteria A: Demonstrates appropriate use of H&P findings in developing a differential diagnosis.

Medical Knowledge Criteria B: Demonstrates ability to order and interpret laboratory and diagnostic studies appropriate to surgical condition Medical Knowledge Criteria C: Expresses clear understanding of potential outcomes based on management decisions.

Medical Knowledge Criteria D: Pharmacologic orders reflect standard of care and awareness of potential side-effects.

5. Practice Based Learning and Improvement Criteria A: Demonstrates ability to integrate available on-line and other medical information with daily care plans where appropriate. Practice Based Learning and Improvement Criteria B: Facilitates the learning of PA Residents, students and other health care professionals.

Practice Based Learning and Improvement Criteria C: Evaluates need for specific CME, attends related conferences and utilizes knowledge in patient care. Practice Based Learning and Improvement Criteria D: Documents required CME with NCCPA to maintain certification.

6. Systems-Based Practice Criteria A: Acts as patient advocate Systems-Based Practice Criteria B: Recognizes the value of technology to increase safety, efficiency and effectiveness of patient care and applies appropriately. Systems-Based Practice Criteria C: Responds appropriately and in a timely manner as back up to the PA Surgical Resident. Systems-Based Practice Criteria D: Promates patient safety; reports adverse events

7. Performs other duties as assigned.

8. Fulfills all compliance responsibilities related to the position.

Education Skills Experience

BACHELOR'S LVL DGRE

Other Information

Required: Baccalaureate degree. Graduate of an approved PA program and a post-graduate training program in surgery or have equivalent work experience. Knowledge of surgical critical care preferred.

Minimum Experience: zero to six months

Desired: Current Certification by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA), PA licensure by the State of Connecticut, CT Controlled Substance and DEA registration, ACLS & BLS certification required. Must maintain 100 CME's over two years.

Working Conditions

• Manual: significant manual skills/motor coord & finger dexterity
• Occupational: Some occupational risk

Physical Effort: Very Heavy effort. May exert up to 50 lbs. force

• Physical Environment: Significant exposure to dirt, odors, noise, human waste, etc.
• Credentials: ACLS, BLS, DEA, PA
• Company: Nuvance Health Med Practice CT
• Org Unit: 649
• Department: NW Surgical PA
• Exempt: Yes
• Salary Range: $0.00 - $1000.00 Hourly