Physician Assistant-QHC-13500-014

Under supervision of a licensed physician, performs duties of a Physician Assistant including evaluation and treatment of patients having medical and/or surgical problems. Teaches staff and students and performs quality assurance functions for the department. Primary clinical role will frontline management of patients under the surgical service, including those under Urology, ENT and Orthopedic. This will include inpatients and consultations as needed. Some first assisting in OR may be required. The PA will serve as liaison between nursing staff, surgeons and administration on all subspecialty issues. Full-time work week is forty hours however, the PA may be required to work in excess of schedules during staffing shortages. Compensation will be provided by time compensation or sessions at agreed upon pay schedule per the union contract. Scheduled hours will be predominantly nights and weekends. This is an 1199 position so a differential will be provided based on the union contract. This position will report to the Surgery Chief PA and ultimately to the Director, Department of Surgery. 

1. Primary role will be inpatient / outpatient management of patients under the surgical service, including those under Urology, ENT and Orthopedics. PA will be the frontline provider managing inpatient care on off hours with attending backup provided. In addition, the PA will be expected to assist in providing consultations as needed. First assisting in the operating room may also be required.  Assisting with pre-operative and post-operative management including admission H&P and discharge orders / summary. Liaison with nursing and administration concerning all subspecialty patient issues.

2. Performs complete patient histories and physical examinations, performs routine and/or emergency procedures including but not limited to irrigation and suturing of wounds or incisions, drainage of abscesses, insertion of nasogastric tubes and intravenous lines, sampling of arterial blood, etc. Writes appropriately authorized prescriptions; may prescribe controlled substances under appropriate physician countersignature.

3. Initiates or participates in initial management and stabilization of patients in cardiopulmonary arrest or other medical or surgical emergencies.

4. Confers with Attending Physicians, Residents, Nursing Staff, etc., to ensure delivery of optimum quality of patient care. Confers regularly with staff in order to keep them apprised of clinical developments, patient concerns, etc. Participates in special projects as assigned. Prepares quality assurance/continuous quality improvement data for review.

5. Performs other duties pursuant to clinical responsibility: responsible for coordination of ongoing follow-up of patient care; provide assistance and back up for medical personnel. Makes appropriate entries in patient charts.

6. Remains informed of current trends in field by reviewing literature, data. Teaches students, staff, residents, nurses and other personnel as required. Responsible for monitoring completion of CME by department physician.         

-Job requires completion of NYS-approved program for training of physician or specialist associates to acquire knowledge of anatomy, physiology and clinical patient care, usually via accredited Bachelor of Science program or degree in closely related field. Certain education/training may be accepted by NYS in lieu of these requirements (nurse, etc.). Special certification may be necessary for teaching duties/responsibilities.

-Ideal candidate should have some exposure to the management of inpatient / outpatient in the Urology, Orthopedics and ENT disciplines. In addition, experience as a Physician Assistant preferably in a large- scale healthcare organization, demonstrating knowledge and ability that is of the highest professional quality. Surgical experience would be preferred but is not necessary. 

-Registration required with New York State as Physician Assistant or Specialist Associate. 

-Certification with National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (or equivalent organization) mandatory.

-Certification may be required with American Heart Association, etc. in some areas as provider of Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)/Basic Life Support (BLS).

-Very high level of analytical ability required to effectively diagnose and treat medical/surgical problems under the direction of physician; schedule/guide staff; provide teaching; and coordinate diverse clinical resources.

-Interacts with various internal hospital medical, administrative and professional staff in the course of supervisory duties.  High degree of responsibility required for daily contacts with patients and their families.

-Manual dexterity required for adept manipulation of surgical instruments and handling of medical equipment; physical strength necessary for lifting and proper handling/positioning of patients.