Pre-Op Physician Assistant - Orthopedic Surgery

Pre-Op Physician Assistant role within the Orthopedic Surgery Department responsible for pre-op evaluations and surgical clearances.

POSITION SUMMARY:

Under the general supervision of the Chief Physician Assistant, Attending physician and Operations Director, the Physician Assistant is responsible for providing varied medical services, which may include: Pre-operative patient evaluations and surgical clearance, counseling patients and families, ordering and interpreting laboratory tests and diagnostic studies, prescribing and/or dispensing medication, initial and follow-up evaluation of orthopedic related complaints including formulating a diagnosis and treatment plan, assisting in surgery or other invasive procedures, rounding on admitted patients. Additionally, the Physician Assistant may be involved in a patient's medical care in any capacity the attending physician deems proper and consistent with applicable law, hospital regulations, delineation of privileges, and the Physician Assistant's training, knowledge, skills, and experience.

Position: Pre-Op Physician Assistant

Department: Orthopedic Surgery

Schedule: Full Time

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES / DUTIES:

• Provides direct care, counseling and teaching to a designated patient population in the ambulatory, inpatient, operative and/or procedure setting.

• Perform comprehensive and problem focused history and physical examination, interpret and correlate laboratory and diagnostic procedures. Interpret and correlate subjective and objective data to formulate a differential diagnosis and establish a working diagnosis. Formulate a management plan for orthopedic problems within scope of practice. Implement therapeutic intervention for specific conditions when appropriate. Exercise judgment on problems requiring consultation, referral, or evaluation by the supervising orthopedic surgeon or other health care professionals

• Order, collect, and perform appropriate laboratory or diagnostic procedures, and studies including but not limited to blood and tissue specimens. Ordering or performing diagnostic studies such as but not limited to EMG, electrocardiogram, compartment pressure measurements, and diagnostics including special x-rays, CT, MRI, and bone scans etc.

• Perform diagnostic and therapeutic procedures including but not limited to joint and bursa aspirations, closed reduction of fractures and dislocations, injections of joints, tendons, trigger points and bursa, as well as bracing, and cast and splint applications.

• Presents and discusses the findings of the initial evaluation with the Attending Physician to determine the treatment plan. Documents the treatment plan and writes appropriate orders and referrals.

• Oversees the entire clinical experience to assure coordination and consolidation of patient care plans and execution of those plans to tie the service together. Facilitates communication with other departments to ensure the delivery of excellent, cost effective, and efficient patient care.

• Under the countersignature of the attending physician, is responsible for producing preoperative and postoperative orders, as authorized by applicable law and department protocol.

• Writes orders on patients admitted to the hospital including medication, labs, diagnostic and therapeutic tests, and nursing activities. May be authorized to write appropriate prescription orders, including those for narcotics, stimulants, and depressant drugs, investigational medications and pre and postoperative orders as necessary.

• Makes rounds to evaluate patients and writes progress reports.

• Educates patients and/or families about preventive care, medical issues, and use of prescribed medical treatments, injections, procedures and/or medications.

• Records and maintains legible, accurate and confidential patient medical records including initial evaluation, subsequent follow-up, unusual incidents or events, and patient progress to provide complete and up-to-date information for ongoing reference and evaluation.

• Provides pre-operative services including Pre-op H&P and SAFE protocol clearances.

• Participates in hospital level activities representing the department.

• Facilitates transitions of care from inpatient to outpatient setting, including performance of medication reconciliation, arrangement of appropriate and timely follow up, and completion of an accurate and concise discharge summary.

• Facilitates direct admission process as needed.

• Provides faculty support by monitoring all incoming patient requests including: phone calls, MyChart messages and any patient care related paperwork or correspondences.

• May assist in surgery to include but not limited to first assist, deep and superficial tissue closures, application of appliances and any other action delegated by the surgeon. Conduct hospital, rounds, write orders, and respond to patient related calls for the orthopedic surgeon. Evaluate and clarify clinical conditions, formulate and implement a treatment or therapeutic plan for hospitalized patients, construct H&Ps and discharge summaries. Provides general Wound Vac set-up, placement, and monitoring. Supports in clinic casting-splinting as needed.

• In addition to providing direct clinical support to our surgeons, holds independent clinical sessions as needed.

• Ensures treatment and consultations consistent with NCQA (National Committee for Quality Assurance), TJC (The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations), and federal and state regulatory standards.

• Engages in inpatient orthopedic care including but not limited to patient discharge planning, patient rounding/monitoring and bedside procedures.

• Works closely with the social work - case management partners to develop discharge strategies to support post-surgical home care.

• Attends scheduled weekly staff meetings, monthly departmental grand rounds and department daily huddles.

• Assist with research projects and their implementation as needed

• Order, prescribe, dispense, and administer Medication, orthosis, orthotics, braces and other orthopedic devices (durable medical equipments) as may be allowed by state legislation.

• Ensures professional growth and development through participation in educational programs and workshops and maintaining knowledge of industry standards and practices.

• Maintains patients’ confidentiality.

• Conforms to hospital standards of performance and conduct, including those pertaining to patient rights, so that the best possible customer service and patient care may be provided.

• Adheres to all of BMC’s RESPECT behavioral standards and utilizes hospital’s cultural beliefs as the basis for decision making and to support the hospital’s mission and goals.

• Follows established hospital infection control and safety procedures.

• Performs other duties pertaining to patient care and practice operations as required.

(The above statements in this job description are intended to depict the general nature and level of work assigned to the employee(s) in this job. The above is not intended to represent an exhaustive list of accountable duties and responsibilities required).

EDUCATION:

Qualified Physician Assistants will hold at least a Master’s degree and must be a graduate of a PA Program accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARC-PA) or its predecessor.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS REQUIRED

In order to apply for the position, the PA must be National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistant (NCCPA) PANCE eligible and eligible for PA licensure in the State of Massachusetts. Documentation of Massachusetts PA license and initial NCCPA certification are required upon hire. Massachusetts Controlled Substances Registration and federal DEA Controlled Substance Registration are required.

EXPERIENCE:

Prior experience in similar clinical setting/specialty is preferred, but not mandatory.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

• Successful candidates will be self-directed, demonstrate initiative and professionalism, and exercise expert clinical judgment to function independently in this role.

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills in English are required in order to communicate complex medical information to collaborators such as patients and their families, physicians, staff, and community health workers.

• Physician assistants who have exceptional problem solving and conflict resolution skills are preferred. Individuals with an interest and/or expertise caring for diverse populations of patients with varying levels of health literacy are encouraged to apply for this position.

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