Colorectal Surgery-Physician Assistant

Physician Assistant

The Physician Assistant is a licensed professional provider who functions in collaboration with an attending physician in a variety of practice settings at WMCHealth. Provides exceptional direct diagnostic and therapeutic patient care to the highest standards of the organization as part of a multidisciplinary team. Cultivates a patient-centric environment that focuses on the whole individual inclusive of physical, psychosocial, spiritual, and functional needs of the patient, family, and significant others. Serves as the focal professional for the continuity of care in patient care within scope of practice standards, as well as specialty-specific standards to address and resolve problems that may arise.

Job Description

• The Physician Assistant (PA) provides assessment, triage, and therapeutic management of patient/family needs throughout the disease process as an integral part of an interdisciplinary team.
• The PA provides optimal patient care, from diagnostic to prognostic matters, in inpatient, ambulatory, or outpatient settings.
• Works in collaboration with the attending supervising/collaborating physician(s) in accordance with state law and hospital regulations, hospital policy, protocols, and clinical pathways and may provide autonomous team-based care.
• Obtains medical histories, performs physical examinations, reviews/orders diagnostic/therapeutic tests and radiologic results, formulates and manages patient treatment plans.
• May perform procedures, prescribe treatment and medications in accordance with institutional and state guidelines, as well as when necessary for scope within specialty or professional competency standards.
• In some clinical specialties, the PA may have autonomous or independent practice managing certain patient populations.
• Educates patients/families on care and recommended or available resources.
• Provides psychosocial support to patients, their family members, and significant others in a caring, ethical, and professional manner.
• Ensures appropriate documentation within the accordance of hospital and regulatory requirements and protects information of all forms from unauthorized access modification, destruction, or intentional or accidental disclosure.
• Demonstrates a high standard of moral and ethical behavior, professionalism, compassion, and commitment to patient care.
• Ensures compliance with patient-related healthcare regulatory requirements, standards, and recommendations.
• Continuously engages in projects that maintain and advance professional competency.
• Serves as a clinical resource for new house staff and may provide service-specific orientation pertinent to clinical education.
• Consistently demonstrates high reliability organizational behaviors through reporting safety events as well as near misses.
• May serve as a clinical preceptor for PA students and other health care professionals and may serve as a mentor to pre-PA candidates.
• May collaborate on research, quality assurance projects, and assist with the formation of protocols that will be applied to clinical practice or further their educational and clinical expertise.

Requirements

• Clinical working experience as a PA within the given specialty/service line preferred, but none required.
• Graduate from an accredited Physician Assistant Program.
• New York State Physician Assistant License.
• ACLS/BLS Certified, when indicated for position profile.
• DEA License, when indicated for position profile.
• PALS, when indicated for pediatric care.
• NRP Certification, when indicated for neonatal care.

Special Requirements

Responsible, in collaboration with the attending physician, for medical management of the patient. NP/PA are licensed health professionals and accountable for their practice within their scope of licensures, as well as within scope of the collaborative practice arrangements. Accountable to patients, families, peers, colleagues for clinical practice that upholds the mission, philosophy, objectives, and policies of Patient Care Services and WMCHealth. Consistently demonstrates the values of integrity, patient-centeredness, respect, accountability, and compassion.