Surgery - Vascular Physician Assistant

Advanced Practice Professionals HVI, Vascular Surgery

Work Here. Thrive Here. The West Virginia University Health System, the state's largest health system and largest private employer, comprises 18 hospitals throughout the state and bordering states. In addition, it includes five institutes, as well as providing management services for other local hospitals through affiliate agreements. Whether you are caring for our patients at one of the critical access hospitals, community sites, regional or academic medical centers, we are all one WVU Health System.

Job Description

• The Advanced Practice Professional (APP) has coordination and clinical skills required for the comprehensive management of vascular surgery patients, including biological, social, and psychological assessments.
• The APP coordinates involvement of medical specialty teams necessary to develop a comprehensive plan for the patient and reviews the plan of care with the other members of the clinical team.
• Participates in directing that care, performs diagnostic/therapeutic procedures, and coordinates discharge planning (as applicable).
• Participates in the education of residents and medical/nursing students.
• Provides healthcare services consistent with state law and the requirements of the professional licensing or certification authority and/or hospital privileges, where applicable.

Requirements

• Minimum qualifications for Nurse Practitioner:

  • Graduate of a CCNE accredited nursing program with a Master’s Degree in Nursing.
  • National Certification by one of the recognized APRN Certification Centers.
  • Licensure or eligibility for licensure as a professional Registered Nurse and Advanced Practice Registered Nurse in West Virginia.
  • American Heart Association BLS Certification required with additional Advanced Life Support training at the discretion of the department.
  • Department Specific: APRNs are required to have RNFA certification.

• Minimum qualifications for Physician Assistant:

  • Bachelor’s Degree as a Medical/Surgical (as applicable) Physician Assistant required.
  • Graduate of an ARC-PA approved Physician Assistant (PA) training program required.
  • Certification by the National Commission for Certification of Physician Assistants required.
  • Must be licensed or eligible for licensure by the WV Board of Medicine or WV Board of Osteopathic Medicine.
  • American Heart Association BLS Certification required with additional Advanced Life Support training at the discretion of the department.

Core Duties and Responsibilities

• Manages comprehensive and individualized care for vascular surgery patients and their families in the inpatient phase of hospitalization, immediate post-discharge, and in the ambulatory setting.
• Completes daily rounds; consults and/or pre-procedure evaluations.
• Completes integrated assessments.
• Participates in the perioperative management of vascular surgery patients which may include but is not limited to first assist in the operative suite, as well as, with appropriate surgical training, participate in endoscopic and open technique of harvesting the saphenous vein and/or lesser saphenous vein and/or radial artery.
• Orders additional tests or consults as deemed appropriate with collaboration from vascular surgery faculty or by following established clinical guidelines and protocols.
• Performs and communicates results of diagnostic tests following established clinical guidelines and scope of practice.
• Consults and communicates with clinic and hospital staff regarding abnormal findings in the evaluations of patients.
• Develops a comprehensive individualized plan of care for vascular surgery patients, which includes teaching, discharge planning, and necessary referral to other members of the healthcare team as necessary.
• Demonstrates expertise in caring for patients across the age continuum of their educational experience and certification.
• Recognizes emergency situations and initiates effective emergency care.
• Documents the plan of care, interventions, and evaluations in a clear and concise manner for every patient visit in the patient’s medical record following approved hospital/UHA policies and compliance standards for documentation.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Heavy/Hard Work: Work requires strength and/or stamina, lifting, moving, stooping, reaching, positioning of patients, standing, walking, and carrying of patients, materials, and equipment weighing 40+ pounds.