Cardiothoracic PA, Bridgeport Hospital

Yale New Haven Health•Bridgeport, CT

12h

About The Position

The Cardiothoracic PA at Bridgeport Hospital provides clinical care as an integral member of an interdisciplinary team, working with attending and supervising or collaborating physicians in accordance with state law, hospital regulations, policies, protocols, and clinical pathways. The role includes assessment, triage, and therapeutic management of patients throughout the disease process in inpatient, ambulatory, or outpatient settings. The position assists cardiothoracic surgeons in the operating room, including first assisting in CABG, valve, and thoracic procedures. It also includes pre- and post-operative patient management, bedside procedures such as chest tube insertion, line placement, and wound management, and patient and family education and psychosocial support. The PA obtains histories, performs physical examinations, reviews and orders tests, interprets diagnostic and radiologic results, develops and manages treatment plans, and may perform procedures and prescribe treatment and medications within applicable guidelines and professional scope. The PA is responsible for accurate documentation and protection of patient information, compliance with healthcare requirements, and high standards of professionalism, ethics, compassion, and patient care. The role also supports professional development, clinical education and orientation, safety reporting, and may contribute to research, quality improvement, protocol development, and mentoring. Previous cardiothoracic surgery experience is described in the overview as required; the qualifications section states that specialty experience is preferred but not required.

Requirements

Graduate from an accredited Physician Assistant program (or an accredited Nurse Practitioner program, as applicable).
Active PA certification from the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA), or applicable NP credentials and certification.
Connecticut State Physician Assistant License, or applicable Connecticut nursing and nurse practitioner licenses and board specialty certification.
ACLS/BLS certification when indicated for the position profile.
Evidence of current competence to practice, supported by appropriate reference letters for the Medical Staff appointment process.
Previous cardiothoracic surgery experience is stated as required in the overview; the qualifications section says clinical NP/PA experience in the specialty/service line is preferred but not required.
Additional licensure, certifications, or continuing education may be required based on employment and specialty area.

Nice To Haves

Clinical working experience as an NP/PA within the relevant specialty or service line is preferred in the qualifications section.
DEA license when indicated for a pediatric position profile.
PALS when indicated for neonatal care.
NRP certification.

Responsibilities

Assist cardiothoracic surgeons in the operating room, including first assisting in CABG, valve, and thoracic procedures.
Provide pre- and post-operative patient management, including rounds, progress notes, and discharge planning.
Perform bedside procedures such as chest tube insertion, line placement, and wound management as needed.
Assess, triage, and therapeutically manage patient and family needs throughout the disease process.
Obtain medical histories, perform physical examinations, and review or order diagnostic and therapeutic tests and radiologic studies.
Formulate and manage patient treatment plans; perform procedures and prescribe treatment and medications within institutional and state guidelines and professional scope.
Educate patients and families about care, resources, treatment plans, potential side effects, admitting instructions, and discharge plans.
Provide psychosocial support to patients, families, and significant others as part of a multidisciplinary team.
Maintain appropriate documentation and protect patient information from unauthorized access, modification, destruction, or disclosure.
Comply with patient-related healthcare regulatory requirements, standards, and recommendations.
Maintain professional competency and employee requirements; demonstrate ethical, compassionate, and professional conduct.
Serve as a clinical resource for new house staff and provide service-specific orientation when appropriate.
Report safety events and near misses.
May precept NP/PA students and other healthcare professionals, mentor pre-PA/NP candidates, and contribute to research, quality assurance, performance improvement, and clinical protocols.
Respond to emergency situations within YNHHS parameters as appropriate to the role.