Chief Physician Assistant

Columbia University

396d

About The Position

The Chief Physician Assistant will oversee the management of pre- and post-operative patients within the Plastic Surgery Division. This role involves providing clinical care services, including assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and patient education, while collaborating closely with other clinicians to ensure comprehensive patient care.

Requirements

• Graduate of an ARC-PA accredited or New York State Education Department approved PA education program.
• 5 years of related experience as a Physician Assistant.
• NYS PA License required upon start date.
• NCCPA Board Certification required.
• BLS, ACLS, PALS certifications (if applicable) required.
• DEA Certification required.
• Ability to perform comprehensive history and physical examinations.
• Ability to manage and coordinate a patient caseload.
• Work within a collaborative agreement/protocols with a physician and healthcare team.
• Demonstrate leadership ability to manage patients and interact effectively with peers and physicians.

Responsibilities

• Assist division administrator with PA evaluations and goals for the next fiscal year.
• Maintain an updated spreadsheet of upcoming free flap surgeries to ensure a co-surgeon is available and assigned to each case.
• Assist the division in accommodating microsurgery procedures in the OR.
• Maintain open communication with OR staff to ensure all necessary trays and materials are available for scheduled cases.
• Write letters of medical necessity to support appeals for insurance denials.
• Complete FMLA and disability paperwork for all surgical patients.
• Assist administration staff with rescheduling patients when emergency surgeries disrupt clinic days.
• Communicate with the OR to add on urgent surgeries when necessary.
• Create educational content for patients, including preoperative and postoperative instruction packets.
• Assist with research studies conducted by the division chief.
• Bill as a first assist when operating offsite or when a qualified resident is unavailable.
• Assist the surgical coordinator with reviewing the OR schedule to maximize utilization.
• Assume duties of a medical assistant when short-staffed, including rooming patients and conducting patient intake.
• Create EPIC templates for documentation.
• Maintain updated portfolios of postoperative patient photos for consultations.
• Exhibit a positive attitude and encourage staff to deliver excellent patient care.
• Collaborate with administrative staff to improve marketing strategies for the division.
• Participate in developing policies and procedures to improve office efficiency.
• Act as a liaison between the division chief and the mid-level team.
• Encourage fellow mid-level providers to attend monthly journal club events.
• Attend monthly staff meetings and execute new policies or recommendations.
• Identify learning strengths and needs within the staff.
• Travel across campuses to operate as a first assistant with the division chief.
• Independently conduct patient visits under supervision, including new patient consults and follow-ups.
• Coordinate with other specialties for a multi-disciplinary approach to patient treatment.
• Take call and provide patients with direct contact information for assistance.
• Enter necessary outpatient and inpatient orders for labs and imaging.
• Participate in rounding of inpatients with the division chief.
• Interpret lab and imaging results and discuss them with patients.
• Review pre-operative labs and medical clearance for surgical patients.
• Conduct peer-to-peer discussions for insurance denials.
• Promptly send staff messages with CPT codes for upcoming procedures.
• Review charts and document all office visit notes and procedure notes.
• Perform office procedures independently, including aspiration and wound care.
• Provide appropriate follow-up for all postoperative patients.
• Educate patients and families to ensure effective participation in their care.
• Establish visiting nurse services for patients when necessary.
• Initiate wound vac therapy for patients when necessary.
• Respond to patient advice request messages in Epic.

Benefits

• Competitive salary range of $160,000-$180,000 based on qualifications and experience.
• Comprehensive health insurance coverage.
• Retirement savings plan options.
• Paid time off and holidays.
• Opportunities for professional development and continuing education.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Industry: Educational Services
• Education Level: No Education Listed