Lead Physician Assistant -Cardiac Surgery, Operating Room

Tufts Medicine•Boston, MA

3d•$141,440 - $176,800•Onsite

About The Position

Tufts Medical Center is seeking an experienced and highly motivated Physician Assistant to join our Cardiac Surgery team as an Operating Room-focused advanced practice provider. This is a unique opportunity to work alongside nationally recognized cardiac surgeons in a high-acuity academic medical center performing some of the most complex cardiac procedures in New England. This position functions as a surgical first assist within a high-acuity cardiac surgery program and participates in a wide range of cardiac surgical procedures, including coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), valve repair and replacement, aortic surgery, cardiac tumor resections, mechanical circulatory support procedures, and heart transplantation. Responsibilities may also include endoscopic and open conduit harvesting, including greater saphenous vein and radial artery procurement.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree.
Successful completion of a Physician’s Assistant program.
Physician’s Assistant Certification within one (1) year of hire.
Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification.
Five (5) year of Physician’s Assistant experience.
State and federal controlled substances registration.
Ability to care for critically ill adult and pediatric patients with a broad range of medical problems.
Effective Interpersonal skills needed for interacting with physicians, staff, patients and their families, and so forth.
Excellent analytical skills needed for evaluating patients and coordinating treatment plans.
Maturity, self-confidence, and ability to follow complex patient management plans as directed by the attending surgeon.
Ability to supervise and coordinate the activities of several physician assistants.
High level of verbal and written communication skills in order to develop and implement educational programs, evaluate staff, and treat patients.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree.
Two (2) years of Physician’s Assistant experience.
Bilingual.

Responsibilities

Functions as a surgical first assist within a high-acuity cardiac surgery program.
Participates in a wide range of cardiac surgical procedures, including coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), valve repair and replacement, aortic surgery, cardiac tumor resections, mechanical circulatory support procedures, and heart transplantation.
Performs endoscopic and open conduit harvesting, including greater saphenous vein and radial artery procurement.
Conducts comprehensive patient assessments.
Orders and interprets diagnostic tests.
Diagnoses and treats a variety of acute and chronic conditions, injuries, and illnesses.
Develops and implements treatment plans in collaboration with supervising physicians.
Prescribes medications and performs procedures.
Educates patients and families on treatment options, health maintenance, and preventive care.
Adjusts treatment plans as necessary.
Supervises employees focusing on tactical, operational activities within a specified area.
Sets day-to-day operational objectives for team.
Ensures policies, practices and procedures are understood and followed by direct reports, customers and stakeholders.
Arranges schedules and staffing during vacations.
Directs orientation programs.
Formulates in-service training programs and staff development.
Acts as a liaison between adult and pediatric patients and families and physicians.
Provides continuity of care for adult and pediatric patients.
Participates in committees and task forces as directed by the Division Chief.
Orients and trains new physician assistants.
Develops, refines and updates physician assistant job descriptions.
Develops behavioral objectives and performs initial evaluation of physician assistant students.
Prepares educational lectures on adult and pediatric topics for nursing and other ancillary personnel.
Reviews and updates division protocols for adult and pediatric patient care for approval by the Division Chief.
Directs and supervises assigned personnel including performance evaluations, scheduling, orientation, and training.
Makes recommendations on employee hires, transfers, promotions, salary changes, discipline, terminations, and similar actions.
Addresses grievances and other personnel problems within position responsibilities.
Provides effective direction, guidance, and leadership over the staff for effective teamwork and motivation.
Develops, recommends, and manages budgets for the areas managed.
Coordinates the assignment of tasks for the efficient utilization of available resources.
Maintains credentialing and licensure for Physician Assistant staff.
Oversees schedules and approvals for payroll reporting, dues and membership for Physician Assistant staff.
Obtains a detailed medical history and performs a comprehensive physical examination on adult and pediatric patients.
Performs preoperative preparation of adult and pediatric patients and reinforces information presented by the attending physician to the patient and/or family as necessary.
Coordinates necessary tests, consultations, and procedures as indicated or requested by the attending physician.
First or second assists on routine and complex adult and pediatric surgical procedures as necessary.
Positions and preps patients, performs operative assistance as requested, transcribes operative notes and postoperative orders in accordance with service protocols, accompanies patients to recovery room or intensive care units.
Performs bedside diagnostic and therapeutic invasive procedures on adult and pediatric patients as indicated or directed by the attending surgeon, including but not limited to thoracentesis, tube thoracostomy, central venous lines, Swan-Ganz catheter insertion, wound debridement, and endotracheal intubation.
Performs basic and advanced cardiac life support procedures as necessary and directs these efforts until the arrival of a senior physician.
Prepares adult and pediatric patients for discharge, including patient and family discharge teaching, continuing care and rehabilitation arrangements, writing discharge prescriptions, and confirming primary care or referring physician follow-up.
Prescribes pre and postoperative medications for adult and pediatric patients in accordance with service policies and/or attending physician’s instructions.
Executes a wide range of management plans for adult and pediatric patients under the direction of the attending surgeon.
Cares for adult and pediatric patients of the surgical services in the emergency department and outpatient clinics.
Dictates formal discharge summaries of adult and pediatric patients for the attending surgeon’s review and signature.
Participates in the education of students and residents assigned to the surgical services.
Maintains collaborative team relationships with peers and colleagues in order to effectively contribute to the working group’s achievement of goals, and to help foster a positive work environment.