Physician Assistant - Gastroenterology/Hepatology

University of Iowa•Iowa City, IA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

This position assists faculty in providing direct patient care services for adult general Gastroenterology and performs direct patient care services under faculty supervision. The role involves managing outpatient clinics, including new patients and those with high-risk conditions for GI malignancy. The Physician Assistant will also be involved in the Diagnostic and Therapeutic Unit, preparing patients for procedures, educating them, obtaining informed consent, and monitoring adherence to dietary restrictions. Responsibilities include coordinating and following up on various GI procedures such as pH probes, endoscopies, colonoscopies, and breath hydrogen testing. The role also emphasizes establishing collaborative interactions, motivating others, and adhering to university policies and procedures.

Requirements

Must comply with registration and licensure requirements as specified by the Iowa Board of Physician Assistant Examiners which include graduation from an accredited PA educational program and/or certification by the NCCPA.
Excellent written and verbal communications skills are required.

Nice To Haves

Previous experience with gastroenterology is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

Prepare a complete, detailed and accurate initial patient history and perform a complete physical exam of selected patients in the outpatient clinic.
Present the history and physical exam to the GI faculty and participate in potential re-examination of the patient by the faculty.
Develop a diagnostic and therapeutic management plan under faculty supervision.
Order and follow up on laboratory tests, X-rays, GI procedures, and ultrasound procedures.
Coordinate and triage emergency add-on patients.
Develop and manage a “return” patient clinic for patients at high risk of developing GI malignancy.
Develop and carry out a plan for surveillance of patients with pre-malignant conditions of the digestive tract including Barrett’s metaplasia and colonic adenomas.
Perform an appropriate interval history and physical examination, facilitation of the surveillance procedure, follow-up and reporting of the results, arrangements for repeat examination at appropriate intervals and development of a patient registry and data base.
Participate in discussion and interpretation of study results and correspondence with housestaff and referring physicians as needed.
Accountable for patient education, the informed consent process, serve as a resource for patients’ questions/concerns, monitor patient adherence to dietary restrictions, and preparation of the patient for procedures.
Perform procedure consent and history and physicals (H&P) in the Digestive Health Procedure unit.
Maintain responsibility for handling all details including follow-up related to procedures such as: Twenty-four hour pH probe; endoscopy of the upper GI tract (including esophagus, stomach, and proximal duodenum with brushing, biopsy, culture and aspiration of fluid were needed); proctoscopy, rigid and flexible sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy; breath hydrogen testing for disaccharide intolerances; gastric emptying, gastrointestinal manometric and sensory testing; and other activities related to the patient’s gastrointestinal problems.
Establish and maintain standards of collaborative interaction among peers and employees that is characterized by respect, honesty, and service; assure that all unit members are held to similar standards and ethics.
Inspire and motivate others to high performance by exercising strong stewardship of University resources, setting expectations, measuring success through individual performance evaluations, and driving organizational results.
Identify opportunities for and create development plans that encourage employees to attend to the growth of their personal and professional capacity; engage self and staff in collective reflection of the University’s greater role in society.
Follow general policies and procedures in accordance with the regulations of The University of Iowa, College of Medicine, and the Department of Internal Medicine.
Perform other duties as assigned.