Physician Assistant, Ortho CCH

Cape Cod Healthcare•New Sharon, ME

About The Position

The Physician Assistant provides orthopedic care across emergency, inpatient, surgical, and outpatient settings. Responsibilities include evaluating orthopedic emergency patients, preparing patients for assessment and treatment by an attending orthopedic surgeon, assisting with elective and emergency surgeries, and supporting inpatient care and discharge processes. The PA orders and interprets laboratory and radiology results, develops care plans according to protocols, and manages inpatients in collaboration with physicians and the attending surgeon. The role coordinates orthopedic emergency admissions and pre- and post-operative medical management with Hospital Physician Service physicians, orthopedic surgeons, residents, and other surgical PAs and NPs. The PA maintains accurate clinical documentation and billing records, holds required certifications and medical staff privileges, and provides hospital call coverage as needed for the supervising physician. The PA works within the scope of the immediate physician supervisor and complies with applicable medical staff, human resource, and corporate compliance policies. The position also requires effective teamwork and communication, patient-focused service, sound independent judgment, and knowing when to seek assistance. The PA is expected to support service excellence and continuous improvement by identifying opportunities to improve working practices and contributing to CCHC’s Pillars of Excellence.

Requirements

Graduate of an accredited Physician Assistant training program.
Currently licensed as a Physician Assistant in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
US Department of Justice and Massachusetts Controlled Substance DEA registrations are required for prescribing practitioners.
Current BLS certification.
ACLS certification within 3 months of starting the position.
Able to work well under pressure, remain patient-focused, work independently, and recognize when and how to ask for help.
Communicate effectively and participate actively on the health care team.

Nice To Haves

Two years of orthopedic surgical experience, including first-assistant experience in the operating room, preferred.

Responsibilities

Perform history and physical examinations on orthopedic emergency patients upon their decision for admission.
Ensure adequate medical clearance for orthopedic pre-operative patients by ordering necessary consultations and testing.
Serve as surgical first assistant to an orthopedic surgeon during elective and emergency surgery.
Provide first-line orthopedic evaluation and treatment in the emergency room for patients already evaluated by an emergency room physician; prepare patients for attending orthopedic surgeon evaluation and treatment when appropriate.
Collaborate with orthopedic residents to avoid duplication of services.
Support orthopedic inpatients by responding to nurses’ calls, expediting discharges, and completing documentation as requested by an attending surgeon and as time allows.
Perform outpatient visits for new patients, routine follow-ups, and acute care.
Order and interpret laboratory and radiology results and formulate medical plans of care according to protocols.
Provide daily medical management of inpatients in collaboration with a physician.
Coordinate orthopedic emergency admissions and medical management of pre-operative and post-operative patients with Hospital Physician Service physicians.
Coordinate services with other surgical PAs and NPs to avoid duplication or omission of services.
Coordinate clinical services with the orthopedic surgeon and defer to the surgeon’s decisions about clinical priorities and assignments.
Maintain complete and accurate documentation of clinical work and complete billing encounter sheets on time.
Maintain necessary certifications and CCH medical staff privileges as an orthopedic PA.
Collaborate closely with the attending surgeon supervising the patient and work within that physician’s scope of practice.
Provide hospital call coverage as needed for the supervising physician.
Comply with CCH Medical Staff By-Laws and Rules and Regulations, Human Resource policies, and CCH Corporate compliance policies.
Provide service excellence to patients, family members, visitors, volunteers, and coworkers.
Identify process-improvement opportunities and present recommendations and solutions to management; participate in and promote CCHC Pillars of Excellence.