Physician Assistant, Neurosurgery Clinic

NorthBay Healthcare Corporation • Fairfield, CA

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

At NorthBay Health, the Physician Assistant (PA) in Neurological Surgery is responsible for assessing selected patients within the designated service line. The PA performs history and physical examinations, confers with patients in person and by phone/electronically, collaborates with others in the department to ensure a smooth pathway of patient care consistent with established quality indicators, and participates in the overall coordination of patient care both inpatient and outpatient. The PA reports to the Practice Manager and Director for the Center for Neuroscience. The practice involves a rotating 4-day, 10-hour shift schedule (7 AM – 5 PM daily) with a mix of critical care, inpatient, outpatient, and surgical responsibilities across various units including ICU, OR, step-down, med/surg, and the surgi-center. The role includes outpatient clinic duties such as independent pre-op, post-op, and hospital follow-up clinics, as well as tandem clinics with a Neurosurgeon. The PA will also provide first assist in the OR. The NorthBay Neurosurgical Team is a busy and growing practice focusing on 80% Spine and 20% Cranial procedures, serving a Level 2 Trauma Center with complex spine and general neurosurgery cases, excluding endovascular procedures.

Requirements

• Graduate of an accredited Physician Assistant program approved by the National Commission of Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA).
• Current Physician Assistant licensure by the State of California Physician Assistant Examining Committee and Board Certified.
• AHA or equivalent CPR required.
• Maintains a current DEA license for schedule II drugs.
• Experience as a Surgical Physician Assistant practicing in a related field, or completion of internship in the Neurosciences at NorthBay.
• Demonstrates ability to evaluate patient’s physical and emotional status.
• Demonstrates ability to provide patient care based on age-related needs.
• Demonstrates current knowledge and skill in providing appropriate care for patients in the following age groups: adult, adolescent, pediatric and geriatric.
• Ability to use computer, MS Word, Outlook, telephone.
• Adherence to established policies and procedures and exhibiting the defined characteristics associated with attendance and punctuality.

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of Cerner preferred.

Responsibilities

• Performs history and physical examinations, formulation of care plans, ordering and interpreting laboratory and diagnostic tests, and provides education to patients and their families.
• Assists with surgical cases, consults, and admissions, and with provider rounds (writing notes, orders, wound care, etc.).
• Writes discharge orders and dictates discharge notes in a timely fashion.
• Formulates a diagnosis and treatment plan as appropriate for patient needs.
• Orders ancillary services as appropriate to meet patient needs.
• Reviews all patient diagnostic test results and follows up on abnormal test results.
• Reviews diagnostic test results with patients.
• Documents clinical encounters clearly, precisely, and in a timely manner.
• Requests specialty consultation as approved by the supervising physician.
• Provides patient education as appropriate.
• Provides treatments and procedures as appropriate.
• Assists in the surgical/clinical management of the patient and works closely with members of the clinic to ensure that the patient is receiving appropriate services.
• Counsels and educates patients as needed to support compliance with the outlined treatment plan.
• Notifies and consults supervising physician when a referral or transfer of patient care is required for urgent or emergent care.
• Identifies high-risk problems and transfers care to appropriate physician.
• Collaborates and communicates with appropriate physicians on patient care issues.
• Collaborates with other members of the health care team as needed.
• Seeks consultation from physician on any cases that he/she may feel exceeds his/her ability to manage, when the PA is in doubt of the diagnosis, when a patient fails to respond to treatment, or when the patient expresses a desire to see the physician.
• Participates in team conferences to review the status of patient care.
• Participates in data collection and outcome measurement to ensure quality care is being provided both inpatient and outpatient.
• Works collaboratively with team members to ensure appropriate and efficient flow of patients through clinic appointments.
• Completes and submits coded fee tickets for each patient encounter.
• Promotes excellent customer service.
• Provides triage for referrals as assigned and engages key stakeholders for multidisciplinary care pathways.
• Facilitates patient pathway within the inpatient and outpatient setting with the Neurosurgeon when needed.
• Facilitates multidisciplinary peer reviews.
• Works with managed care team on payer relations.
• Facilitates timely communication with family and patients.
• Assists with surgical procedures both in and out of the operating room.
• Works in a collaborative relationship with other health professionals to determine the needs of patients and families.
• Demonstrates and role models an interdisciplinary collaborative approach to patient care.
• Ensures quality and compliance with HIPAA and billing regulations.
• Adheres to all institutional and departmental policies and procedures.
• Actively participates in problem-solving and resolving patient-related issues.
• Demonstrates responsibility and accountability for own professional practice.
• Participates in unit and departmental Performance Improvement activities.
• Serves as a spokesperson for the Center for Neuroscience within the local community.
• Provides outreach within the community through participating in local events and performing speaking engagements.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Rotating 4 day, 10 hour shift schedule
• No nights, no weekends, no call
• Mix of critical care, inpatient, outpatient and surgical responsibilities
• Units to include ICU, OR, step-down, med/surg, surgi-center
• Outpatient clinic, (Independent pre-op, post-op and hospital f/u clinic; tandem clinics with Neurosurgeon)
• OR first assist
• Level 2 Trauma Center
• Complex Spine, General Neurosurgery, No Endovascular

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree