Physician Assistant / Interventional Radiology

UT MD Anderson Cancer Center•Houston, TX

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Physician Assistant will join the Interventional Radiology department at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, supporting inpatient and outpatient care at the Texas Medical Center. Under physician supervision, the role delivers diagnostic and therapeutic care throughout the procedural continuum, including patient assessment, procedure preparation, clinical management, education, follow-up, and procedural support. The position works with faculty, physicians, primary teams, and other healthcare professionals to provide patient-centered care in interventional radiology. The role includes pre-procedure assessments, sedation assessment, ordering and interpreting tests and imaging, medication management, and pre-, intra-, and post-procedure care. It also involves patient and family education, informed consent, post-procedure monitoring, inpatient rounds, outpatient discharge assessment, follow-up coordination, and participation in procedures and minor procedures when authorized. The position requires safe practice using sterile technique and radiology lead protection, while following radiation safety limits and institutional policies. The typical schedule is Monday through Friday, with eight-hour shifts scheduled between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m.; Saturday rotation is required. The work location is the Texas Medical Center in the Interventional Radiology Department, with coverage of inpatient and outpatient services. Applicants must have a master's degree from an accredited PA program, with the stated exception for PAs who graduated before 2013, and must hold the specified certification and licenses. Clinical privileges must be obtained and maintained. Additional requirements include relevant life-support certifications and, potentially, eligibility for limited prescriptive authority in Texas. MD Anderson describes this as an opportunity to contribute to its cancer care, research, prevention, and education mission, with patient interaction across the care continuum, exposure to advanced procedures, multidisciplinary collaboration, and professional development. The position may require routine reviews and screening related to the security and integrity of critical infrastructure; meeting and maintaining applicable requirements is a condition of hire and continued employment.

Requirements

Master's degree from an accredited Physician Assistant program accredited by ARC-PA, except for Physician Assistants who graduated from a PA program before 2013.
Physician Assistant certification by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA).
Texas Physician Assistant license from the Texas State Board of Physician Assistant Examiners, required upon hire.
Basic Life Support (BLS) certification from the American Heart Association, required upon hire.
Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification from the American Heart Association, required upon hire.
Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification from the American Heart Association, if working in the specified Pediatrics - Patient Care department.
May be required to be eligible for limited prescriptive authority from the State of Texas.
Must obtain and maintain relevant clinical privileges; continued employment is contingent on maintaining those privileges.
Ability to provide diagnostic and therapeutic patient care under physician supervision; assess patients and manage care; educate patients and families; collaborate with multidisciplinary teams; maintain documentation and compliance standards; support interventional radiology procedures; apply sterile technique; use radiology lead protection; work within radiation safety limits; and participate in Saturday rotations.
Ability to satisfy and maintain any requirements necessary to ensure the security and integrity of critical infrastructure, if applicable.

Nice To Haves

Demonstrated knowledge of interventional radiology procedures.
Experience with patient management across inpatient and outpatient settings.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
Commitment to continuous learning and professional development.
Experience supporting procedural patient care across the care continuum.
Experience supporting interventional radiology, procedural services, acute care, or specialty care environments.

Responsibilities

Complete histories, physicals, and interventional radiology-specific pre-procedure assessments.
Perform sedation assessments, including ASA scoring, airway classification, and ECOG scoring; manage medications and make medical referrals according to policy.
Order and interpret laboratory tests, diagnostic studies, and imaging.
Prescribe medications and determine pre-, intra-, and post-procedure medical management within scope of practice.
Develop and carry out management plans for laboratory, transfusion, contrast, anticoagulation, antiplatelet, and post-procedure pain issues.
Assess and manage peri-procedural hypertension, hypotension, fluid and electrolyte imbalances, and diabetes-related concerns.
Collaborate with physicians and primary teams on peri-procedural management plans; triage cases and communicate clearly in writing and verbally.
Maintain compliance with evaluation and management billing regulations and documentation requirements.
Educate patients and families about procedures, risks, benefits, alternatives, expected outcomes, preparation, recovery, and follow-up care.
Participate in the informed consent process in accordance with institutional policy.
Manage post-procedure inpatient and outpatient care, assessing for complications and sedation-related events.
Evaluate outpatient discharge readiness and extended-recovery patients as required.
Perform inpatient rounds, including pre-procedure evaluations, catheter assessments, complication management, and patient education.
Coordinate subsequent procedures, repeat imaging, laboratory studies, and follow-up schedules.
Conduct video, telephone, and in-person evaluations to identify complications and document adverse events.
Support development of patient education materials and promote patient satisfaction through effective communication.
Apply knowledge of interventional radiology workflows, procedure indications and techniques, risks, required work-up, and follow-up expectations.
Participate in catheter suturing, dressing placement, chest tube removal, and catheter flushing and triage as appropriate.
Assist faculty during interventional radiology procedures as assigned and perform minor procedures under physician supervision when authorized.
Use catheters, guidewires, syringes, and needles to support biopsies, drainage procedures, angiograms, vascular interventions, and other appropriate procedures.
Apply sterile technique during patient preparation and procedural activities; wear radiology lead protection in procedure rooms and comply with radiation exposure limits and regulations.
Deliver timely, efficient, equitable, patient-centered care; counsel patients and families regarding disease, treatment, prevention, and health maintenance.
Participate in continuous learning, quality improvement, and evidence-based practice initiatives.
Build collaborative professional relationships, demonstrate ethical practice and accountability, and support safe, cost-effective, high-quality care.
Respond to service requests promptly and professionally and support a respectful, safe, efficient, and innovative care environment.
Participate in required Saturday rotation schedules.

Benefits

Employer-paid medical coverage starting on day one for employees working 30 or more hours per week.
Optional group dental, vision, life, AD&D, and disability insurance.
Accrual of paid time off (PTO) and an Extended Illness Bank.
Paid holidays, wellness, childcare, and other leave options.
Tuition Assistance Program after six months of service.
Access to wellness, fitness, and employee resource groups.
Defined-benefit pension through the Teachers Retirement System.
Voluntary retirement plans.
Employer-paid life and reduced salary protection programs.
Educational opportunities and individual and team recognition.