Physician Asst - Np-Night Pool

Accountabilities

• A. Assists the surgeon in the preoperative care and work-up of patients.
  • Performs and records History and Physical Examination.
  • Writes routine admission orders and arranges appropriate laboratory and x-ray studies and consultations as per protocol or after consultation with the supervisory/attending physician.
  • Confirms operating schedule and availability of blood and summarizes appropriate data prior to surgery.
  • Writes routine preoperative orders. All orders will be part of a pre-arranged cardiothoracic Surgery protocol or otherwise directed by attending/supervisory physicians.
  • Completes informative discussion with patient and family regarding the planned procedure and hospital course.
  • Obtains patient’s signature on consent form for procedures to be performed by the cardiothoracic surgeon or PA.
• B. Assists the surgeon in each surgical procedure.
  • Appropriate prep of patient in OR.
  • Insertion of monitoring catheters, intravenous lines, and foley catheters.
  • Harvest of saphenous vein and radial arteries for grafting.
  • Exposes femoral artery and vein for cannulation.
  • Performs opening and closure of sternotomy incision at the discretion of the surgeon.
  • Transfer of patient to CVICU.
  • Completes procedure note in patient’s chart.
  • Completes postoperative orders.
• C. Participates in postoperative care of patients being especially knowledgeable in the recognition of postoperative complications.
  • Informs the surgeon of all changes in the patient’s condition.
  • Affirms the patient’s postoperative course and transcribe/implement indicated therapy as determined by the cardiothoracic surgery protocol.
  • Communicates patient progress to appropriate consultants.
  • Collects data and writes pertinent progress notes on charts.
  • Communicates with nursing staff to gather information and discuss patient care.
  • Sums up details of patient’s hospitalization in discharge summary, including operative procedures and follow-up of complications.
  • Makes routine rounds as directed by the surgeon.
  • Communicates appropriate information to family members.
  • Provides patient with discharge instructions and follow-up appointment.
  • Responds to phone calls from discharged postoperative patients.
• D. Performs therapeutic procedures and assignments as directed by the surgeon and as indicated by his/her training and experience.
  • Wound care/debridement and dressings.
  • Venipuncture and percutaneous arterial catheterization.
  • Venous and arterial cutdowns.
  • Arterial punctures for arterial blood gas analysis.
  • Insertion, use, and removal of intravenous lines, central venous pressure lines and pulmonary artery catheters.
  • Nasogastric intubation.
  • Bladder catheterization – insertion and irrigation of Foley catheters.
  • Insertion, removal, and suctioning of chest tubes.
  • Management of volume-controlled ventilators.
  • Absorb IABP and the management and removal of IABP.
  • Thoracentesis.
  • Tube thoracostomies.
  • Cardiac resuscitation, defibrillation/cardioversion, and overdrive cardioversion.
  • Record 12-lead ECG and inspect for arrhythmias.
  • Management and removal of left atrial lines.
  • Removal of temporary epicardial pacing wires.
  • Adjustment and removal of surgical drains.
  • Suture/staple removal.
  • Emergency sternotomy.
  • Endotracheal intubation/extubation.
  • Operate Doppler measure equipment.
  • Available by pager and/or telephone at all times when on call.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in a physical science from an accredited institution.
• Must be a graduate of an accredited physician assistant program.
• Complete courses of training for both basic and advanced cardiac life support.
• Recent Board eligible graduate acceptable.
• Working knowledge of cardiac and thoracic surgical procedures and anatomy.
• Two years recent experience in cardiothoracic surgery.

Licenses, Registrations, and Certifications

• Must be certified or eligible by the NCCPA and Pennsylvania State Board of Medical Education and Licensure.