Physician Assistant

CORE JOB SUMMARY

The Physician Assistant assesses, plans, and provides patient care, under the supervision of a physician. An employee in this position also examines patients, performs comprehensive physical examinations, and compiles medical data, including patients’ health history and physical examination results.

CORE JOB FUNCTIONS

• Makes preliminary diagnosis or decides on follow-up procedures.

• Administers or orders diagnostic tests, such as x-rays, electrocardiograms, and blood work, and interprets test results.

• Performs minor procedures, such as immunizations, injections, suturing, and wound care.

• Develops and implements patient care plans, instructs and counsels patients, and maintains records of treatments and results.

• Provides general health education and assists with emergency treatment and complex procedures.

• Answers calls and participates in audits and inquiries related to billed services.

• Records concise, accurate, and legible documentation of medical data on patients’ charts.

• Reports and documents significant information and changes in patients’ conditions.

• Interprets laboratory and radiological findings as they relate to patients' clinical presentation and current treatments.

• Adheres to University and unit-level policies and procedures and safeguards University assets.

This list of duties and responsibilities is not intended to be all-inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties or responsibilities as necessary.

CORE QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Master’s degree in relevant field 

Certification and Licensing:

Certifications in relevant specialty or field 

Experience:

Minimum 1 year of relevant experience 

Knowledge, Skills and Attitudes:

• Skill in completing assignments accurately and with attention to detail.

• Ability to analyze, organize and prioritize work under pressure while meeting deadlines.

• Ability to process and handle confidential information with discretion.

• Ability to work evenings, nights, and weekends as necessary.

• Commitment to the University’s core values.

• Ability to work independently and/or in a collaborative environment.

DEPARTMENT ADDENDUM

Department Specific Functions

This position will work closely with the Neurosurgery Faculty, Residents, and nursing staff by assisting the physician in performing surgeries in the main OR and in ambulatory surgery, participating in daily rounds, providing patient care and discharges post-operatively, educating and counseling patients on both an inpatient and outpatient basis, provide support in a clinical setting during patient appointments, and facilitate patient surgical scheduling. The position will also provide research and draft correspondence relating to patient work status, disability, medical prognosis and prospective plans of treatment on both an inpatient and outpatient basis and review patient diagnostics and lab reports for sign off on patient surgical packets and in the clinical setting. 

Primary Functions

• Provides Advanced Practice support to the department of Neurological Surgery as applicable, at inpatient and outpatient clinic locations as assigned; Some outpatient clinic support; Working closely with Neurosurgeons, fellows, residents, clinic and office support staff.  

• Provides compassionate, quality and skilled patient care to Brain and Spine Neurosurgical patients.

• Collaborates with all members of the healthcare team in planning, triaging, implementing, monitoring and evaluating care deliver for the neurosurgical patient in a variety of settings.

• Performs comprehensive History, Physical, and Neurological exams including cranial and spinal assessments.

• Documents/records information by Dictating and/or inputting in electronic form.  

• Orders, obtains, and interprets laboratory and diagnostic studies.

• Prescribes medication and therapies within the APP functions.

• Provides communication and interpretation to inpatient and outpatient hospital nursing staff, and coordinates implementation of clinic, hospital, nursing service policies and program.

• Optimizes efficient patient hospital and or clinic flow by analyzing treatment and referral systems on an on-going basis, and implements quality improvements, as necessary.

• Monitors consistency and quality of patient outcomes for all neurosurgical specialties within the Uhealth hospital based clinics.

• Promotes and facilitates effective communications between the Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Miami Hospital (UMH), Jackson Memorial Hospital and other clinical departments. 

• Assists in the design, implementation and management of department clinical systems in order to optimize the treatment and disposition of patients with various neurosurgical disorders.

• Act as a resource and a point of contract for further problem solving for patients and rehab team who are in the beginning stages of the next level of care.

• The department of Neurosurgery maintains satellite clinics location across the health system which crosses multiple county lines. As a requirement of this position you may be required to cover clinics at any of these locations

Specialized/Professional Duties

• Demonstrates advanced knowledge and technical capabilities in the diagnosis, treatment and evaluation of persons with complex neurosurgical problems and acute or potential life-threatening health issues; including Pre and Post op management of Cranial and Multiple spine surgeries.

• Oversees nurses who conduct in-patient or outpatient care to assess patient progress and appropriateness of therapy using advance clinical physical assessment and decision making skills. Acts as a patient advocate and provides emotional and situational support for patients, their families and nursing staff.

• Assist nursing personnel in the assessment of patients by providing information, demonstrating technical skills, developing new approaches, and relating theoretical concepts to the practice setting.

• Provides clinical expertise in the development of interdisciplinary clinical pathways for neurosurgical patients with specific diagnosis.

• Performs cranial and spinal assessments, to include determining ASIA score assessment for potential prognosis and rehab potential.

• Utilizes clinical and critical assessment skills to determine medical changes in patients who have lost their natural ability of an autonomic nervous system response.

• Provides assistance with lumbar punctures, halo ves applications and management, and monitoring and troubleshooting technology such as lumbar drainage systems. 

• Utilizes keys clinical skills to act quickly and problem solve on acute changes in patient’s physical status and post-op management of neurosurgical approaches and surgeries

• Provides consistent compassionate, patient bedside manner, with neurosurgical skills and equal depth for educating patients and families.

• Assist to maintain a minimal length of stay low by incorporating all aspects of exceptional clinical care and practices.

• Provide emphasis on the social rehabilitative, emotional, physical and financial aspects or recoveFry.

• Utilizes clinical and critical assessment skills to determine medical and neurological changes in the neurologically compromised patient and act quickly to problem solve.

• Acts as a patient advocate and provides emotional and situational support for neurosurgical patients, their families and nursing staff. 

• Serves as an expert clinical resource for Departmental staff, UMHC/UMH nursing staff and other allied health care professionals. 

• Willing to Precept and help train, New Hires, Advanced Practice Nursing Students, and Medical Students in the Neurosurgical specialty.

• Provides specialized education, clarification, and counseling to patients, families and community groups in reference to pre- and post-operative treatment plan, minor medical problems, surgical considerations and preventative medicine.

• Assists in the development of patient education programs/materials for the Department of Neurological Surgery and UHealth Clinics to support their teaching and patient care functions.

Educator

• Develops, implements and evaluates patient education program and standards of care for neurosurgical patients.

• Provides education and clarifications to patients, families and community groups in reference to pre-and-post-operative treatment plan, minor medical problems, surgical considerations and preventative medicine.

• Provides community and regionally-based educational programs in the area of neuroscience to health care professionals and/or patients.

• Assists in the coordination and development of educational programs for the Department of Neurosurgery. Develops curricular plans, assists in the selection of speakers, and evaluates programs. Assists in the coordinating the required components to obtain CME and CEU professional educational credit.

Administrative (Professional Development and Leadership)

• Participates in health care decisions through departmental, hospital wide and/or community-based planning by establishing cooperative, collaborative relationships with Faculty, Residents and other disciplines and hospital departments.

• Participates in continuing education programs, Neurosurgical Grand Rounds, Multidisciplinary Rounds, and specialty conferences to keep abreast of current trends and issues affecting general nursing practice and the clinical specialty practice of Neurological Surgery.

• Assesses the effectiveness of ambulatory and or inpatient clinical management systems and assumes a leadership role in facilitating necessary changes.

• Assists in the development and implementation of the clinical systems and administrative nursing strategic planning for the Department of Neurological Surgery, and UHealth care sites in both the hospital and or clinical setting.

General Conduct 

• Displays an attitude that reflects the University and Department’s mission.

• Displays a positive approach toward co-workers, staff and faculty.

• Willing to step outside of perceived responsibilities. 

• Exhibits responsible behavior and self-control by:

• Limiting the negative impact on co-workers hen affected by personal situations/issues.

• Displaying a professional attitude during interactions with co-workers.

• Displaying a professional attitude during interaction with members of the management team.

• Limiting the number and duration of personal telephone calls during work hours.

• Adheres to UMMG/UMH and department Policies and Procedures 100% of the time.

• Displays and exhibits telephone etiquette skills and techniques. Answers the phone in a prompt and courteous manner, relaying messages accurately and timely.

• Varies work schedule or shift, in order to meet department needs. 

• Works together with all colleagues and staff in the spirit of “Team Work”.

Preferred: (Essential Requirements):

Equipment Use

• Standard office equipment: computer, fax, copier, printers, electronic eligibility on line programs (i.e., Uchart, Internet Web-Sites) and electronic clinical and hospital medical records, as applicable.

Physical Demands

Ability to:

• Maintain a high level of confidentiality with regard to patient information, adhering to HIPAA Rules and Regulations.

• Communicate effectively with Medical Directors, Neurosurgical Attendings, Nursing team, Insurance company representatives, University faculty, staff, patients and nurse case manager.

• Works well under pressure.

• Maintains a high degree of accuracy and prevents errors directly impacting clinic flow, and provider billing process, as well as patient satisfaction.

Department Specific Qualifications

Education:

• Current PA-C certification. 

• Certification as a Physician Assistant. 

Certification and Licensing:

• Current PA-C certification

• Certification as a Physician Assistant 

• DEA license 

• BLS certification