Physician Assistant, Surgery, Cardiac

Kaweah Health is a publicly owned, community healthcare organization that provides comprehensive health services to the greater Visalia area in central California. With more than 5,000 employees, Kaweah Health provides state-of-the-art medicine and high-quality preventive services in our acute care hospital, specialized health centers and clinics. Our eight-campus healthcare district has 613 beds and offers comprehensive health services across a broad continuum of care.   

It takes a special person to work for Kaweah Health. We serve a region where the needs are great, which makes the rewards even greater. Every day, we care for people facing unique challenges and in need of healing. Throughout it all, our focus is to make a difference, and we do — in the health of our patients, our loved ones, and our community.

Benefits Eligible

Full-Time Benefit Eligible

Work Shift

Day - 8 Hour or less Shift (United States of America)

Department

7423 Surgery-CardiacTo function as a member of the Cardiothoracic Surgical health team to deliver quality health care while working alongside and under the supervision of a physician for inpatient, intraoperative, and outpatient care for patients being managed in this service.

Sign on bonus and Relocation Assistance Eligible

QUALIFICATIONS

License /Certification
Required:

Licensed CA Physician Assistant

Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) registration

BLS

ACLS

Graduate of a PA program accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (or approved predecessor agencies); or Certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants.

Preferred:

Clinical experience in Surgery-Cardiac or Cardiothoracic ICU setting.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities
Prior to hire, HR must receive clearance from KH Medical Staff office that the medical staff credentialing process is complete.
Bilingual preferred.


JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
Essential

Secures a complete health history, including but not limited to, obstetric, gynecologic, contraceptive, medical, surgical, family health and psychosocial aspects, and records findings accurately and succinctly.

Performs appropriate general examinations, diagnostic tests, and other types of more specialized procedures as may be indicated by patient history and complaints, according to protocol. Provides specialized and or advanced practice services within the scope of training.

Provides relevant patient instruction and education. This may include medication information, disease education, health promotion, care instructions, etc.

Follows up on all abnormal findings within a timely manner, responds to patient clinical needs, and refers to other providers as appropriate.

Charts all information with regard to the client's examination and plans for treatment within the electronic medical record. Chart review meets quality improvement standards. Completes timely chart documentation.

Consults with assigned supervising physician when necessary. Reviews complex cases with the supervising physician in accordance with appropriate protocols (e.g. NP protocols or PA service agreement) as indicated.

Pursues and completes ongoing, high-level continuing medical education activities. Shares new clinical practice updates or information with the APP team and clinical leadership.

Attends APP and clinical site meetings to keep current with organization communication and priorities. Participates and engages in organizational quality improvement initiatives. Provides feedback and input on clinical processes.

Coordinates clinic coverage with other providers. Provide backup coverage as needed.

Provides care delivery within a team-based, patient-centered approach. Engages the patient and their family in the decision-making process regarding their care. Utilizes care team members appropriately (e.g. pharmacy, care coordinators, dieticians, etc.).

Utilizes evidence-based practice guidelines and resources for clinical practice.

WHEN PERFORMING FIRST ASSIST DUTIES:

Assists on all cardiovascular surgical procedures as directed by the surgeon.

Functions as the first assistant at surgery in the general and obstetric surgical suites.

Assists the surgeon by providing intraoperative tissue retraction.

Assists with intraoperative hemostasis.

Assists with intraoperative tissue manipulation. Uses surgical instruments and suture material to manipulate tissue as directed by the surgeon.

Assists with intraoperative wound closure. Sutures tissue, using instruments and suture material as directed by the surgeon.

Preoperative- assists with: review of procedure prior to the case; opening and set up of the operating room suite; either preoperative counts or patient assessment as coordinated with the circulating RN; transfer of the patient to the OR bed; anesthesia induction if requested to do so by the circulating RN; and positioning the patient for the surgical procedure.

Interoperative- scrub in and assist in the draping of the patient; assist the surgeon within the parameters of standardized procedures; and assist in counts as needed.

Postoperative- assists with: the application of the patient's dressings; transfer from the OR bed; accompany the patient to the PACU if required; and clean up and turn over of the operating room.

Assists with specialty procedures including minimally invasive vein/arterial harvesting, closure of deep fascia layer, insertion of invasive monitoring lines and cardiac sternal wound closure.

WHEN ASSISTING WITH RN CIRCULATOR DUTIES:

Assesses basic patient needs, including recognition of abnormal diagnostic data, and potential problems related to the proposed surgical intervention and communicates appropriate information to the physician and other members of the surgical team.

Provides the ability to modify assessment criteria based on the age of the patient, psychosocial and physical needs.

Implements patient's plan of care by evaluating patient's response to care. Organizes and adjusts assignments according to patient's needs.

Facilitates patient transfer to appropriate postoperative unit, ensuring patient safety and communication with receiving patient care staff.

Demonstrates understanding in use of patient care equipment and instrumentation. Responsible for knowledge of emergency equipment and supplies, including the crash cart, airway management cart, and the malignant hypothermia cart. Timely written referral of any malfunctioning or defective equipment.

Assures that all medications are administered properly 100% of the time, including IV's as prescribed by physician; knows actions, indications, precautions, adverse reactions, dosage and route of administration on all drugs before administering to the patient.

Maintains clear communication and rapport with patient/family as appropriate for setting. Gives and documents emotional support and keeps patient/family informed of progress.

Assures that patient's personal hygiene needs are met, immediate environment is clean and safe.

Maintains a current and complete medical record. Coordinates admission, transfer and discharge of patient with appropriate personnel and documents observations, assessment treatments and outcome as necessary.

CARDIAC CATH LAB ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR:

Coordinates overall clinical program and ensures processes are in place to assure smooth operations and patient flow for the clinical activities of cardiology services specific to heart valve devices (TAVR).

Develops and implements required elements of an effective clinical program such as:

Develops methods to ensure prompt access to care.

Ensures processes are in place to provide coordinated patient flow across Physicians clinical sites.

Develops collaborative partnerships with inpatient and outpatient facilities implementing the heart valve

device.

Develops & implements clinical guidelines.

Aligns EMR to support care delivery.

Facilitates establishment of clinical trial protocols at all sites in partnership with the Valve Consortium.

Provides program and clinical input to marketing team to ensure web and related marketing tools are up to date.

Practice Development:

Develops & provides oversight of clinical program at affiliated hospitals.

Directs development of education materials.

Develops educational materials and training program for all patient care staff (inpatient and outpatient) who will participate in the clinical trial.

Helps develop valve program at affiliated hospitals that provide a referral base of patients.

Provides program and clinical input to quality assurance and quality check teams to ensure web and related marketing tools are up to date.

Demonstrates ability to provide care or service adjusting approaches to reflect developmental level of population served:

Communicates in a respectful manner.

Ensures a safe, secure environment.

Partners with patient/care-giver/management in care/decision making.

Individualizes care/service plan to meet patient/customer needs.

Modifies interventions/service based on population served.

Provides patient/employee education based on assessment of learning needs of learner.

Additional

Works collaboratively with all members of the care team and support staff. Acts as a clinical team leader for safety, training, and support of staff as indicated.

Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care and services appropriate to the population served on the assigned unit or work area. Knowledgeable of growth and development for all patient/family cultural, linguistic, spiritual, gender, and age specific needs. Able to effectively communicate and care for patient and family as reflected in the Plan for Provision of Care.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Pay Range

$72.90 -$109.36

If you want to use your talents alongside people who face each day with courage and purpose, in an environment that empowers you to do your absolute best, this is where you belong.