Summary

The PA's duties and responsibilities will be at the direction of the Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery. The P.A. will be fully qualified and certified to function in both a clinical and administrative role and in accordance with the guidelines and policies of the facility. The individual is delegated the authority and responsibility to assume clinical - consultation - educational - research - and administrative duties and responsibilities related to the patients and staff of the Service.

Duties

• Duties include but are not limited to: Primary overall focus of practice is on the clinical management of health care to veterans assigned to the Thoracic Surgery service
• Facilitates care of Thoracic patients as well as their entry and exit from various health care systems by establishing and maintaining liaison with a variety of surgical/medical specialists and associated staff
• Ensures that all inpatient Thoracic Surgical consult requests are reviewed - examined - and completed within 24-48 hours
• The incumbent will have a primary duty for managing Thoracic Surgery Clinic patients for initial clinic evaluations and for continuity of care from their surgical procedure
• The incumbent will also have responsibilities for daily organization of surgical patients on the ward
• assists the Thoracic Attending/Resident and Charge Nurse in the daily management for incoming and exiting patients
• Obtains required imaging studies from outside facilities as needed and is the point of contact to Radiology Service regarding all absent imaging orders - incomplete/inaccurate imaging requests - and inappropriate requests
• Provides assistance in the coordination of community requests when Thoracic cases require outside community services
• Enhanced patient referral activities - such as bi-monthly communication with Pulmonary Medicine and Medical Oncology Services at the surrounding VISN 20 VA clinics and hospitals for expedited care of lung cancer patients
• Selection of weekly Multidisciplinary Thoracic Tumor Board and Nodule Committee Conference patients from Thoracic Surgery and assure timely follow-up on all recommendations for those patients presented
• Assist with clinical aspects of care to the patients of the sub-specialty departments assigned to the Thoracic Surgery Service
• This includes performing evaluations - consultations - and the writing of orders
• Perioperative/ Post operative management of thoracic patients in the ICU - acute care and outpatient setting and providing lung cancer surveillance management for post operative patients
• The mid-level provider has the authority to order all tests and procedures necessary to evaluate and care for Thoracic Surgery patients
• These evaluations and orders will fall within the guidelines of the VAMC
• Initiates and accepts referrals to clinics and/or community agencies
• Collaborates with other health care resources to insure timely and appropriate care of patients
• This provider is a primary point of contact to ensure compliance in referring Thoracic patients to Anesthesia Service for preoperative evaluations
• Ensures that all appropriate paperwork including History and Physical examination - Informed Consent - and Pre-Admission Screening forms are completed when referring patients to Anesthesia Service and resolves all pre-screening inquires
• This provider is a primary point of contact for transfer requests from VA and community facilities for inpatient admissions
• They coordinate compliance of transfer documents in receiving and transferring Thoracic patients
• Experience in the clinical care of oncology patients is preferred
• Assist in the Operating Room at the direction of the Chief of Thoracic Surgery
• Previous experience in video-assisted or robotic surgery is preferred
• Perform minor procedures - such as but not limited to tube thoracostomy - thoracentesis - wound vac management - within their realm of expertise and under the direction of the Chief of Thoracic Surgery and in accordance with the individuals Scope of Practice
• Trains medical and other ancillary students or residents assigned to the Cardiothoracic Surgery service Other clinical duties as assigned by the Chief of Surgery or Administrative Officer
• VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.