Physician Assistant (Orthopaedics Trauma)

GENERAL SUMMARY/ OVERVIEW STATEMENT:Under the supervision and direction of the Orthopaedic Department Executive Director, Physician Chief of the Trauma Service, APP Clinical Director, and service Sr. Administrative Manager, the Physician Assistant (PA) is responsible for the care of the Orthopaedic Trauma patient population in the outpatient setting.The PA will function at the highest level of licensure, optimizing advanced practice by conducting independent clinics, a minimum of 3 per week, which include new (increase patient access), established, surgical optimization, postop and urgent patient visits. The PA will support the trauma surgeons by providing ongoing care coordination and symptom management for their patients and assist the surgeons with high volume clinics.The PA will collaborate with all trauma providers to identify obstacles/challenges to daily practice and clinic flow and develop interventions for quality improvement.The PA will practice in accordance with the rules, regulations and standards of PA practice issued by the state and federal governing boards, including the American Academy of Physician Assistants (PAs) and the National Commission on Certification of PAs.PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:Provides direct care, counseling, and teaching to the Trauma patient population.Functions independently in own clinic.Assists all trauma surgeons with the management of their trauma patients and organization/workflow of clinics.Performs complete histories and physical examinations on new, established, preop, postop patients.Orders, interprets, and evaluates appropriate laboratory and diagnostic tests.Develops appropriate plans of care and follow-up based on the outcomes of diagnostic, laboratory and physical examination findings.Consults with supervising physician/other surgeons regarding abnormal findings outside of scope of practice.Prescribes medications and narcotics as necessary according to organizational and state/federal regulatory policies and procedures.Initiates consultations and referrals for patients.Obtains preoperative surgical consents; Confirms laterality and abides by all hospital consent guidelines.Performs preoperative preparation/education for patient and family, reinforcing the surgical plan presented by the attending physician.Orders necessary preoperative diagnostic tests (MRSA/MSSA, A1C, Vit D, EKG, angiogram), imaging, consultations, and procedures as indicated or requested by the attending physician to prevent delay with surgical procedure, which also includes obtaining medical clearance and instruction regarding medications/anticoagulation prior to surgery.Functions as first assist in the OR; completes all OR policies/procedures, documentation and safe handoff to the PACU.See patients in clinic for urgent issues (signs of infection, wound problems, worsening pain, impending pathologic fracture).Provides symptom management for orthopedic oncology patients.Manages high volume of patient calls, emails and completes all outpatient clinical forms (FMLA, insurance disability, hardship needs).Obtains prior authorizations for surgery, scans, medications, DME and other procedures as necessary.Consistently provides high quality and timely documentation of clinic visits, admission and progress notes, procedure notes, and e-mail/phone conversations.Contributes to patient presentation at morning rounds, weekly indications conference, and multi-disciplinary meetings as necessary.Identifies patients appropriate for division research studies and obtains consents.Practices cost effective medicine in an efficient manner, maximizing available resources.Discusses patient data with other physicians and professionals as appropriate in a multidisciplinary setting.Maintains communication with all inpatient staff (APPs, case management, OT/PT, consults) and all involved in the transition of patient care (skilled facility, VNA, PCP, referring physicians).Provides an environment for effective patient-family centric care.Demonstrates expert clinical judgment skills to function in an independent role.Additional duties and responsibilities as required by the department/division.SKILLS/ ABILITIES/ COMPETENCIES REQUIRED:Must be flexible and be able to work in a high stress, dynamic, acute clinical setting within an ever-changing organizational climate.Must be self-directive and demonstrate initiative in addressing the responsibilities of the position.Must demonstrate problem-solving and conflict resolution skills.Must excel in effective and positive communications with patients, families, staff nurses, case managers, surgeons, trainees, support staff, and many interdisciplinary providers.Must be energetic and quality driven to partner in the progress of the trauma service and be a productive member of a team dedicated to optimal safe patient care.Must be proficient with MGH computer systems as needed to independently perform daily tasks (Epic preferred).Holds self and colleagues accountable to learn, develop and achieve the best and highest quality results.Treats leadership and colleagues with respect.Must maintain the highest degree of professional judgment under the collaborating supervising physician and Director of Orthopaedic APPs.WORKING CONDITIONS:Fast paced, high volume trauma service working in collaboration with 5 surgeons, 1 Registered Nurse and Medical Assistants. The work requires some heavy lifting and/or transfer of patients from wheelchairs to exam tables, as well as exposure to potentially infective material. Work requires contact with needles and other sharp instruments, monitoring devices, complex wound care, and other state-of-the-art equipment. Prolonged standing can be expected. Walking to and from the patient care units can be expected.QUALIFICATIONS:The appropriate candidate will be a graduate of an accredited PA school with Board Certification through the NCCPA.Current Commonwealth of Massachusetts PA license.Must have or be eligible for and maintain a current DEA registration, Massachusetts Controlled Substance Registration (MCSR).Qualified in basic/advanced life support standards as established by the American Heart Association.

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