GENERAL SUMMARY/ OVERVIEW STATEMENT:
The physician assistant (PA) is a licensed provider who has acquired a broad range of knowledge and skills through the successful completion of a physician assistant program. The PA is responsible for the assessment and management of various populations of patients, medical and/or surgical, including diagnostic and therapeutic interventions, development of appropriate plans of care and ongoing evaluation. The physician assistant works under the supervision of an attending physician and reports directly to the department administrator or chief physician assistant administratively.
The PA will perform in accordance with all state and federal regulations and institutional policies including but not limited to the BWH PA Scope of Practice, Prescriptive Guidelines, approved clinical privileges, and BWH PA policy.
PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Principle Clinical Duties and Responsibilities:
- Provides direct care, counseling, and teaching to a designated patient population in the ambulatory, inpatient, operative, and/or procedural setting
- Performs complete histories and physical examinations
- 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
- Orders medications and writes prescriptions according to organizational and regulatory policies and procedures
- Consistently provides high quality and timely documentation including admission and progress notes, procedure notes, operative notes and discharge summaries
- Performs bedside procedures as are appropriate to the patient population
- In some settings, the PA may first assist in the operating room or procedural areas
- 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
- Demonstrates expert clinical judgment skills to function in an independent role
- Additional duties and responsibilities as required by the department/division
Non-Clinical Duties and Responsibilities:
- Demonstrates professional collaborative and consultative relationships with other providers
- Follows all designated prescriptive practices and monitoring requirements with the designated supervising physician and administrative report
- Participates in departmental and organizational committees and programs as appropriate and attends all required meetings, in-services, and professional trainings
- Maintains superior interpersonal and communication skills as a member of the healthcare team in order to collaborate effectively with patients, families, staff, and community health workers
- Remains actively involved in continuing education with a commitment to self and departmental growth
- Adheres to all established safety policies, procedures, and precautions; identifies potential or actual unsafe situations in the environment and takes measures to rectify the situation
- Demonstrates understanding of procedures, policies, and documentation required to ensure compliance with hospital standards of care
- Additional duties and responsibilities as required by the department/division
ADDENDUM: Document any additional skills, abilities, criteria, requirements, and/or details pertinent to this role.
The PA will participate inpatient care as part of the inpatient team for the Department of Neurosurgery at South Shore Hospital. All patient responsibilities as outlined above are expected and may also include:
Rounding with the neurosurgical team (Attending physicians and PAs)
Performing inpatient and emergency room consultation and follow-up
Collecting clinical data for studies and performing procedures that may include, but are not limited to:
Staple/suture removal/placement
Wound care/packing
Lumbar drain placement/removal
Lumbar punctures
NGT placement
Central line placement
Arterial line placement
Spine braces/cervical collar placement and removal
Draping and patient positioning.
The PA will serve as first-call for ED and inpatient consultations, appropriately triaging and calling the neurosurgeon on-call as appropriate.
The PA may serve as OR first assist with neurosurgeon.
While the PA can expect a relatively predictable work schedule planned in advance whenever possible, scheduling variations may occur in order to cover clinical needs as they become apparent to the department/clinic.
4 day work week, shifts may include weekend rotation.
Maintains ACLS certification.
The PA I shall be capable of independently orienting, onboarding, and/or training new hire PAs within the department/division.
The PA I shall be actively involved in ongoing quality improvement and patient safety initiatives.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:
The Physician Assistant I does not have any supervisory responsibility.
FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY:
The Physician Assistant I does not have any fiscal responsibility.
Diversity Statement:
As a not-for-profit organization, Mass General Brigham is committed to supporting patient care, research, teaching, and service to the community. We place great value on being a diverse, equitable and inclusive organization as we aim to reflect the diversity of the patients we serve. At Mass General Brigham, we believe in equal access to quality care, employment and advancement opportunities encompassing the full spectrum of human diversity: race, gender, sexual orientation, ability, religion, ethnicity, national origin and all the other forms of human presence and expression that make us better able to provide innovative and cutting-edge healthcare and research.
For all positions that include direct patient care, indicate with an "X" the age(s) of all patient populations served
No Direct Patient Care
All age groups
Adolescence (13 to 17 years)
X
Neonates (birth to 1 month)
Young Adult (18 to 25 years)
X
Infant (1 month to1year)
Adult (26 to 54 years)
X
Early Childhood (12 months to 5 years)
Senior Adult (55 to 64 years)
X
Late Childhood (6 to 12 years)
Geriatric (65 years and up)
X
PHYSICAL/ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS OF JOB
Indicate requirements and frequency by placing an "X" in the appropriate box.
Work Environment:
Activity
Amount of Time Spent
None
1 - 25%
25 - 50%
50 - 75%
Over 75%
Outdoor weather conditions
X
Extreme cold (non weather)
X
Work in high place(s)
X
Work in confined space(s)
X
Risk of electrical shock
X
Risk of radiation exposure
X
Exposure to blood borne pathogens
X
Flammable/explosive gases
X
Toxic / caustic chemicals
X
Dust or other irritants
X
Grease or oils
X
Hazardous specimens
X
Exposure to lab animals
X
Infectious / contagious disease
X
Cleaning agents/chemicals
X
Hot equipment
X
Noisy equipment
X
Humid or wet conditions (non -weather)
X
Other
Lifting/Carry Requirements of this job
Lifting required
Minimal
Carrying required
Minimal
Number of pounds
Amount of Time
1 - 25%
25 - 50%
50 - 75%
Over 75%
Lift
Carry
Lift
Carry
Lift
Carry
Lift
Carry
Up to 10 pounds
X
X
Up to 25 pounds
X
X
Up to 50 pounds
X
X
Up to 100 pounds
Over 100 pounds
Push/Pull Requirements of this job:
Pushing required
Minimal
Pulling required
Minimal
Number of pounds
Amount of Time
1 - 25%
25 - 50%
50 - 75%
Over 75%
Push
Pull
Push
Pull
Push
Pull
Push
Pull
Up to 10 pounds
Up to 25 pounds
Up to 50 pounds
Up to 100 pounds
Over 100 pounds
X
X
Physical Activity requirements of this job:
Activity
Amount of Time Spent
None
1 - 25%
25 - 50%
50 - 75%
Over 75%
Stand
X
Walk
X
Sit
X
Use of hands requiring fine motor skills and sense of touch
X
Move / rotate / bend wrist(s)
X
Type / use keyboard or other data entry device
X
Reach with hands & arms
X
Climb stairs
X
Climb ladder or other equipment
X
Drive / operate motor vehicle
X
Balance
X
Stoop, kneel, crouch, bend, crawl
X
Speak
X
Hear
X
Taste
X
Smell
X
Other
Vision Requirements of this job:
Vision Requirement
Required
Not Required
Close vision
X
Distance vision
X
Color vision
X
Peripheral vision
X
Depth perception
X
Ability to adjust focus
X
Other
Safety equipment used while performing this job:
Safety eye glasses
X
Gowns
X
Filter lens (welding/soldering)
Scrubs
X
Face shields
Boots
Ear plugs or Mufflers
Hard hat
Surgical mask / dust mask
X
Coveralls
Self contained breathing apparatus (SCBA)
Gloves
X
Other
Level of noise typical in this work environment:
Very quiet
Quiet
Moderate
X
Loud
Very loud
QUALIFICATIONS:
- The appropriate candidate will have successfully completed a graduate level physician assistant program (Master's degree) accredited by the Accreditation and Review Committee for Physician Assistants (ARC-PA) or such other accrediting agency as may qualify a graduate to sit for the NCCPA certifying examination
- BS/MS joint programs and those candidates with a BS and PA certificate are eligible, but ONLY for those who graduated BEFORE 1995
- Certification by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) must be obtained prior to first day of employment
- Must hold a current valid license or be eligible for licensure as a physician assistant in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
- Must have or eligible for, and maintain, a current DEA registration and Massachusetts Controlled Substance Registration
- Must complete 100 hours of CME according to national and state regulations during each two year period of employment
- Must complete the BWH Professionalism Program within three months of date of hire
- Must complete the BWH Procedural Sedation Training if deemed necessary
SKILLS/ ABILITIES/ COMPETENCIES REQUIRED:
- Must have the ability to work in a high stress, dynamic, busy clinical setting with changing organizational climate
- Must have the ability to be self-directive and to demonstrate initiative in addressing the responsibilities of the position
- Must have the ability to utilize appropriate problem-solving and conflict resolution skills
- Must be energetic and quality driven and have a proven ability to be a productive member of a team dedicated to providing optimal patient care
- Must be proficient with BWH computer systems as needed to independently perform daily tasks (EMR, Epic preferred)
- Must maintain the highest degree of professional judgment under the supervision and guidance of a licensed physician
WORKING CONDITIONS:
Work settings may include ambulatory clinics and treatment rooms, inpatient areas, intensive care units, operating rooms, and/or procedural areas. There may be loud noises, noxious odors, and temperature extremes. A large portion of the workday may be spent either standing or walking and the position may require heavy lifting of equipment and patients.
The PA may be exposed to radiation, potentially infectious bodily fluids, and sharp instruments such as needles and scalpels. Knowledge of Universal Precautions and proper use of surgical sharp instruments may be required. The consequences of contamination from bodily fluids or from being stuck with a sharp instrument include the possibility of physical harm to the employee or others. BWH is a fast paced, dynamic environment with a very large and complex patient volume; exposure to stress in the workplace is expected.