Rush

Physician Assistant Thoracic Surgery

Position Responsibilities:

• Trained, licensed physician assistant in thoracic surgery provides high quality, comprehensive care for patients with thoracic diseases and works with 4 physicians, 4 PA’s, 1 RN and residents in clinical team specializing in minimally invasive thoracic surgery.
  Coordinates the provision of clinical care for patients pre and post surgery.

• Acts as the liaison between the physician(s), floor nursing staff, residents, fellows and other nursing staff to ensure continuity and quality of care. Is accessible to patients as a point of contact for on-going clinical issues and for updates for the family during the peri-operative phase.

• Sets the standard for patient and referring physician communication.

Clinic Activities:

• Assist all physicians in surgical procedures and care in the operating room and surgical intensive care unit.

• Assist all physicians in the clinic by interviewing patients in the exam rooms, obtaining necessary clinical information, including HPI, vital signs, social history, etc. in preparation for the physician’s exam, and documenting in Epic.

• For return patients, in addition to above assessment, assess the current status of all post-operative wounds, perform minor procedures as requested by physician and within the PA scope of services, update all clinical information as necessary.

• Triage patient phone calls, answer questions within scope, discuss all relevant finding or patient issues with attending.

• Provide patient and family education regarding their specific disease process and their treatment plan.

• Meet with elective surgery patients and families pre-operatively to provide them with an opportunity to discuss any issues or questions.

• Round on all post surgical patients.

• Coordinate the care plan amongst the various inpatient providers and follow-up to assure tests are appropriately carried out, lab tests are performed and results are available.

• Along with the attending and other clinical staff, coordinate the discharge plan for each patient, including coordinate home care, as needed.

• Dictate the discharge summaries for patients (if not completed by the fellow) and prepare for physician review and signature.

Record and Research Activities:

• Maintain current knowledge of all research trials being conducted by assigned attending. Inform physician of possible trial candidates.

• Assist research coordinators in enrolling appropriate patients into the studies. Provide additional clinical support to the studies as requested by the Chairman or assigned physician.

• Participate in research studies as the research coordinator at the request of the Chairman or the assigned attending

• Assist in the development, monitoring and implementation of patient databases on behalf of the practice, the specialty and such.

Requirements include:

• Master of Physician Assistant Studies

• 1 year surgery or hospital experience

• Current license to practice in Illinois or eligiblity for licensure

• Well balanced and developed clinical assessment skills

• Excellent analytical and interpersonal skills

• Basic computer skills required; EPIC or EMR experience

• Ability to work independently in both hospital and office settings, under the direct supervision and guidance of the supervising physician

Company Highlights:

• Rush's new 14-story hospital— which opens in January 2012 — is the cornerstone of the Rush Transformation, an ongoing effort to build new facilities, renovate existing buildings and adopt new technology

• Rush University Medical Center is a three time Magnet facility located in Chicago, IL - www.rush.edu

• Leading academic medical center, acute care hospital w/ 676 licensed beds