Physician Assistant

Physician Assistant, Labor and Delivery

The Labor and Delivery Physician Assistant, under the general supervision of an Attending Physician, and in a collaborative fashion, will support the Labor and Delivery and inpatient postpartum service. The PA is responsible for providing comprehensive care on a continuum, from arrival to Labor and Delivery to discharge from the hospital. The focus is on varied medical services, which may include obtaining complete medical history and performing a physical examination; ordering and interpreting laboratory tests and imaging studies; formulating a diagnosis and treatment plan; prescribing and/or dispensing medication; rounding and management of L & D and post-partum patients, assisting with C-sections, counseling patients and families, care coordination, inpatient consultations, and discharge planning.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities Includes the Following:

• Understands and adheres to the WPH Performance Standards, Policies and Behaviors.
• Perform assessments of patient presenting to Labor and Delivery triage, including history-taking, physical exams, consents, documentation of H & Ps, triage notes, interpretation of fetal monitoring, and development of a care plan.
• Initiate and manage induction or augmentation of labor protocols as appropriate.
• Provide assessment and stabilization of obstetric emergencies under appropriate supervision and scope.
• Collaborate with Obstetrician in managing patients in labor and facilitating needed care.
• Assist Obstetrician with caesarian sections
• Round on admitted, postpartum and post-operative patients, which may include counseling patients and families.
• Evaluate inpatients requiring an OB consult throughout the hospital.
• Perform or assist with procedures including, but not limited to, placement of intrauterine pressure catheters (IUPC, fetal scalp electrodes, laceration repairs, and postpartum hemorrhage management.
• Order and interpret diagnostic studies per approved privileges/practice guidelines.
• Present and discuss the findings of the initial evaluation with the Attending Physician to determine the treatment plan.
• Write orders on inpatients including medication, labs, diagnostic and therapeutic tests, and nursing activities.
• Perform post-operative patient assessments and documentation of postoperative status.
• Completion of minor procedures including dressing changes, wound care, suture/staple removal, incision and drainage of surgical site, debridement, IV insertion, collect/analyze specimens, needle aspiration.
• Support postpartum inpatient encounter to assure that there is coordination and consolidation of patient care plans and execution of those plans.
• Play an important role in educating women about the benefits of breastfeeding for the mother and their newborns.
• Facilitate transitions of care from inpatient to outpatient setting, including performance of medication reconciliation, arrangement of appropriate and timely follow up, and completion of an accurate and concise discharge summary.
• Order and prescribe medications in accordance with statutes, rules and regulations of the State of New York
• Record and maintain legible, accurate and confidential patient medical records including initial evaluation, subsequent follow-up, unusual incidents or problems, and patient progress to provide complete and up-to-date information for ongoing reference and evaluation.
• Keeps abreast of all pertinent federal, state and WPH regulations, laws, and policies as they presently exist and as they are changed or modified.
• Performs all other related duties as assigned.

Education & Experience Requirements

• Current New York State Licensed Physician Assistant
• Current National Certification
• Current White Plains Hospital Physician Assistant DOP
• Master's degree from an accredited school (highly recommended)
• Certified in Basic Life Support (BLS) recommended but not required
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
• Proficiency in all procedures, techniques and skills approved in the delineation of privileges

Successful completion of Department Orientation Program

Core Competencies

• Teamwork & Adaptability
• Acts as a Professional Role Model
• Assessment Skills
• Excellent Communication Skills (both verbal and written)
• Attention to Detail
• Planning & Organizing
• Sound Problem-Solving, Judgment and Decision-Making Skills
• Stress Tolerance

Physical/Mental Demands/Requirements & Work Environment

Must be able to work 10-12 hour shifts, which involve long periods of standing, bending and stooping. May have sufficient manual dexterity and eye-hand coordination to perform all the procedures, techniques and skills listed in the delineation of privileges for PIAP. Position requires ability to move about freely at least 85 per cent of the time. Must be able to remain stationary for extended/prolonged periods. Frequently moves/transports objects up to fifty (50) pounds and must be able to move patients of all weights with a minimum of one (1) assist or assistive device/equipment Must be able to work in environment with continuous interruptions Must be able to assess and respond to rapidly changing situational needs of patients, department and hospital Must be able to adapt in a high stress and fast-paced environment with multiple interruptions Must be able to detect sounds and respond to emergency sounds/signals at all times. Must be able to constantly operate computer, equipment, and other devices. Position requires ability to concentrate on fine detail with interruptions and attend to tasks for more than sixty (60) minutes at a time. Individual must be able to understand and relate to theories behind several related concepts and remember multiple tasks given during the course of a day. May be exposed to chemicals necessary to perform required tasks. Any hazardous chemicals the employee may be exposed to are listed in the hospital's SDS (Safety Data Sheet) data base and accessed through the hospital's Intranet site (Employee Tools/SDS Access). A copy of the SDS data base can also be found at the hospital switchboard, saved on a disc.