Physician Assistant (PA) - Cardiac Surgery

Physician Assistant (PA-C) - Thoracic Organ Recovery

The Vanderbilt Departments of Cardiac and Thoracic Surgery are seeking Physician Assistant (PA-C) candidates interested in independent Thoracic Organ Recovery. Vanderbilt has established a pathway for PAs to be trained in recovery of both hearts and lungs utilizing the most advanced organ preservation systems. The candidates must have at least one year of cardiac surgery operative experience. Vanderbilt University Medical Center is among the largest transplant centers in the United States and committed to advancing the frontiers of organ preservation. The heart transplant program has been on forefront of multiple recovery methods and is committed to training a talented workforce for the future.

Key Responsibilities:

• Assessment of Health Status
• Performs and documents in the medical record a complete history and physical examination for acute and complex chronically ill patients.
• Orders and collects data using appropriate assessment techniques, relevant supporting diagnostic information and diagnostic procedures where indicated.
• The Physician Assistant may serve as the first responder for both nursing and house staff in the event of patient status changes, orders, and in situations requiring procedural and resuscitative interventions.
• Assess for risks associated with the care of the acute and complex chronically ill patient including: medication side effects, immobility, impaired nutrition, fluid and electrolyte imbalance, immunocompetence, invasive interventions and diagnostic procedures.
• Coordinates daily rounds with the Attending physician teams, presents 24 hour patient report, collaborates in plan of care, and follows assigned patient population throughout the day.
• Diagnosis
• Collaborates with interdisciplinary health care team in making diagnoses of acute and complex chronic conditions.
• Manages diagnostic tests through ordering, interpretation, performance, and supervision.
• Formulates differential diagnoses by priority.
• Diagnoses complications and orders appropriate interventions.
• Formulates Plan of Care
• Identifies expected outcomes from diagnosis, and formulates and documents a plan of care to address complex acute and chronic health care needs.
• Utilizes evidenced based practice guidelines or protocols in an individualized, dynamic plan of care that can be applied across the continuum.
• Implements and modifies plan of care
• Prescribes diagnostic strategies and therapeutic interventions both pharmacologic, non-pharmacologic and surgical, needed to achieve expected outcomes.
• Manages further diagnostic tests through ordering, interpretation, performance, and supervision.
• May perform advanced procedures consistent with privileges and competency validation including minor suturing, complex wound management, line and tube placements and removals.
• Communication and Collaboration
• Maintains ongoing communication and collaboration with interdisciplinary health care team.
• Facilitates and communicates with patient, family and staff to promote continuity of care across the inpatient and outpatient continuum of care.
• Documentation
• Documents/dictates key components of patient's progress via daily progress note, transfer, and discharge summary, and or clinic note where applicable. (h&p, daily progress notes, plan of care, problem lists, procedure notes, acute event note, discharge summaries, in medical record per specific patient unit or service, death summary)
• Documentation is timely, meets acute care compliance standards and captures patient acuity.
• Professional Practice
• Demonstrates Professional Practice behaviors including: preceptor/mentoring, education and instruction of students, nursing staff, nurses, graduate and novice Physician Assistants.
• Seeks opportunities for active engagement in research and the analysis of evidenced based practice.
• Actively participates in Grand Rounds, APN council meetings, faculty and unit meetings, M&M presentations.
• Maintains CEUs, and membership in a professional organization.

Core Accountabilities:

• Organizational Impact: Executes job responsibilities with the understanding of how output would affect and impact other areas related to own job area/team with occasional guidance.
• Problem Solving/ Complexity of work: Analyzes moderately complex problems using technical experience and judgment.
• Breadth of Knowledge: Has expanded knowledge gained through experience within a professional area.
• Team Interaction: Provides informal guidance and support to team members.

Position Qualifications:

• Certifications: LIC-Physician's Assistant Certified - Tennessee
• Work Experience: Relevant Work Experience
• Experience Level: Less than 1 year
• Education: Master's

This role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact within Vanderbilt Health, supported by a comprehensive benefits package which may include health, disability, retirement and/or wellness offerings to enhance your well-being and professional growth.

Vanderbilt Health is committed to fostering an environment where everyone has the chance to thrive and is committed to the principles of equal opportunity. EOE/Vets/Disabled.

Vanderbilt University Medical Center