Physician Assistant - Cardiothoracic Surgery

Cardiothoracic Physician Assistant / PA

St. Francis Hospital, The Heart Center is New York State's only specialty designated cardiac center. A member of Catholic Health Services of Long Island, St. Francis is consistently recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a national leader for Cardiology & Heart Surgery, as well as for Gastroenterology & GI surgery, U.S. News rates St. Francis as high performing in Geriatrics, Neurology & Neurosurgery, Orthopedics, and Pulmonology. Nursing care at St. Francis is also nationally recognized, with multiple Magnet designations, as well as the AMSN PRISM Awards and Beacon Awards. St. Francis has regularly out-scored other hospitals on Long Island.

St. Francis Hospital is dedicated to providing a supportive environment, committed to the highest standards of patient care, where health care professionals can develop their expertise and strengthen their credentials.

St. Francis provides a full spectrum of surgical services and the Cardiothoracic Physician Assistant / PA is a valued member of our world renowned Open Heart Program. The Physician Assistant will provide inpatient pre and post-operative care as well as first or second assist in the most advanced CT Surgical procedures performed at St. Francis Hospital main campus in Roslyn, NY and Good Samaritan Medical Center in West Islip, NY.

Job Responsibilities

Performs assessment and evaluation of patient in the Surgical Department

• Introduces and identifies self to patient and family immediately upon presentation.
• Record admission orders after discussion with attending physician.
• Performance of patient History and Physical with attending physician. A discussion with the attending physician is not required for a PA performing a history and physical in PST.
• Initiate consultation after discussion with attending consultant physician.
• Evaluate, diagnose and treat adolescent and adult patients for common illnesses and injuries.
• Taking initiative in performing the evaluation and therapeutic procedures in response to life threatening situations.

Performs various treatment for patient in the Surgical Department

Medication reconciliation in consultation with attending physician. Record Progress notes. Wound checks and dressing changes. Suture uncomplicated lacerations. Incision and drainage as well as remove drains when applicable. Perform injections and provide immunization. Manage simple conditions produced by infections or trauma. Assisting in the management of more complex illnesses and injuries. Performs excision of lesions and skin biopsy. Manage uncomplicated minor closed fractures, and uncomplicated dislocations. Initiate peripheral IV. Insertion of Nasogastric/feeding tubes. Insertion of Foley catheter Collect specimens for pathological and cytological examinations. Required Emergency response to Cardiopulmonary Arrest and Rapid Response Calls. The core privileges for a Surgical Physician Assistant may include other procedures that are extensions of the same techniques and skills described above.

Orders and recommendations to assist with patient care

Ordering of restraints and 1:1 monitoring. Initiate consultation requesting specialist in consultation with attending physician. Order support services (e.g. PT, OT, Speech, Dietery, Respiratory, etc.). Supply patient education and counseling. Order single dose schedule II, III, IV and V medications. Order routine medications. Administer medications by oral, IV or IM routes. Order and interpret routine diagnostic studies. Order blood transfusions and blood products as per hospital policy. Order procedures requiring a signed consent as required by hospital policy. Instructing and counseling patients on medical issues, treatments medications Lab test etc. as well as therapeutic affects of these interventions. Educate patients on wellness, disease prevention and safety issues. Assess risks for falls and initiate plan of action when required.

Initiates and prepares for patient discharge

• Discharge patient after discussion with attending physician.
• Dictate discharge summary after discussion with attending consultant physician.
• Order discharge medications after discussion with attending physician.

Physician Assistant Special Non-Core Privileges, eligibility to apply

• PA must demonstrate successful completion of an approved, recognized course when such exists, or acceptable supervised training or other acceptable experience.
• PA must provide documentation of competence in performing the requested procedure consistent with criteria set forth in medical staff policies governing the exercise of specific privileges..
• All requested privileges must be approved by Department chair as well as by the Director of PA Surgical Services.

Physician Assistant Special Non-Core Privileges description

• PICC line insertion - requires completion of PICC line training course as well as documented experience in 5 or more PICC line insertions and sign off by the Chief of interventional Radiology or their designee.
• Intubation of a patient requires skill sing off by Director of Respiratory Therapy or Anesthesia/designee
• First assist in the OR for open surgical cases requires documented experience as first assist on 25 cases with case logs.
• First assist in the OR for laparoscopic/arthroscopic surgical cases requires documented experience as first assist on 25 laparoscopic/arthroscopic procedures.

Maintains professional development

• Evaluates own development in relation to professional practice standards, relevant statues and regulations.
• Participates in on-going educational activities related to clinical knowledge, professional issues and the managed care environment.

Posted Salary Range

USD $74.67 - USD $93.81 /Hr.

At Catholic Health, your well-being comes first, with comprehensive compensation and benefits; our offerings go beyond the basics. In addition to multiple medical plans, life insurance, generous paid time off and flexible spending accounts, we offer substantial tuition reimbursement, an employer funded pension plan and several savings plan options for your future.