Physician Assistant First Assist- Cardiac Surgery

Physician Assistant, Surgical First Assistant In Cardiology

Under the direction of the surgeon, the Physician Assistant, Surgical First Assistant in Cardiology, participates in and actively assists in the cardiology perioperative (pre-op + intra-op + post-op), procedures by safely and expeditiously helping to provide exposure, maintain hemostasis, and other technical functions. Applies knowledge of surgical anatomy, physiology, and operative technique relative to operative procedures. Assesses patients and family needs and provides appropriate education pre- and post-procedure. Is responsible for sterile technique and maintenance of the sterile field.

General Duties

General surgical assistant skills:

• Demonstrates the ability to communicate the surgeon's preferences and specific patient's needs to the surgical team, including specialty supplies, instrumentation, and equipment.
• Demonstrates the ability to apply advanced knowledge of normal and pathological surgical anatomy and physiology.
• Demonstrates aseptic skills.
• Acquires continuing education annually to maintain current competencies and licensure.
• Participates in education of allied health staff and students.
• Participates in quality improvement process.

Preoperative Role

• Demonstrates the ability to provide cardiology-specific preoperative skills such as assessing patient information, history, preoperative tests (e.g., EEG, ECG, diagnostic imaging, lab results), safety measures, biopsy results, positioning, and draping.
• Demonstrates knowledge and ability to correctly and safely position patient.
• Demonstrates the ability to perform safe surgical skin prep.
• Demonstrates the ability to establish and maintain sterile field through appropriate draping, gloving, and placement of lines and devices.

Intraoperative Care

• Demonstrates ability to provide cardiology-specific intraoperative technical skills following surgeon preference and accepted practice.
• Able to utilize operating room equipment applicable to the procedure.
• Able to work independently and co-dependently with the surgeon.
• Demonstrates ability to make good decisions using research-based best practice.

Postoperative Care

• Demonstrates the ability to provide cardiology-specific postoperative skills in patient care including surgical dressing application, monitoring for immediate complications, patient transport, and transfer of care.
• Participate in interdisciplinary handoff to provide continuity of care postoperatively.

Experience Qualifications

• Required: 0-1 year of physician assistant cardiology and surgical first assistant perioperative experience.
• New graduates will be considered.

Education Qualifications

• Required: Graduate of an approved physician assistant program.
• Preferred: Graduate of an approved surgical assistant program.

Licenses And Certifications

Required Certifications:

Physician Assistants

• Issuer: Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners
• Licensure Specialty: Licensure

Physician Assistant-Surgical First Assistant

• Issuer: Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners

National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA)

• Issuer: Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam
• Licensure Specialty: NCCPA

Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) CertificationBasic Life Support (CPR and AED) CertificationAdvanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS)

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Fluent in the written and verbal skills necessary to perform successfully the essential functions, duties and responsibilities of the position.
• Ability to read, speak, and write English with clarity of expression sufficient to communicate technical and complex concepts to teammates, patients, and patient family members.
• Ability to understand clinical/medical vocabulary written or spoken in English.
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
• Ability to interact by telephone and face-to-face with individuals and groups of customers seeking service or assistance.
• Mathematical Skills, Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measures.
• Computer skills. Knowledge of word processing software and ability to use information systems for data input and reports.
• Experience in pediatric-specific surgeries and procedures.

Reporting Relationships

• Does this position formally supervise employees? No

Functional Demands

• Medium: Medium physical requirements- Medium Work - Exerting 20 to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 10 to 25 pounds of force frequently, and/or greater than negligible up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Physical Demand requirements are in excess of those for Light Work.

Physical Demands

• Sitting - Occasional (0-35% of day)
• Standing - Frequent (36-66% of day)
• Walking - Occasional (0-35% of day)
• Climbing (e.g., stairs or ladders) - Occasional (0-35% of day)
• Lifting Floor to waist level: 0-10lbs - Occasional (0-35% of day)
• Lifting Floor to waist level: 10-20lbs - Occasional (0-35% of day)
• Lifting Floor to waist level: 20-50lbs - Occasional (0-35% of day)
• Lifting Floor to waist level: 50-100lbs - Occasional (0-35% of day)
• Lifting Floor to waist level: 100+lbs - Occasional (0-35% of day)
• Lifting Waist level and above: 0-10lbs - Occasional (0-35% of day)
• Lifting Waist level and above: 10-20lbs - Occasional (0-35% of day)
• Lifting Waist level and above: 20-50lbs - Occasional (0-35% of day)
• Lifting Waist level and above: 50-100lbs - Occasional (0-35% of day)
• Lifting Waist level and above: 100+lbs - Occasional (0-35% of day)
• Carrying objects - Occasional (0-35% of day)
• Push/pull - Occasional (0-35% of day)
• Twisting - Occasional (0-35% of day)
• Bending - Frequent (36-66% of day)
• Reaching forward - Frequent (36-66% of day)
• Reaching overhead - Occasional (0-35% of day)
• Wrist position deviation - Occasional (0-35% of day)
• Pinching/fine motor activities - Frequent (36-66% of day)
• Keyboard use/repetitive motion - Occasional (0-35% of day)
• Talk or hear - Continuous (67-100% of day)

Sensory Requirements

• Near Vision - Very Accurate 20/20
• Far Vision - Very Accurate 20/20
• Color Discrimination - Yes
• Depth Perception - Accurate
• Hearing - Accurate

Occupational Exposure Risk Potential

• Bloodborne pathogens - Reasonably Anticipated
• Chemical - Reasonably