Pulmonology - Critical Care Physician Assistant

JOB PURPOSE:
Serves as a member of the critical care team by assisting in the management of critically ill
patients in the hospital. Applies specialized skills and knowledge related to all ICU settings in
which they practice. Contributes to excellence in patient care, research, teaching, and
consulting, and provides leadership to the organization.

MINIMUM EDUCATION REQUIRED:
Graduate from an accredited school of nursing with a current Georgia license for Advanced
Practice Nursing and a Master s degree in Acute Care Nursing, or a graduate of an accredited
Physician Assistant program with a current license for the Georgia State Composite Board.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:
2 years of ICU experience

MINIMUM LICENSURE/CERTIFICATION REQUIRED BY LAW:
Licensed Physician Assistant in the State of Georgia. OR Licensed for Advanced Practice Nursing
(ACNP).
Credentialed in all procedures, including intubations

ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS:
None

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Provides direct clinical services for critically ill adult patients within institutional
guidelines and utilizing evidence-based clinical practice standards under the supervision
of the patient s physician.
2. Obtains patient health histories and completes physical examinations and documents
findings in accordance with hospital requirements.
3. Orders and interprets appropriate diagnostic and laboratory tests, explaining the
necessity, preparation, nature, and anticipated effects of procedure(s) to patients,
patients family, staff, and healthcare learners.
4. Performs approved therapeutic or diagnostic procedures based upon the patient s
clinical status and documents procedures in accordance with hospital requirements, 5.
Performs cardiopulmonary resuscitation, airway management including bag and mask
ventilation, endotracheal intubation, ordering life-supporting drugs according to
established protocols, and defibrillation according to Advanced Cardiac Life Support
standards.
5. Under physician direction and within the credentialing standards of the Hospital, inserts
and manages arterial catheters, dialysis catheters, central venous catheters, pulmonary
artery catheters, chest tubes, thoracenteses, endotracheal tubes, and extraglottic
devices.
6. Interfaces with patients using monitoring and instrumentation equipment, and directs
and educates others in performing these functions.
7. Formulates and implements a treatment plan for acute illness management in
collaboration with the attending physician(s) and documents in medical records and
appropriate narrative summaries.
8. Assesses patients for changes in status and institutes appropriate interventions,
including initiation of necessary emergency interventions to stabilize the patient.
9. Incorporates clinical research findings in the development and implementation of
standards of care.
10. Supports IRB-approved clinical research/trials through a variety of activities, including
but not limited to: obtaining consent; ordering diagnostic tests; recording laboratory
and diagnostic results; administering therapeutic interventions; and documenting and
reporting patient outcomes, including toxicities or adverse events.
11. Performs and participates in quality/performance improvement activities and clinical
research.
12. Serves as a clinical expert and education consultant to nursing, members of the
healthcare team, and the larger community.
13. Identifies educational needs of the family and participates in teaching opportunities.
14. Assesses educational needs, plans, provides, and evaluates educational programs for
nursing staff, interdisciplinary healthcare team, and community.
15. Other duties as assigned.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES
• Ability to participate in creating an environment that implements the mission, vision,
and values of the organization.
• Ability to function independently and as a team member.
• Must be able to establish priorities and a course of action for managing several activities
at once while observing deadlines, and to function and communicate effectively with
multidisciplinary team members.
• Demonstrated a high level of critical thinking.
• Skill and ability to handle multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Demonstrated clinical leadership and experience with coordinating and managing
complex and multifaceted projects.
• Demonstrated a high level of motivation to learn and participate in activities to improve
patient care.
• Must reflect a professional appearance and demeanor and possess excellent customer
service skills.
• Skill and ability in electronic medical records applications.
• Skill and ability to communicate effectively both in writing and verbally with team
members and patients.
• Ability to understand legal issues that influence the practice of the APPs.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or
schedule form.
Disclaimer
The above information is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being
performed by people assigned to this job. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of
responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.
ADDENDUM
Medical/Surgical Critical Care:
• Competence in Airway management, including endotracheal intubation, placement of
extraglottic devices, and safe use of RSI medications.
• Completion of a Difficult Airway Course.
• ACLS certification.
• Interpret ABGs, CXRs, ultrasounds, and CT of chest.
• Perform daily rounds.
• New consults, admissions, discharges, advanced care planning /discussing end of life
care /POLST.
• Attends multidisciplinary rounds.
• Attends and participates in at least one hospital committee.
• Attends and participates in the Critical Care Center of Excellence.
• Attends and participates in journal club and grand rounds.
• Ability to formulate a differential diagnosis, assessment, and plan for each patient.
• Serves in the on-call pool for call-outs.
• Work closely with other consultant groups, RNs, and care coordinators.
• Maintain CME hours and state license/national recertification.
• Participate in the education and onboarding of new hires and fellows
• Check emails regularly and respond promptly when necessary.
• Attends all staff meetings each year.
• Maintains procedural skills with the Additional Duties form on file with the state.