Physician Assistant - Thoracic Surgery, APP Robotic

Physician Assistant - Cardiothoracic Surgery

At Duke Health, we're driven by a commitment to compassionate care that changes the lives of patients, their loved ones, and the greater community. No matter where your talents lie, join us and discover how we can advance health together.

Duke Health Integrated Practice comprises more than 110 primary and specialty outpatient clinics, extending the reach of the Duke Health mission across the state of North Carolina.

Job Location

(Duke Medical Pavillion, Duke North OR, and South Clinic Durham, NC)

Job Summary

We are seeking a Physician Assistant to join Duke's Cardiothoracic Surgery team as part of a premier robotic thoracic surgery group. The role would serve as a primary robotic first assistant on general thoracic surgery cases; including anterior mediastinum, foregut, and lung resections. The role will also include responsibilities such as managing robotic APP coverage, clinical instruction, and research.

One day per week will include providing APP coverage in the multidisciplinary benign esophageal outpatient clinic.

Desired Experience:

• Minimally invasive surgery experience
• Robotic PA experience
• Prefer thoracic surgery experience
• General surgery experience

Job Hours

Monday-Friday, day shift, with flexibility to meet clinic and OR coverage needs. There are no on-call requirements for this role.

Job Duties & Responsibilities

• Surgical First Assisting / Robotic First Assisting and general thoracic surgery cases
• Coordination of the robotic surgery schedule for first assist (bedside) first assisting coverage.
• Perform diagnostic and therapeutic procedures to assist physician in diagnosing medical and surgical problems and prescribing necessary treatment and services for quality patient care; record the normal and abnormal data for review by the physician.
• Take patient histories, conduct physical examinations, and record in the patient's record; write progress notes; prepare patient workups and summaries noting pertinent positive and negative findings; obtain psychosocial history relevant to patient care, and assume responsibility for developing therapeutic relationships with patients.
• Order and schedule laboratory studies and diagnostic procedures; explain necessity, preparation, nature and anticipated effects of scheduled diagnostic and therapeutic procedures to the patient.
• Triage outpatient phone calls and coordinate all necessary efforts in support of direct patient care. Communicate with family members regarding patient care and concerns; provide patient care support and follow up to ensure patient care is coordinated/communicated effectively; provide clinical instruction and oversight to nursing staff. Ensure appropriate communication with all referring physicians. Work with the hospital nursing team, residents, fellows, inpatient APPs, etc., upon transition of care to outpatient coverage.
• Initiate referrals to other healthcare providers, and/or consults with the attending physician(s) or the collaborating physician.
• Provide timely documentation in the electronic medical record of all relevant data including results of diagnostic tests; laboratory results; patients' condition and response to therapies/interventions; communications with physician colleagues and other healthcare providers.
• Review outside records including clinic notes, hospital records, imaging, lab, and other test results
• Analyze clinical practice patterns to provide the best medical care and to increase effectiveness and efficiency.
• Participate in basic science and clinical research projects conducted by supervising physician. Participate in teaching students and residents when requested in clinic.
• Attend the monthly multidisciplinary conference and participate in patient follow-up from that.
• Regularly monitor and respond to patient and provider mychart messages, including cross coverage when necessary of the Esophageal Center at Duke Pool
• Attendance at Surgery Grand Rounds and participation in other divisional educational events is encouraged.

Minimum Job Eligibility Requirements

Education

• Completion of an accredited Physician Assistant program. A Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree strongly preferred.

Certification

• BLS required.

License

• Must be licensed in the state of NC, and be certified as a Physician Assistant by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants.