Cardiothoracic Physician Assistant

Miami Transplant Institute, Lung Acquisition

Full Time *No New Graduates*

Job Summary

Physician Assistant Cardiothoracic is professional technical work which relieves physicians of many essential and time consuming tasks. The incumbent interviews patients, takes medical histories, performs physical examinations, orders laboratory tests, makes diagnosis, prescribes appropriate treatment, provides postoperative care and assists during complicated medical procedures. Work is performed under the direct supervision of a physician.

Duties and Responsibilities

• May perform as First Assist in Adult and Pediatric thoracic surgery, including robotic procedures with bedside assist, robotic port placement and docking.
• May perform as First Assist in Adult and Pediatric lung transplantation, including assistance with back-table preparation of the donor lung, donor lung procurement and implantation, closure of clamshell incision and ECMO decannulation.
• Harvest saphenous vein for CABG by open and endoscopic technique.
• Close saphenous vein and median sternotomy incisions, removal of sutures and removal of drains.
• Dictate/Write History and Physical (to be counter signed by physician within 24 hours).
• Dictate/Write Progress Notes (to be countersigned by a physician within 24 hours).
• Dictate Discharge Summaries (to be countersigned by a physician within 24 hours).
• Assist in management of acute medical emergencies (in the presence of sponsoring physician).
• May assist in critical care unit with emergency ECMO evaluation, cannulation and management, tracheostomies, cut down procedures, emergency intubation, emergency subclavian I.Vs, and the emergency insertion of chest tubes, emergency insertion of pacing wires, opening and closing of wounds (in the presence of sponsoring physician).
• Venous puncture, arterial puncture, urinary bladder catheterization, nasogastric intubation, gastric lavage, taking of cultures, injections, and EKG tracings.
• Patient care rounds, pre & post operative care, consults and admissions.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.
• Demonstrates behaviors of service excellence and CARE values (Compassion, Accountability, Respect and Expertise).

Experience

Generally requires 3 to 5 years of related experience.

Education

Advanced degree in specialty is required.

Skill

Ability to analyze, organize and prioritize work accurately while meeting multiple deadlines. Ability to communicate effectively in both oral and written form. Ability to handle difficult and stressful situations with professional composure. Ability to understand and follow instructions. Ability to exercise sound and independent judgment Knowledge and skill in use of job appropriate technology and software applications.

Unit specific competencies

Current demonstrated competence and an adequate volume of current experience with acceptable results and certification by, or formal active participation in the examination process leading to certification by the American Board of Surgical Assistants (ABSA) and or National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical assisting (NBSTSA). Evidences of Florida licensure and documentation of having first assisted on at least 400 clinical cardiothoracic surgical cases or 1500 clinical cardiothoracic hours at a JCAHO accredited facility during the last two years where the applicant was listed as the surgical assistant preferred.

Credentials

Valid Florida Physician Assistant license and DEA board certification are required. Required certification by National Commission of Certified Physician Assistants. Other specialty certifications related to specialty required, as needed based on specialty. American Heart Association and any additional applicable life support certification for Healthcare Providers may be required at the unit level upon hire with at least 6 months validity and maintenance at JHS for the duration of employment.

Unit Specific Credential

AHA Basic Life Support (BLS) with 6 months validity AHA Adv Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS)