Physician Assistant - Surgery

John H. Stroger Hospital, Department of Surgery.

The Surgery Physician Assistant (PA), in collaboration with a Surgery Physician, provides exceptional care to a diverse surgery patient population and provides support to other divisions of surgery as needed. The PA in Surgery evaluates patients and develops assessment plans, places orders and develops treatment plans in the outpatient surgery clinics. The PA completes the preoperative assessment, assists the Surgery Attending in surgery, and follows the patient post‑operatively.

The PA communicates with patients and families regarding education for wound care, diet and exercise. The PA orders necessary supplies for the procedures, performs outpatient procedures including but not limited to casting, splinting, mole removal and punch biopsies. The PA demonstrates flexibility and teamwork to facilitate completion of duties and ensures patients are adequately prepared for surgery. Performs all duties with the legal guidelines of the Physician Assistant Practice Act and Cook County Health policies.

• Works collaboratively with physicians, fellows/residents, nurses and other allied health staff to provide all phases of high quality patient care for surgery patients
• Provides independent preoperative physical assessment, coordination of patient care and patient management for a variety of surgery indications
• Orders and interprets diagnostic tests to differentiate between normal variations and abnormal deviations; refers patients with abnormal results to consult with a physician
• Performs diagnostic and therapeutic procedures as delegated; performs simple surgical procedures including casting, splinting, management of wounds, incision and drainage, suture and staple placement and removal, aspirations and injections
• Performs primary surgery care in an outpatient independent clinic
• Prescribes and dispenses legal drugs and controlled substances as delegated
• Assesses, diagnoses and treats adult patients
• Provides and manages direct patient care
• Conducts patient’s health needs assessments
• Obtains comprehensive history and performs detailed physical examinations to determine accurate diagnosis
• Orders appropriate diagnostic tests or lab work necessary, i.e. X‑ray, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), complete blood count (CBC), etc.
• Informs and effectively communicates patient test results and/or diagnosis
• Identifies and communicates with collaborating physician any patient care issues; offers research guided recommendations for improvement initiatives if applicable
• Assists in minor surgery and first assist in major surgery
• Develops and implements patient management plans in providing continuity of care
• Performs procedures, treatments, and other subspecialty dependent modalities within the scope of the collaborating physician to improve patient outcomes
• Performs pain management and understands when to administer appropriate techniques and methods in anesthesia, advanced wound management, diagnostic/therapeutic procedures, diagnostic radiology interpretation, operative/perioperative care

• Graduate of an Accreditation Review Commission (ARC) Physician Assistant program is required
• Board Certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) or ability to obtain certification prior to starting employment is required
• Valid Physician Assistant license in the State of Illinois or have the ability to obtain license prior to starting employment is required
• Valid Illinois Controlled Substances License (ILCS) or ability to obtain license within six (6) months of starting employment is required
• Valid licensure with the Federal DEA or ability to obtain license within six (6) months of starting employment is required
• Must possess a Basic Life Support (BLS) certification is required

• Knowledge of proper hand hygiene and hand washing techniques
• Knowledge of infectious control policies and procedures
• Thorough knowledge of Physician Assistant practices and principles, and the ability to apply them in a clinical setting
• Knowledge and use of Microsoft Office applications and…