Physician Assistant, Orthopedic Surgery

We are so glad you are interested in joining Sutter Health!

Organization: PAMF-Palo Alto Medical Foundation CAD

Position Overview:

Assesses, diagnoses, plans and implements the medical care of patients in collaboration with a physician. Functions within the full scope of licensure; accountable for the assessment, coordination delivery and evaluation of care, including direct patient care, patient/family education and transitions of care. Provides medical consultation including the performance of therapeutic procedures delegated by the supervising physician, assist with various procedures, provides patient education, treatment and follow-up, may complete daily rounds and as needed using an organized multi-disciplinary team approach to provide continuity of care throughout the care continuum.

The Physician Assistant s responsibilities may include managing patients in an office, hospital, emergency and/or perioperative setting. Follows ambulatory care and inpatient standardized procedures, protocols, policy and procedures regulated by the State of California Physician Assistant Practice Act.

JOB ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Performs patient assessments to include: obtaining basic medical information and history, reviewing patient s medical record, performing physical exam, documenting findings into patient medical record, and reporting deviations from normal findings to attending physician.
• Provides health care services to patients under the direction and responsibility of physician.
• Examines patient, performs comprehensive physical examination, and compiles patient medical data, including health history and results of physical examination.
• Administers or orders diagnostic tests, and interprets test results for deviations from normal.
• Develops and implements patient management plans, records progress notes, and assists in provision of continuity of care.
• Instructs and counsels patients regarding compliance with prescribed therapeutic regimens, normal growth and development, family planning, emotional problems of daily living, and health maintenance.
• Performs therapeutic procedures, such as injections, immunizations, and managing infection.

• Communicates orally and in writing with patients, physicians and staff as indicated.
• Provides health education and counseling to patients.
• Accurately documents patient encounter data.
• Provides relevant quality assessment and reports.
• Establishes and maintains effective and seamless communication between the practice and patients’ medical providers in order to provide continuity of care.
• Serves as coordinator for patients to access community and other resources necessary for appropriate management of medical and psychosocial factors.

• Identifies, reports and contributes to performance improvement activities
• Seeks process improvements consistent with organizational priorities and goals
• Contributes to the development of clinical pathways, updating/maintaining physician order sets and physician preference cards
• Collects and tracks targeted performance improvement data for projects
• Assists with clinical effectiveness studies and projects

• PERIOPERATIVE:
  • Performs first/second assistant responsibilities in accordance with state scope of practice requirements.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of surgical anatomy, physiology, and operative technique relative to operative procedures wherein the PA assists.
  • Provides care for different types of patients with varying complexity.
  • Assists in the positioning, skin preparation, and draping of the patient.
  • Provides hemostasis and wound exposure, handles tissue appropriately to reduce the potential for injury, sutures tissue, and applies dressings to the wound under the direction of the surgeon.
  • Uses surgical instruments skillfully in ways consistent with their design and purpose.
• LIVER TRANSPLANT:
  • Inserts central venous jugular/subclavian catheters or Swan-Ganz catheters under the direct supervision of the supervising physician.
  • Independently performs procedures include: thoracentesis, paracentesis, wound debridement, arthrocentesis, lumbar puncture,…