VMG Physician Assistant; PA Cardiac Surgery

Job Summary

The Physician Assistant (PA) will work in an acute care hospital setting as part of a multidisciplinary health care team. The PA functions primarily as a hospitalist, managing acute and complex chronically ill patients from step‑down to discharge and may also provide follow‑up outpatient care. The PA demonstrates advanced medical and nursing knowledge, clinical competence, sound judgment, and professional communication skills.

• Assessment of health status.
• Perform and document a complete history and physical examination for acute and complex chronically ill patients.
• Order and collect data using appropriate assessment techniques, diagnostic information, and procedures when indicated.
• Serve as first responder for nursing and house staff during patient status changes, orders, and procedural or resuscitative interventions.
• Assess risks associated with patient care, including medication side effects, immobility, impaired nutrition, fluid and electrolyte imbalance, immunocompetence, invasive interventions, and diagnostic procedures.
• Coordinate daily rounds with attending physicians, present 24‑hour patient reports, collaborate on the plan of care, and follow assigned patient populations throughout the day.
• Collaborate with the interdisciplinary team to make diagnoses of acute and complex chronic conditions.
• Manage diagnostic tests through ordering, interpretation, performance, and supervision.
• Formulate differential diagnoses by priority, diagnose complications, and order appropriate interventions.
• Identify expected outcomes, formulate and document a plan of care to address complex acute and chronic health care needs.
• Utilize evidence‑based practice guidelines or protocols in an individualized, dynamic plan of care applicable across the continuum.
• Prescribe diagnostic strategies and therapeutic interventions—pharmacologic, non‑pharmacologic, and surgical—to achieve expected outcomes.
• Perform advanced procedures consistent with privileges and competency validation, including minor suturing, complex wound management, line and tube placements and removals.
• Maintain ongoing communication and collaboration with the interdisciplinary health care team.
• Facilitate and communicate with patients, families, and staff to promote continuity of care across inpatient and outpatient settings.
• Document and dictate key components of patient progress via daily progress notes, transfers, discharge summaries, and clinic notes as applicable.
• Demonstrate professional practice behaviors, including precepting, mentoring, and educating students, nursing staff, and junior PAs.
• Seek opportunities for research and analysis of evidence‑based practice.
• Actively participate in Grand Rounds, APN council meetings, faculty and unit meetings, and morbidity & mortality presentations.
• Maintain continuing education units (CEUs) and membership in professional organizations.

• Licensure:
  Physician’s Assistant Certified – Tennessee (LIC).
• Education:
  
  Master’s degree.
• Experience:
  
  Relevant work experience; less than 1 year required.
• Experience level:
  Less than 1 year.

• Affordable high‑quality health plan options.
• Dental and/or vision plan.
• 403(b) retirement plan.
• Paid time off (flexible PTO).
• Tuition reimbursement and adoption assistance (maximums applied).
• Short‑term and long‑term disability.
• Subsidized backup childcare.

Vanderbilt Health is committed to fostering an environment where everyone has the chance to thrive and is committed to the principles of equal opportunity. EOE/Vets/Disabled.