The physician assistant (PA) is a licensed provider who has acquired a broad range of knowledge and skills through the successful completion of a physician assistant program. The PA is responsible for the assessment and management of various populations of patients, medical and/or surgical, including diagnostic and therapeutic interventions, development of appropriate plans of care and ongoing evaluation. The physician assistant works under the supervision of an attending physician and reports directly to the department administrator or chief physician assistant administratively.
The PA will perform in accordance with all state and federal regulations and institutional policies including but not limited to the BWH PA Scope of Practice, Prescriptive Guidelines, approved clinical privileges, and BWH PA policy. The position will provide clinical care to inpatients overnight with coordination of care transitions to the daytime PA team.
Principle Clinical Duties and Responsibilities:
Provides direct care, counseling, and teaching to a designated patient population in the ambulatory, inpatient, operative, and/or procedural setting
Performs complete histories and physical examinations
Orders, interprets, and evaluates appropriate laboratory and diagnostic tests
Develops appropriate plans of care and follow-up based on the outcomes of diagnostic, laboratory, and physical examination findings
Orders medications and writes prescriptions according to organizational and regulatory policies and procedures
Consistently provides high quality and timely documentation including admission and progress notes, procedure notes, operative notes and discharge summaries
Performs bedside procedures as are appropriate to the patient population
In some settings, the PA may first assist in the operating room or procedural areas
Practices cost effective medicine in an efficient manner, maximizing available resources
Discusses patient data with other physicians and professionals as appropriate in a multidisciplinary setting
Demonstrates expert clinical judgment skills to function in an independent role
Additional duties and responsibilities as required by the department/division
Assist with Day After Discharge Program (DAD) where upon each patient is called at home 24 hours after discharge to assure the transition back to the home or facility was without complications. This will also include same day call to the referring physician alerting him/her that patient has been discharged that day.
Assist TICU Director in the development of protocols and procedures for P.A.'s residents and nurses.
Non-Clinical Duties and Responsibilities:
Demonstrates professional collaborative and consultative relationships with other providers
Follows all designated prescriptive practices and monitoring requirements with the designated supervising physician and administrative report
Participates in departmental and organizational committees and programs as appropriate and attends all required meetings, in-services, and professional trainings
Maintains superior interpersonal and communication skills as a member of the healthcare team in order to collaborate effectively with patients, families, staff, and community health workers
Remains actively involved in continuing education with a commitment to self and departmental growth
Adheres to all established safety policies, procedures, and precautions; identifies potential or actual unsafe situations in the environment and takes measures to rectify the situation
Demonstrates understanding of procedures, policies, and documentation required to ensure compliance with hospital standards of care
Additional duties and responsibilities as required by the department/division
SKILLS/ ABILITIES/ COMPETENCIES REQUIRED: (MUST be realistic, neither overstated nor understated, and related to the essential functions of the job.)
Must have the ability to work in a high stress, dynamic, busy clinical setting with changing organizational climate
Must have the ability to be self-directive and to demonstrate initiative in addressing the responsibilities of the position
Must have the ability to utilize appropriate problem-solving and conflict resolution skills
Must be energetic and quality driven and have a proven ability to be a productive member of a team dedicated to providing optimal patient care
Must be proficient with BWH computer systems as needed to independently perform daily tasks (EMR, Epic preferred)
Must maintain the highest degree of professional judgment under the supervision and guidance of a licensed physician
Qualifications
Qualifications - External
The appropriate candidate will have successfully completed a graduate level physician assistant program (Masters degree) accredited by the Accreditation and Review Committee for Physician Assistants (ARC-PA) or such other accrediting agency as may qualify a graduate to sit for the NCCPA certifying examination
BS/MS joint programs and those candidates with a BS and PA certificate are eligible, but ONLY for those who graduated BEFORE 1995
Certification by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) must be obtained prior to first day of employment
Must hold a current valid license or be eligible for licensure as a physician assistant in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Must have or eligible for, and maintain, a current DEA registration and Massachusetts Controlled Substance Registration
Must complete 100 hours of CME according to national and state regulations during each two year period of employment
Must complete the BWH Professionalism Program within three months of date of hire
Must complete the BWH Procedural Sedation Training if deemed necessary
SKILLS/ ABILITIES/ COMPETENCIES REQUIRED: (MUST be realistic, neither overstated nor understated, and related to the essential functions of the job.)
Must have the ability to work in a high stress, dynamic, busy clinical setting with changing organizational climate
Must have the ability to be self-directive and to demonstrate initiative in addressing the responsibilities of the position
Must have the ability to utilize appropriate problem-solving and conflict resolution skills
Must be energetic and quality driven and have a proven ability to be a productive member of a team dedicated to providing optimal patient care
Must be proficient with BWH computer systems as needed to independently perform daily tasks (EMR, Epic preferred)
Must maintain the highest degree of professional judgment under the supervision and guidance of a licensed physician
EEO Statement
Mass General Brigham Healthcare at Home, an affiliate of Mass General Brigham, is committed to supporting patient care, research, teaching, and service to the community. We place great value on being a diverse, equitable and inclusive organization as we aim to reflect the diversity of the patients we serve. At Mass General Brigham, we believe in equal access to quality care, employment and advancement opportunities encompassing the full spectrum of human diversity: race, gender identity, sexual orientation, ability, religion, ethnicity, national origin and all the other forms of human presence and expression that make us better able to provide innovative and cutting-edge healthcare and research.
