Job Title

Summary The physician assistant will function within the setting of the cardiothoracic section of the department of surgery at the RLR VA Medical Center. Provide medical and surgical care for both inpatients and outpatients in the sections of cardiothoracic surgery and surgical intensive care, serving as the primary coordinator for the physicians and PA/ARNP providers. Cardiothoracic patients often have concomitant medical problems and are multi-symptomatic. Responsibilities Cardiothoracic Surgery Duties: Provide medical and surgical care for both inpatients and outpatients in the sections of cardiothoracic surgery and surgical intensive care, serving as the primary coordinator for the physicians and PA/ARNP providers. Cardiothoracic patients often have concomitant medical problems and are multi-symptomatic. The PA shall coordinate patient care programs based upon the admitting chief complaint and shall perform the following duties: Designing and conducting comprehensive examinations, diagnosis and implementation of treatment plans, admission orders, discharge summaries as well as ordering special labs, and radiographic studies. Provide medical education /counseling of patients and their families. Verify, establish and assure that identified pre-operative surgical requirements are met, assure appropriate arrangements have been established for admission, and coordinate inpatient activities on the floor. Primary responsibility for admissions and medical care of patients. Assist the surgeon in the operating room, including prepping and draping, and first or second assist in surgery. Perform bedside procedures including, placement of arterial lines, swan-ganz catheters and central lines, bronchoscopy, changing of tracheostomy tubes, wound care and debridement, thoracentesis, removal of chest tubes, temporary pacing wires, intra-aortic balloon pump, central lines, arterial lines, and drains. Demonstrate the ability to diagnose and treat cardiothoracic surgery patients seen in consultation with other health care providers. Promote patient care programs for the cardiothoracic surgery patient and periodically update them based upon current and new concepts, research, as well as findings of the attending physician. Integrates the activities of the cardiothoracic surgery service with other patient care programs at the facility. Manage a task force for Quality Assurance within the cardiothoracic section. Role of coordinating holistic care in the inpatient and outpatient realms requiring significant skills involving independent identification of problems, issues, conflicts or barriers to uneventful patient care. Conduct problem solving to formulate a patient care plan to avoid these issues preoperatively while coordinating with social work. Establishes and maintains relationships with social work, rehabilitation, medical, and dietary services throughout the facility to result in improved efficient patient care. Clinical Practice - Surgical Intensive Care Considers factors related to safety, effectiveness and cost in planning and delivering care. Obtains history, physical examination, and assessment of ongoing patient needs through effective use of the nursing process to make practice decisions in an ethical manner. Orders and interprets routine laboratory tests, diagnostic studies, and radiographic tests. Performs diagnostic and stabilization procedures as necessary based on ACLS. Collaborates with respiratory therapy and nursing for airway management and ventilator weaning. Writes orders for laboratory work, medications, and treatments in compliance with hospital policies. Communicates with Surgical Service physicians' patient problems and status updates. Participates in and prepares discharge planning needs for SICU patients through communication with team members, patients, families, and consultants. Documents relevant laboratory data, study results, patient care, pertinent procedures, and patient updates within notes. Demonstrates competence with placement and removal of enteral feeding tubes, central venous catheters, arterial lines, swan ganz catheters, sutures, drains/tubes. Assists with and performs invasive procedures including, central lines, arterial lines, bronchoscopy, PEG tube placement, and percutaneous tracheostomy. Collaborates with physicians, nurses, and other members of the health care team using effective communication and interpersonal skills to develop, promote, and maintain interdisciplinary teamwork. Identifies 'at risk' individuals in need of referrals. Maintains accurate, timely medical records. Participates in performance measures through documentation and data collection/reporting. Assists in investigation and documentation of patient issues and concerns. Identifies individual differences as related to the physiological, cultural, and psychological aspects of maturational development. Bases ones practice on research and participates in clinical research projects. Demonstrates ability to multi-task and prioritize patient care needs. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00AM - 4:30PM Travel: Required. You may be expected to travel Up to 15% for this position. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment All qualified candidates encouraged to apply. Open to U.S. Citizens but non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Complete all application requirements detailed in the