PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT I - SURGERY

LOCATION: JOHN H. STROGER HOSPITAL

SURGERY

Applicants may apply for this position
online or submit a resume/ CV to the following email address: PARecruit@cookcountyhhs.org

When submitting a resume/CV by email, you must include the
job title and posting number in the subject line of your email.
An application or resume/CV must be filed for each position which interests
you.

To receive Veteran Preference, appropriate discharge papers
must be attached to the online application or must be included
with your emailed resume/CV. Please refer to Veteran Preference document
requirements listed on the bottom of this posting.

JOB SUMMARY

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.

Typical Duties

• * 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

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

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

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other Characteristics

• * 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 electronic medical record
• * Excellent Physician Assistant clinical and technical skills
• Knowledge and skill to perform mathematical accuracy in measuring and dispensing medication

• * Excellent verbal and written communication skills necessary to communicate with all levels of staff and a patient population composed of diverse cultures and age groups
• * Strong customer service and empathy skills
• * Demonstrates good computer and typing skills
• * Demonstrate good phone and email etiquette skills with strong response times
• * Demonstrate analytical and organizational, problem-solving, critical thinking, and conflict management/resolution skills
• * Demonstrate attention to detail, accuracy and precision
• * Ability to effectively communicate while maintaining HIPPA for Protected Health Information (PHI)
• * Ability to multi-task and meet deadlines in a fast paced and stressful environment
• * Ability to adhere to department policies and standards utilizing best practices
• * Ability to maintain a professional demeanor and composure when challenged
• * Ability to function autonomously and as part of a multidisciplinary team
• * Ability to see and hear clearly (including with correction)
• * Ability to tolerate exposure to unpleasant noise, odor and temperature