PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT

Cardiovascular Institute of the South is a dynamic and growing organization, and we are looking for talented, motivated individuals to join our world-class team. #Our mission at CIS is to provide our patients with the highest-quality cardiovascular care in the most professional and efficient manner possible.# Our members play an integral role in upholding this mission. #By putting these principles into action, we create a positive work environment that fosters our standards of behavior, as well as employee satisfaction.# With a dedicated staff, CIS remains at the forefront of technology, providing the most advanced, compassionate care in all of our communities. ######## Nature of Duties: With the collaboration and guidance of the physicians, the certified physician assistant assists in assessing, planning, diagnosing, implementing, coordinating, and evaluating care provided to patients within the legal realm as established by the Louisiana State Board of Nursing.# The practice of the certified physician assistant is collectively guided by:# Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners.# ######## Specific Duties: The certified physician assistant provides healthcare to patients in accordance with his/her knowledge base, experience, competence, and within the scope of practice defined by the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners. Direct Patient Care Items: Provides patient care within the framework of the standards of practice and standards of care guidelines outlined in the collaborative practice agreement and practice protocols. Perform comprehensive health histories # physicals, discharge summaries, documents daily progress notes, transfer summaries, procedural notes, physical, mental, developmental, and functional status determination. Order and/or performs, and interprets pertinent diagnostic studies. Analyzes patient data to determine health status and formulates diagnosis. Order appropriate pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapeutics within scope of practice. Evaluates effectiveness of care continually and modifies plans of care based on evaluation and patient responses. Identify teaching needs of patients and provide them with information or appropriate resources. Make rounds daily on assigned patients independently: Before the attending physician - to compile objective date; With the physician - to actively convey suggestions and participate in the health care team; After the physician - to assess newly derived data or changes in the patient#s clinical condition. Assist team members in giving care to patients or administer direct care when necessary. Assist physicians with special tests and procedures as needed. Initiate orders for medications as per collaborative practice agreement, protocols, and legal limits of prescriptive authority. Review and interpret chest x-rays when necessary. Act independently within the legal realm of the advanced nurse practitioner to assure safe, quality, and therapeutic care. Assist with or institute emergency measures for sudden adverse developments in patient#s condition. Evaluate patients and make appropriate changes in medical regiment on a daily basis in the Infusion Center on patients assigned with the diagnosis of advanced heart failure. Perform invasive and non-invasive procedures as allowed by the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners and agency staff privileges. Accept call status, when required, with a collaborative physician both in the outpatient and inpatient settings. Evaluate and implement care in the emergency department with appropriate collaboration with physician(s). Manage selected patients in the outpatient clinic setting, hospital when required (i.e. coumadin clinic, heart failure clinic, pacer clinic, lipid clinic, etc.). Documentation/Records/Billing:# Document subjective, objective, assessed clinical findings, as well as planned therapies in the medical progress notes so that all members of the health care team may treat holistically.# Document pertinent information for the physician concerning the projected plan of care for the patient in the medical record using the subjective, objective, assessment, plan format (S.O.A.P.). Complete all necessary and required documentation for each patient encounter. Complete medical records generated in a timely and accurate manner. Provide/Submit pertinent information to clerical personnel concerning billing for services rendered by the physician and nurse practitioner. Communication # Coordination of Patient Care: Monitor results of therapeutic tests and procedures in accordance with patient#s clinical diagnosis, report findings to physicians, and institute appropriate nursing instructions. Communicate with other physicians as needed to either obtain or offer information to improve interdisciplinary communication and make appropriate referrals and consultations with sub-specialists as needed. Collaborates with health care professionals in a multidisciplinary approach to meet client health care needs. Respect the patient by conveying his wishes concerning medical therapies, advance directives, and the use of extraordinary care by completing orders/forms necessary for life sustaining/limiting procedures. Utilize the nursing process to assess the patient#s physical, psychological, emotional, rehabilitative and social needs and convey those needs to appropriate health team members. Act as a liaison between the patient, family physician, nursing staff, ancillary personnel, social services, administrative and clerical personnel to assure optimum patient care. Participate as a member of a holistic health care team to achieve a goal of maximum wellness. Interpret, implement, and assist others in implementing physicians or physician assistant orders accurately.# Clarify and consult with the physician regularly and as needed. Explain procedures and treatments to patients and families to obtain legal informed consent. Demonstrate effective leadership skills by attending appointed committees or interdisciplinary teams, tasks forces, or special projects meetings. Triage telephone calls received via the internet for information. Function in a general leadership position in the clinic setting over all office ancillary staff. Perform patient and family teaching in all settings when required. Professional Duties: Maintain knowledge base and competence in clinical practice through participation in continuing education. Utilizes the research process, participates in all levels of research, evaluates relevant research for merit, and incorporates findings into clinical practice. Participate in institutional review board approved research and clinical trials as necessary including appropriate documentation and record keeping. Participates in quality assurance and performance improvement activities. Participate in professional development and ongoing continuing education of students and colleagues. Participate in orientation of new team members and foster a learning environment when mentoring and precepting. Maintain current proficiency in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and advanced cardiac life support. Perform community and lay public presentations representing CIS for the purposes of primary prevention and community education. General Guidelines: Provides care based upon current standards of practice and clinical guidelines/protocols. Utilizes principles of ethical decision-making, patient advocacy, and risk/benefit factors assessments in determining the best plan of care. Act as a patient advocate. Prescribe, distribute, administer, and evaluate medications and treatments with proper technique and with professional knowledge. Accept responsibility for actions performed. Provides patient care within the framework of the standards of practice and standards of care found in the collaborative practice agreement and protocol for practice. Consult with the collaborating physician whenever a patient#s diagnosis, treatment, or response to treatment so indicates and for each of the following: A new diagnosis is made, New medication is initiated and required by regulations of limited prescriptive authority for advanced registered nurse practitioners, A significant change in the patients condition, Upon request of the patient or family, The appropriate or indicated intervention exceeds the scope of practice of the advanced nurse practitioner, Patient#s condition fails to respond as expected to initial treatment modalities, OR A state-reportable or other incident occurs. Suggest, coordinate, and implement new programs for patient care. Other Duties # Responsibilities: Complete and revise call schedules in a timely manner and when necessary. Participate in the Wellness Council planning and implementing of activities. Attend committee meetings when required. Supervise employees as assigned. Performs other related duties as assigned and serves in whatever other capacity deemed necessary for successful completion of the mission and goals of CIS and in concordance with its patient philosophy. Qualifications: Bachelor#s Degree in a science or health care related major At least 5 years# experience working in a health care setting Complete an Accredited program by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA).# Complete a 2-3-year master#s level program, Minimum Master#s Degree Pass the PANCE licensing exam Current licensure by the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners as a Physician Assistant. Current certification by a nationally recognized certifying agency for Physician Assistant. #Basic Life Support (BLS) certification and Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certification are both required. #Successful completion of assigned EKG Courses within 12 months. Effective communications skills. SUGGESTED: Advanced credentials and / or certification in any field of medicine or nursing. # The specific statements shown in each section of this description are not intended to be all-inclusive. They represent typical elements and criteria considered necessary to successfully perform the job. #

Salary : $107,000 - $136,000