Physician Assistant - Cardiology

The mission of The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center is to eliminate cancer in Texas, the nation, and the world through outstanding programs that integrate patient care, research and prevention, and through education for undergraduate and graduate students, trainees, professionals, employees and the public.

Ideal candidate will be a new grad with less than 12 months experience.
 

SUMMARY

The Physician Assistant provides direct quality patient care in relation to the patient’s prescribed diagnosis, treatment plans, age group, development and other identified needs, and continuously evaluates outcomes.  Promotes and maintains the health of the client across the health care continuum.   Conducts comprehensive assessments, triage and therapeutic management of patient/family needs throughout the disease process as an integral part of an interdisciplinary team including physicians, nurses, social workers, dietitians, clergy, etc., to provide for assessment and therapeutic management of patient/family needs.   Acts under the authority and supervision of the attending physician and in accordance with regulations, hospital policy, protocols, and clinical pathways. Performs procedures, prescribes treatment and signs prescriptions in accordance with institution and state requirements. Screens physician calls to educate patient/family on care and resources. Collaborates in research projects, formulates protocols and applies research to practice.

 

Scope:   To provide direct medical services to patients within the education, training and experience of the physician assistant that are delegated by the supervising physician and in accordance with the policies established by the Executive Committee of the Medical Staff and consistent with the Texas State Board of Medical Examiners and existing State laws.

 

KEY FUNCTIONS

Practitioner

 

Patient Assessment

1.      Provides quality patient care in relation to the patient’s prescribed diagnosis, treatment, age group, development and other identified needs.  This involves talking to patients and patients families.  Must be able to verbally communicate findings to physician and family members.

2.      Assesses health status by performing the medical history, physical examination and psychosocial assessment.  Must be able to communicate in a clear and understandable manner.  Must be able to visually read and write findings and to verbally communicate with patients and patient’s family.

3.     Make daily rounds on each patient and report findings and test results to attending physician.  Must be able to visually check records and write findings.

4.       Monitors laboratory, clinical radiographic and procedural data for daily rounds.  Must visually evaluate data and prepare written information.

5.  Reviews the finding of the history and physical, pertinent laboratory data, radiographic data, plan for further diagnosis and therapeutic management as outlined in collaboration with the attending physician.  This involves setting for extended period of time and visually evaluating data from computer.  Requires good perception and reading comprehension.

Intervention/Evaluation

1.       Prevents, minimizes and manages symptoms/toxicities/health abnormalities related to disease or treatment in collaboration with physician and other allied personnel.

2.       Evaluates health care provided and modifies care as needed (under the supervision of a physician if medical acts are required).

3.       Provides psychological support to patients and families.

4.       Provides health care throughout the disease process:  diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, palliative and terminal care.

5.       Facilitates use of agency resources.

6.       Facilitates communication between patient/family and interdisciplinary team and coordinates services related to patient care.  This may involve sitting at computer for long periods of time and entering data via keyboard.

7.       Schedules consultations, diagnostic tests or procedures, future appointments for patients in coordination with the attending physician.  Must be able to walk from one area of the hospital to another to pick up and distribute information.

 

Performance of diagnostic/therapeutic procedures

1. Undergoes training of specific medical procedures at MDACC by a physician.

2. Demonstrates competency of specific procedure under the direct supervision of a physician leading to certification to perform the procedure.

3. Performance of medical procedures may include:  Obtaining blood from arterial and venous punctures including central lines; venous catheters and heparin locks; administration of drugs as needed including intravenous, intra-arterial, intrathecal, intraventricular intrapleural and intraperitoneal; lumbar puncture, thoracentesis, bone marrow biopsy, multiple bone marrow aspirations, paracentesis or other medical procedures under the supervision of an M.D.  Must be able to bend body at waist and manipulate fingers in careful movements to draw blood specimens.  Must be able to grasp objects with fingers and palm and make repetitive movements with arms and hands and make receptive movements with legs and feet and maintain controlled steady arm-hand position.

 

Educator

1. Provides health education to the patient and his/her family (i.e., management of side effects, anticipatory teaching).

2. Participates in formal and informal instruction of nursing students, professional nurses and other health professionals.  This may require standing and/or walking for long periods of time without sitting.

3. Keeps self current by:  (2) attending continuing education programs related to the clinical area, (2) reviewing literature related to clinical area, (3) participating in professional nursing organizations, (4) communicating advances in nursing practice or health care in general in writing through publications and presentation of scientific papers. 

 

Researcher

1. Contributes to research efforts of department/section by: (1) identifying clinical problems amenable to research methods, and (2) initiating or collaborating in research projects.

2. Applies pertinent research to clinical practice.

 

Consultation

1.  Provides consultation to colleagues and allied personnel.

2.  Collaborates with medical, nursing and other disciplines regarding plan of care, follow up and evaluation.

3.  Recommends therapeutic measures for relief of symptoms.