Physician Assistant, ICU

The Physician Assistant ICU is a member of the intensive care team and has as his/her primary responsibility the management of a caseload of critically ill complex (multi-organ) patients in an intensive care setting. A team of effective Critical Care Physician Assistants will provide 24 x 7 coverage of the ICU service, building a common practice with his/her colleagues and with the supervising ICU physicians. Handoffs in the morning and evening by the Critical Care Nurse Practitioners on all patients on the ICU service will provide an opportunity for daily feedback and coordination of the team’s practice. Daily multi-disciplinary rounds with the ICU physician on all patients allow the team to develop a unified strategy for protocolized care. The night coverage of the ICU service by the Critical Care Physician Assistants will be supported by existing on-site resources as well as a dedicated back-up ICU attending who would be available by phone or to provide hands-on care if necessary. The Critical Care Physician Assistants will be expected to perform triage responsibilities in the off hours to aid in ICU discharge/transfer planning. The Critical Care Physician Assistant’s daily patient care workflow is under the supervision of the ICU physician or designated back-up physicians. The overall reporting of the CCAP is to the Chief of Critical Care who will review and support scheduling models, education and procedural training. In addition, the Critical Care Physician Assistants will be expected to contribute to development of ICU protocols and quality initiatives. Critical Care Physician Assistants will be expected to have excellent communication skills and will develop collaborative relationships with the intensivists and hospitalists as well as with the ICU consultants. The Critical Care Physician Assistants contributes to excellence in patient care, research, teaching, consulting, and provides leadership to the organization and nursing profession.

Description:

1. Performs physical exams, collects and documents data, orders and schedules laboratory studies and professional consultations, makes and confirms diagnoses, prescribes appropriate interventions and medications and provides direct patient care services under the general supervision of the supervising physician.

2. Perform therapeutic or diagnostic procedures based upon patient clinical status to include performance of procedures to include central lines, arterial lines, temporary hemodialysis catheters, paracentesis, thoracentesis, pigtails catheters, intubation, cardioversion, and lumbar puncture.

3. Explain the necessity, preparation, nature and anticipated effects of procedure(s) to patients, patient family, staff, and healthcare learners.

4. Participate in and lead multidisciplinary rounds.

5. Provide first contact for critical care consultations in select cases outside of the ICU service.

6. Assess patient for change in status and institute appropriate interventions, compatible with their training, and initiate necessary emergency interventions to stabilize patient.

7. Formulate and implement treatment plan for acute illness management in collaboration with the designated primary supervising physician and/or attending back-up physician(s).

8. Document in medical records and appropriate narrative summaries. Bill as a practitioner when appropriate as per ICU service guideline.

9. Provide family-centered care by communicating with the family regarding the hanging health care needs of their family member. Assess family adaptation, coping.

10. Other duties as assigned.

Consistently provides service excellence to all patients, family members, visitors, volunteers and co-workers in a manner that reflects Cape Cod Hospital’s commitment to CARES: compassion, accountability, respect, excellence and service.

Qualifications:

• Graduate of an accredited Physician Assistant Program.

• Documentation of registration for next NCCPA Board administration or successful completion of NCCPA Board and maintenance of appropriate CME.

Licensure, Certification, Registration:

• Certification and current license to practice in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

• DEA number and Mass Department of Public Health Division of Food and Drug Restricted Substances registration number as appropriate. Written prescription privilege protocols signed by all attending’s with whom the individual will be working.

• Demonstrates the ability to be thoroughly trained to meet organizational standards.

• Adept at communication with patients and staff.

• Must be proficient in the placement and management of Vascular Access catheters including arterial catheters, and central venous catheters.

• Must be able to perform basic Ventilator management.

• Successful candidate must have critical care advanced practitioner experience.

Schedule Details: Per Diem, Rot Days, Nights, 12-hr. Shifts: 7a-7p & 7p-7a, Occ. Weekends & Holidays

Organization: Cape Cod Hospital

Department: CCH-PH-Intensivists