Physician Assistant ONLY - Thoracic Surgery, Full-time, Days - Northwestern Memorial Healthcare

At Northwestern Medicine, every patient interaction makes a difference in cultivating a positive workplace. This patient-first approach is what sets us apart as a leader in the healthcare industry. As an integral part of our team, you'll have the opportunity to join our quest for better healthcare, no matter where you work within the Northwestern Medicine system. At Northwestern Medicine, we pride ourselves on providing competitive benefits: from tuition reimbursement and loan forgiveness to 401(k) matching and lifecycle benefits, we take care of our employees. Ready to join our quest for better?

Northwestern Medicine has an exciting opportunity for a Physician Assistant to join the Canning Thoracic Institute (CTI) as part of our Thoracic Surgery Team. CTI operates collaboratively across the Northwestern Medicine health system to advance our mission to deliver the highest quality care for patients with diseases of the chest, promote clinical innovation and discovery, and improve lung health in the Greater Chicago Community. This inpatient role includes rotating time in the OR, inpatient post-surgical unit, and as part of the Chest Procedure Service. OR procedures include robotic surgery, minimally invasive procedures (VATS/laparoscopic), and some open surgeries to include esophagectomy, lung resection, mediastinal mass resection, tracheal resection, hiatal hernia repairs, and trach/feeding tube placement. Chest procedure service is primarily bedside procedures including thoracentesis, chest tube/pigtail/pleurx placement, bedside fibrinolytic and talc pleurodesis, and bronchoscopy which the provider will be credentialed to perform procedures independently. Time is evenly split between each aspect (OR, floor) of the service.

Schedule: M-F, 4x10hr shifts with some weekend coverage and holiday coverage; no on-call         

The Physician Assistant reflects the mission, vision, and values of NMHC, adheres to the organizations Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines and all other regulatory and accreditation standards.

Responsibilities:

• Provides direct care to patients which demonstrates clinical expertise and advanced knowledge.
• Diagnoses and manages acute and chronic health problems within specialty area of practice.
• Collaborates and consults with physicians and other health care professionals in area of clinical expertise.
• Develops educational systems and strategies for teaching patients, families and staff on topics related to area of expertise.
• Mentors graduate students in aspects of advanced practice.
• Actively participates in and/or conducts research pertinent to area of expertise.

Clinical:

• Conducts comprehensive appraisals of patients health status by taking health histories and performing physical examinations in specialty area.
• Provides primary prevention strategies and management of stable health problems.
• Provides specialty care to assigned patients that may include both stable and unstable chronic health problems.
• Establishes diagnoses for common short-term or chronic health conditions.
• Prescribes medications, diet, supplies, prosthetic devices and other home health aides or medication according to clinical privileges.
• Orders and interprets appropriate laboratory tests, x-rays, electrocardiograms and diagnostic procedures specified in clinical privileges.
• Evaluates patients to determine their need for further health care.
• Teaches and counsels patients and families in preventive care, medical conditions, plan of care, anticipated outcomes, and the use of prescribed treatments and drugs.
• Documents in the medical record all care provided and/or procedures performed.
• Serves as consultant to other disciplines in areas of expertise.

Leadership/Organization:

• Mentors staff to ensure quality of health care practices.
• Assists with policy development and review in area of expertise.
• Participates in unit/departmental/divisional and/or hospital committees/task forces.
• Consults with management in assessment, problem solving, decision making, and evaluating clinical/system issues.

Education:

• Provides comprehensive teaching to patients and their families.
• Develops and participates in programs to meet continuing education needs of staff.
• Provides formal education to both internal and external groups pertinent to area of specialty.
• Willing to serve as mentor and/or preceptor to students.

Quality and Outcomes:

• Identifies primary patient needs, participates as applicable in the NMG quality program with focus on measures in patient satisfaction, quality performance, and access.
• Perform and coordinate administrative and other clinical program duties as assigned or indicated.
• Develop and monitor indicators of quality care and patient satisfaction for a specific patient population.
• May perform other duties as assigned

Required:

• Completion of an accredited Physician Assistant educational program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Physician Assistant Programs.
• Physician Assistant in Medicine, Licensed (IL).
• Physician Assistant certification by a national certifying body as approved by the Illinois Department of Regulation.
• Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers (American Heart Association) certification.
• Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certification required as specified by department.
• Controlled substance license and DEA registration required as specified by the department.

Preferred:

•  
• Previous surgical or procedure experience

Northwestern Medicine is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status.