GENERAL SUMMARY/ OVERVIEW STATEMENT:

The physician assistant (PA) is a licensed provider who has acquired a broad range of knowledge and skills through the successful completion of a physician assistant program. The PA is responsible for the assessment and management of various populations of patients, medical and/or surgical, including diagnostic and therapeutic interventions, development of appropriate plans of care and ongoing evaluation. The physician assistant works under the supervision of an attending physician and reports directly to the department administrator or chief physician assistant administratively.

The PA will perform in accordance with all state and federal regulations and institutional policies including but not limited to the BWH PA Scope of Practice, Prescriptive Guidelines, approved clinical privileges, and BWH PA policy.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Principle Clinical Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provides direct care, counseling, and teaching to a designated patient population in the ambulatory, inpatient, operative, and/or procedural setting
• Performs complete histories and physical examinations
• Orders, interprets, and evaluates appropriate laboratory and diagnostic tests
• Develops appropriate plans of care and follow-up based on the outcomes of diagnostic, laboratory, and physical examination findings
• Orders medications and writes prescriptions according to organizational and regulatory policies and procedures
• Consistently provides high quality and timely documentation including admission and progress notes, procedure notes, operative notes and discharge summaries
• Performs bedside procedures as are appropriate to the patient population
• In some settings, the PA may first assist in the operating room or procedural areas
• Practices cost effective medicine in an efficient manner, maximizing available resources
• Discusses patient data with other physicians and professionals as appropriate in a multidisciplinary setting
• Demonstrates expert clinical judgment skills to function in an independent role
• Additional duties and responsibilities as required by the department/division

Non-Clinical Duties and Responsibilities:

• Demonstrates professional collaborative and consultative relationships with other providers
• Follows all designated prescriptive practices and monitoring requirements with the designated supervising physician and administrative report
• Participates in departmental and organizational committees and programs as appropriate and attends all required meetings, in-services, and professional trainings
• Maintains superior interpersonal and communication skills as a member of the healthcare team in order to collaborate effectively with patients, families, staff, and community health workers
• Remains actively involved in continuing education with a commitment to self and departmental growth
• Adheres to all established safety policies, procedures, and precautions; identifies potential or actual unsafe situations in the environment and takes measures to rectify the situation
• Demonstrates understanding of procedures, policies, and documentation required to ensure compliance with hospital standards of care
• Additional duties and responsibilities as required by the department/division

Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS:

• The appropriate candidate will have successfully completed a graduate level physician assistant program (Masters degree) accredited by the Accreditation and Review Committee for Physician Assistants (ARC-PA) or such other accrediting agency as may qualify a graduate to sit for the NCCPA certifying examination
• Certification by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) must be obtained prior to first day of employment
• Must hold a current valid license or be eligible for licensure as a physician assistant in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
• Must have or eligible for, and maintain, a current DEA registration and Massachusetts Controlled Substance Registration

SKILLS/ ABILITIES/ COMPETENCIES REQUIRED:

• Must have the ability to work in a high stress, dynamic, busy clinical setting with changing organizational climate
• Must have the ability to be self-directive and to demonstrate initiative in addressing the responsibilities of the position
• Must have the ability to utilize appropriate problem-solving and conflict resolution skills
• Must be energetic and quality driven and have a proven ability to be a productive member of a team dedicated to providing optimal patient care
• Must be proficient with BWH computer systems as needed to independently perform daily tasks (EMR, Epic preferred)
• Must maintain the highest degree of professional judgment under the supervision and guidance of a licensed physician

Working Conditions:

Work settings may include ambulatory clinics and treatment rooms, inpatient areas, intensive care units, operating rooms, and/or procedural areas including MR environments. There may be loud noises, noxious odors, and temperature extremes. A large portion of the workday may be spent either standing or walking and the position may require heavy lifting of equipment and patients.

The PA may be exposed to radiation, magnetic fields, potentially infectious bodily fluids, and sharp instruments such as needles and scalpels. Knowledge of Universal Precautions and proper use of surgical sharp instruments may be required. The consequences of contamination from bodily fluids or from being stuck with a sharp instrument include the possibility of physical harm to the employee or others. BWH is a fast paced, dynamic environment with a very large and complex patient volume; exposure to stress in the workplace is expected.

Supervisory Responsibility:

The Physician Assistant will not have supervisory responsibility; please refer to the addendum section for details.

Fiscal Responsibility:

The Physician Assistant may have elements of fiscal responsibility; please refer to the addendum section for details.

Addendum:

In the Department of Radiation Oncology, the Physician Assistant (PA) can expect to have the unique opportunity to work collaboratively with radiation oncology physicians, while also practicing independently within the Cancer Centers. While the PA can expect a relatively predictable work schedule planned whenever possible, scheduling variations may occur to cover clinical needs as they become apparent to the department/division/clinic. The ideal candidate for this role will have experience in solid tumor oncology or inpatient oncology and/or radiation oncology experience.

Department of Radiation Oncology Specific Responsibilities Include:

• • Independent follow up clinic or inpatient consult service providing time-intensive, expert supportive care to patients in routine requiring radiation therapy.
• • Review and manage patient communications using EPIC InBasket
• • Lead or assist in difficult conversations including goals of care discussions
• Assist navigating patients through their course of radiation therapy from consultation to readying for treatment to completion of care.
• • Independently manage the supportive care and urgent patient needs that occur during treatment in the weeks immediately after treatment, when toxicities are expected to peak
• • Prescribing pre-and post-treatment medications following physician consultation or in collaboration and subsequently instructing patients and families regarding medications
• • Evaluate and care for patients who are undergoing treatment concerning the acute and chronic effects from radiation therapy and review patient cases with supervising physician as appropriate
• • Formulating appropriate follow up for patient specific disease sites and educating patients on necessary follow up to mitigate side effects
• • Have a strong foundation in evaluating evidence-based care publications and applying this knowledge to patient treatment option education
• • Communicating and coordinating care within the multi-disciplinary team and ensuring timely referrals to other specialists when appropriate.
• • Recognizing situations which require the immediate attention of a physician and executing appropriately
• • Interact with insurance companies as needed to complete prior authorizations for required imaging studies.

EEO Statement

Brigham and Women's Hospital is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, or on basis of disability.