Join a Premier Academic Cardiac Surgery Operating Room

Tufts Medical Center is seeking an experienced and highly motivated Physician Assistant to join our Cardiac Surgery team as an Operating Room-focused advanced practice provider. This is a unique opportunity to work alongside nationally recognized cardiac surgeons in a high-acuity academic medical center performing some of the most complex cardiac procedures in New England.

This position functions as a surgical first assist within a high-acuity cardiac surgery program and participates in a wide range of cardiac surgical procedures, including coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), valve repair and replacement, aortic surgery, cardiac tumor resections, mechanical circulatory support procedures, and heart transplantation. Responsibilities may also include endoscopic and open conduit harvesting, including greater saphenous vein and radial artery procurement.

Job Profile Summary

These roles focus on providing high-quality patient care and promoting wellness. APCs work collaboratively with physicians and other healthcare professionals to diagnose and treat a variety of acute and chronic conditions. In addition, this role focuses on care under the supervision of licensed physicians including conducting comprehensive patient assessments, ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests, diagnosing and treating acute and chronic conditions, injuries, and illnesses, developing and implementing treatment plans in collaboration with supervising physicians, prescribing medications and performing procedures, educating patients and families on treatment options, health maintenance, and preventive care and adjusting treatment plans as necessary. A management role that supervises employees focusing on tactical, operational activities within a specified area, with the majority of time spent overseeing area of responsibility, planning, prioritizing and/or directing the responsibilities of employees. Goal achievement is typically accomplished through performance of direct and/or indirect reports. A role that supervises para-professional employees. Responsibilities that typically include: Setting day-to-day operational objectives for team, problems faced may be difficult but typically are not complex, and ensures policies, practices and procedures are understood and followed by direct reports, customers and stakeholders.

Job Overview

This position reports to the Division Chief and Vice-President of Ambulatory Services and is responsible for the direction of the Physician Assistants, including arrangement of schedules, staffing during vacations, direction of orientation programs, formulation of in-service training programs and staff development. Acts as a liaison between adult and pediatric patients and families and physicians. Performs the clinical responsibilities of a staff physician assistant. Provides continuity of care for adult and pediatric patients during the course of fulfilling the tasks of a staff physician assistant. Participates in committees and task forces as directed by the Division Chief.

Job Description

Minimum Qualifications:

1. Bachelors degree.

2. Successful completion of a Physicians Assistant program.

3. Physicians Assistant Certification within one (1) year of hire.

4. Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.

5. Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification.

6. Five (5) year of Physicians Assistant experience.

7. State and federal controlled substances registration.

Preferred Qualifications:

1. Masters degree.

2. Two (2) years of Physicians Assistant experience.

3. Bilingual.

Duties and Responsibilities: The duties and responsibilities listed below are intended to describe the general nature of work and are not intended to be an all-inclusive list. Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned.

1. Orients and trains new physician assistants, coordinates schedules and vacation coverage.

2. Develops, refines and updates physician assistant job descriptions; develops behavioral objectives and performs initial evaluation of physician assistant students.

3. Prepares educational lectures on adult and pediatric topics for nursing and other ancillary personnel.

4. Serves on hospital committees as designated by the Division Chief; reviews and updates division protocols for adult and pediatric patient care for approval by the Division Chief.

5. Directs and supervises assigned personnel including performance evaluations, scheduling, orientation, and training. Makes recommendations on employee hires, transfers, promotions, salary changes, discipline, terminations, and similar actions. Addresses grievances and other personnel problems within position responsibilities. Provides effective direction, guidance, and leadership over the staff for effective teamwork and motivation.

6. Develops, recommends, and manages budgets for the areas managed. Coordinates the assignment of tasks for the efficient utilization of available resources.

7. Maintains credentialing and licensure for Physician Assistant staff.

8. Oversees schedules and approvals for payroll reporting, dues and membership for Physician Assistant staff.

9. Obtains a detailed medical history and performs a comprehensive physical examination on adult and pediatric patients.

10. Performs preoperative preparation of adult and pediatric patients and reinforces information presented by the attending physician to the patient and/or family as necessary. Coordinates necessary tests, consultations, and procedures as indicated or requested by the attending physician.

11. First or second assists on routine and complex adult and pediatric surgical procedures as necessary. Positions and preps patients, performs operative assistance as requested, transcribes operative notes and postoperative orders in accordance with service protocols, accompanies patients to recovery room or intensive care units.

12. Performs bedside diagnostic and therapeutic invasive procedures on adult and pediatric patients as indicated or directed by the attending surgeon, including but not limited to thoracentesis, tube thoracostomy, central venous lines, Swan-Ganz catheter insertion, wound debridement, and endotracheal intubation.

13. Performs basic and advanced cardiac life support procedures as necessary and directs these efforts until the arrival of a senior physician.

14. Prepares adult and pediatric patients for discharge, including patient and family discharge teaching, continuing care and rehabilitation arrangements, writing discharge prescriptions, and confirming primary care or referring physician follow-up.

15. Prescribes pre and postoperative medications for adult and pediatric patients in accordance with service policies and/or attending physicians instructions.

16. Under the direction of the attending surgeon, executes a wide range of management plans for adult and pediatric patients.

17. Cares for adult and pediatric patients of the surgical services in the emergency department and outpatient clinics.

18. Dictates formal discharge summaries of adult and pediatric patients for the attending surgeons review and signature.

19. Participates in the education of students and residents assigned to the surgical services.

20. Maintains collaborative team relationships with peers and colleagues in order to effectively contribute to the working groups achievement of goals, and to help foster a positive work environment.

Skills & Abilities:

1. Possesses the ability to care for critically ill adult and pediatric patients with a broad range of medical problems.

2. Effective Interpersonal skills needed for interacting with physicians, staff, patients and their families, and so forth.

3. Excellent analytical skills needed for evaluating patients and coordinating treatment plans.

4. Possesses the maturity, self-confidence, and ability to follow complex patient management plans as directed by the attending surgeon.

5. Possesses the ability to supervise and coordinate the activities of several physician assistants.

6. Possesses a high level of verbal and written communication skills in order to develop and implement educational programs, evaluate staff, and treat patients.

At Tufts Medicine, we want every individual to feel valued for the skills and experience they bring. Our compensation philosophy is designed to offer fair, competitive pay that attracts, retains, and motivates highly talented individuals, while rewarding the important work you do every day.

The base pay ranges reflect the minimum qualifications for the role. Individual offers are determined using a comprehensive approach that considers relevant experience, certifications, education, skills, and internal equity to ensure compensation is fair, consistent, and aligned with our business goals.

Beyond base pay, Tufts Medicine provides a comprehensive Total Rewards package that supports your health, financial security, and career growth1 of the many ways we invest in you so you can thrive both at work and outside of it.

Pay Range: