Physician Assistant - Cardiothoracic Surgery

Cardiac Surgery Associates (CSA), the largest private practice cardiothoracic surgery group in the U.S. (openheart.net), is recruiting a Physician Assistant to join our busy and expanding Iowa team, practicing in Davenport, IA. The PA will work alongside our employed PA first assisting our highly skilled CSA surgeons on advanced cardiac and thoracic surgeries with a broad range of case complexity.

Responsibilities

• Perform and document complete, accurate history and physical (H&P) assessment.
• In collaboration with surgeon, determine patient care plans, treatment, and interventions.
• Provide direct patient and family education regarding patient medical condition/disease process.
• Intra-operative responsibilities include: First assisting, endo vein harvest, place and/or remove chest tubes, and femoral/venous line insertions.
• Willingness to learn central line placement and limited transthoracic echo.
• Post-operative responsibilities include caring for patients by monitoring their recovery, ordering/reviewing lab tests/results and discussing any questions/concerns with the surgeon.
• Order, perform and interpret diagnostic tests and accurately communicate results to patient. Complete documentation and report abnormal findings to supervising physician.
• Perform postoperative incision care including dressing changes.
• Remove chest tubes, central lines, temporary pacemaker wires, sutures, staples and surgical drains.
• Handles discharge planning and dictate discharge summaries.
• Provide on call coverage.
• Weekend rounding.
• Office tasks include: Same day visits, office procedures and calling patients to report results and/or answer questions. Seeing patients in office is intermittent. It is the primary responsibility of the program's full time NP to handle day to day office tasks.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. Graduate of an accredited PA program with master's degree in Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS), Health Services (MHS), Medical Science (MMS) or Doctor of Science Physician Assistant (DscPA).
• Licensure: Current IN license and certification by Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (NCCPA), IN CSR and DEA.
• At least 2 years' experience as a Physician Assistant in Cardiothoracic Surgery and be proficient in both endovascular and open vein harvesting desired; open radial harvest experience preferred.
• Other Job Requirements: Well developed and demonstrable communication skills required; strong inter-personal and collaborative skills with physicians, healthcare professionals, hospital and agency staff; strong decision-making skills that support patient care needs, ethical standards, legal compliance and fiscal integrity.