Company :

Job Description : 

GENERAL OVERVIEW:

This role is an integral part of the care delivery system, prioritizing customer care to foster a healing environment. The incumbent provides specialty and critical care healthcare services within their Physician Assistant's scope of practice, specifically focusing on the management of Cardio Thoracic Surgery patients under the direct supervision of a physician. This includes managing medical and/or procedural problems for specific populations, addressing acute and chronic health conditions across various settings such as physician offices, non-acute facilities, and inpatient environments. Key responsibilities involve comprehensive pre-operative assessment and optimization of cardiac and thoracic surgical patients, diligent post-operative management including critical care recovery, and ongoing care for patients with acute and chronic cardiac and thoracic conditions. The position adheres to applicable scope and standards of practice, as well as the organization's policies, values, and mission. Responsibilities may include specialty certification and advanced procedures with appropriate privileging. Depending on the specific role and setting, this position may require rotational coverage, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and on-call duties, sometimes within a 24/7 coverage model.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Facilitates effective diagnostic and emergency care for Cardio Thoracic Surgery patients in both outpatient and acute inpatient settings. Proactively orders and interprets a comprehensive array of laboratory, advanced radiological (including cardiac-specific imaging), and specialized diagnostic studies to inform cardio thoracic patient management. Independently institutes immediate emergency measures and stabilization techniques for acute patient situations, and ensures rapid communication with the attending physician or covering provider regarding any significant patient status changes or critical findings. (20%)

• Encompasses preparing and electronically prescribing a full range of medications, safely administering medications and injections; performing minor bedside surgical procedures relevant to cardio thoracic care (e.g., chest tube management, wound care); and executing complex specialty-specific procedures within specific environments. (10%)

• Actively coordinates complex care needs with patients, families, external community services, and the entire interdisciplinary team, initiating timely consultations with the attending physician for cases exceeding PA-C scope or requiring higher-level medical decision-making. (10%)

• Provides specialized care for Cardio Thoracic Surgery patients in critical care and inpatient settings, ensuring all medical record documentation is accurate, complete, and timely to reflect the complexity of care provided in all environments. (10%)

• Educates Cardio Thoracic Surgery patients and their families on health and illness prevention, medication, and treatment instructions, and recommend community resources as needed.  Ensures seamless continuity of care and maintains highly effective communication across the entire care continuum, from outpatient visits to inpatient admissions and post-discharge follow-up. This can include conducting daily inpatient hospital rounds, meticulously documenting patient progress and care plans in both settings, and triaging patient calls and inquiries from the clinic related to cardio thoracic concerns. (10%)

• Institutes emergency measures, stabilize acute patient situations (e.g., cardiac arrest, respiratory distress post-surgery), perform hospital rounds on cardio thoracic patients, and communicate significant patient changes to the attending physician promptly. (10%)

• Engages in mandatory professional continuing education, participate in quality improvement initiatives, and ensure ongoing compliance with medical staff and organizational standards. (10%)

• Performs specialized procedures such as assisting in surgical procedures (specifically Cardio Thoracic surgeries), interventional cardiology (if applicable and privileged), or fluoroscopic procedures under supervision, and contributes to the education of trainees and professional staff within the Cardio Thoracic specialty. (10%)

• Performs all other duties as assigned or required, including specialty-specific procedures and expectations as stated with privileging and job agreement.  (10%)

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required

• Master’s degree in Physician Assistant Studies

• Current PA Physician Assistant License  

• PA-C or board eligible.  

Substitutions

• Four to ten years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Preferred

• 1 year of physician Assistant experience in specialty or procedure-based setting

​Additional Employment Requirements:

• Ongoing successful recertification (NCCPA) as a PA-C within 90 days of hire

• Drug Enforcement Agency Licensure within 60 days of hire

• ACLS Certification  

• CPR/BLS - American Heart Association  

• Act 33 Child Abuse Clearance Certificate  

• Act 34 Criminal Background Clearance Certificate  

• Act 73 FBI Fingerprinting Criminal Background Clearance Certificate  

Disclaimer: The job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and essential duties and responsibilities of work performed by employees within this job title. It may not contain a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees to do this job.

Compliance Requirement: This job adheres to the ethical and legal standards and behavioral expectations as set forth in the code of business conduct and company policies.

As a component of job responsibilities, employees may have access to covered information, cardholder data, or other confidential customer information that must be protected at all times.  In connection with this, all employees must comply with both the Health Insurance Portability Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) as described in the Notice of Privacy Practices and Privacy Policies and Procedures as well as all data security guidelines established within the Company’s Handbook of Privacy Policies and Practices and Information Security Policy. 

Furthermore, it is every employee’s responsibility to comply with the company’s Code of Business Conduct. This includes but is not limited to adherence to applicable federal and state laws, rules, and regulations as well as company policies and training requirements.

Highmark Health and its affiliates prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on any category protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

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