Physician Assistant Trauma

Overview:

Under the direction and supervision of the Surgical Intensivist, the Hackensack University Medical Center Physician Assistant Trauma Service manages a variety of patients in the critical care and intermediate care setting. This position serves as an advisor, resource, preceptor and leader for other members of the patient care team. The Hackensack University Medical Center Physician Assistant Trauma Service provides direct and indirect patient care optimizing patient safety to a patient population consisting of, but not limited to, clients from GI/GU, thoracic, vascular, neurosurgery, GYN oncology, trauma, OB-GYN, and orthopedic subspecialties. Trauma Unit 24/7 365 coverage, rotating night/day, weekends /holidays needed

1. Works in collaboration with the surgical intensivists, surgical attending physicians, surgical residents, and consulting physicians to deliver proficient care to the critical care and intermediate care patients 2. Provides coverage of the surgical and trauma ICU, working rotating shifts to include days, nights, weekends and holidays. 3. Demonstrates competency in performing all core functions and specialty functions as outlined in HUMC's delineation of clinical privileges for Critical Care Physician Assistants (see attached PA delineation of clinical privileges for Critical Care). 4. Assesses, diagnoses and clinically manages in accordance with current evidence based practices, patients in the critical care environment, with but not limited to the following diagnoses: cerebral edema, intracranial hypertension, traumatic brain injury, acute stroke, aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage, spinal cord injury, spinal column fractures, acute respiratory distress syndrome, refractory hypoxemia, flail chest, pneumothorax, hemothorax, visceral abdominal organ injury, bowel perforation, hemorrhagic shock, bacteremia, pneumonia, septic shock, cardiogenic shock, hypovolemic shock, complex long bone fractures, complex pelvic fractures, complex soft tissue injuries, amputation, acute compartment syndrome, complex cardiac dysrhythmias, rhabdomyolysis, unstable airway, abdominal organ transplantation, acute kidney injury, acute hepatic failure, acute coronary syndrome, acute myocardial infarction. 5. In collaboration with the attending Physician, requests the appropriate consultation. 6. Attends/conducts information and formal meetings with patients' families; provides emotional support to patients' families. 7. Demonstrates clinical expertise and utilizes advanced assessment skills in critical care management to propose interventions and/or action plan utilizing evidence-based research to achieve positive outcomes for patients and families. 8. Participates in the critical care staff and patient/family education process. Develops patient/family educational materials promoting current clinical practice guidelines. 9. Develops education programs for house staff, nursing, technicians, medical students etc. 10. Attends meetings such as patient care conferences, team meetings, staff or departmental Grand Rounds, training programs, seminars, mortality and morbidity conference etc. Incorporates appropriate material into evidence-based clinical practice. 11. Supports and demonstrates regulatory compliance related to quality standards and expectations, policies and procedures. 12. Adheres to all hospital infection control and safety policies and procedures. 13. Identifies opportunities and makes recommendations for process improvements resulting in optimized patient care 14. Works in a professional and collaborative manner with all staff and physicians. 15. Displays a commitment to the value of teamwork by building strong relationships with patients, families, coworkers and the surrounding community. Cooperates and collaborates to perform duties promoting a unified and spirited workplace. 16. Identifies the needs of the SICU patient population and modifies and delivers care that is specific to those needs (i.e., age, culture, language, hearing and/or visually impaired, etc.). This process includes communicating with the patient, parent, and/or primary caregiver(s) at their level (developmental/age, educational, literacy, etc.). 17. Adheres to the standards identified in the Medical Center's Organizational Competencies.

Education, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required: 1. Successful completion of an approved physician's assistant program, accredited by the AMA Council on Medical Education. 2. Master's degree. 3. Maintains PA delineation of clinical privileges for Critical Care via annual review. Education, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Preferred: Licenses and Certifications Required: 1. AHA Basic Health Care Life Support HCP Certification. 2. Advanced Cardiac Life Support Certification. 3. Physician Assistant License. 4. Certification by the National Commission for Certified Physician's Assistants (NCCPA) within one year of initial employment by the Medical Center.