Position: Physician Assistant - Cancer Center - PRN
Shift: PRN
Location: University of Maryland Medical System

General Summary

Under the direction and supervision of a licensed physician, provides patient care for UMMS. Performs professional duties and technical procedures of the particular area of specialty to provide health care services, such as, operative procedures, suturing, and injections. Makes initial diagnosis and orders appropriate tests and treatment. Assists in surgery where applicable.

Principal Responsibilities and Tasks

The following statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by personnel so classified.

• Daily clinical responsibilities include:
  • Regularly visits pre- and post-operative patients, independently or with attending physician and/or students, to monitor patient progress in accordance with Medical System policies and procedures and generally accepted professional practice and The Joint Commission standards
    • Rounds on inpatients to monitor patient progress in accordance with policies and procedures; relays any problems or concerns to physician. Writes progress notes in-patient charts indicating patient status and treatment or procedures performed.
    • Orders laboratory tests, x-rays and special tests and dressing changes.
    • Reviews patient records to determine health status.
    • Notifies attending physician on call, house physician on call or supervising physician (or surgeon) regarding any unusual or unexpected events or problems requiring direct physician consultation.
    • Writes orders, including those of narcotics, stimulants and depressant drugs as necessary.
    • Assists in the preoperative planning and documentation in keeping with protocols. Duties include obtaining necessary clinical photography, measurement and construction of frame prior to surgery. Collects bone measurement data and records for future reference and research purposes.
  • Interviews patients for health history and performs physical examinations. Obtains thorough medical histories to include allergies, past medical conditions, current meds review of systems, family history, social history, present illness and performing complete physical examinations of patients according to established procedures and schedules.
  • Answers patient calls promptly; researches, investigates and resolves patient problems to the satisfaction of the patient and the physician. Alerts the appropriate medial personnel regarding patient problems as needed.
    • May take call during non-routine working hours to assist attending physicians in urgent and emergency procedures.
  • Performs clinical procedures such as the application of dressings and bandages, casting and splinting, removal and adjustment of frames, suturing, and administration of medications. Performs these tasks independently, using universal precautions and following prescribed protocols of the hospital.
  • First and second assistance during surgery requires: prepping and draping patients, placing foley catheter, giving pre and post operative health care instruction to the patient, and transporting the patient from the O.R. to the PACU.
• Demonstrates competent skill as an advanced practice provider in the field of specialty
  • Demonstrates competency in clinical assessment and decision-making including diagnostic reasoning and problem solving.
  • Participates in development of evidence based practices for a specific population.
  • Serves as interdisciplinary team leader or committee chair that leads initiatives to improve patient outcomes.
  • Demonstrates ethic