Surgical Physician Assistant, First Assist - Surgical Oncology & Endocrine Surgery

Discover Vanderbilt University Medical Center :  Located in Nashville, Tennessee, and operating at a global crossroads of teaching, discovery, and patient care, VUMC is a community of individuals who come to work each day with the simple aim of changing the world. It is a place where your expertise will be valued, your knowledge expanded, and your abilities challenged. Vanderbilt Health is committed to an environment where everyone has the chance to thrive and where your uniqueness is sought and celebrated. It is a place where employees know they are part of something that is bigger than themselves, take exceptional pride in their work and never settle for what was good enough yesterday. Vanderbilt’s mission is to advance health and wellness through preeminent programs in patient care, education, and research. Organization: Surgical Oncology & Endocrine Surgery Job Summary: The Surgical Physician Assistant (PA) First Assistant works in collaboration with a multidisciplinary health care team including surgeons, advanced practice providers, and nurses. The candidate’s primary role will be to provide care in the operating room, acting as a first or second assistant to the primary surgeon for complex hepatopancreatobiliary (HPB) and GI cases. The candidate will be expected to become proficient in the performance of complex robotic, laparoscopic and open surgical cases. Prior experience in these cases/specialties is encouraged but not required. Other responsibilities may include pre-operative history and physical, progress notes, and education for the patient/family. The PA must have didactic education, clinical competency and national certification in identified area of clinical practice, including first assist competency. The PA demonstrates medical knowledge, clinical judgment, technical competence, professionalism, interpersonal communication skills, timely and compliant documentation, and is responsible for professional development and competency validation. The PA has an advanced knowledge of surgical interventions and the responsibilities of a first assistant in the operating room. . Department Summary: The Vanderbilt Division of Surgical Oncology and Endocrine Surgery, a part of the Vanderbilt Department of Surgery, has quickly become a national leader in comprehensive surgical care. Our emphasis is placed on the evaluation and treatment of patients with benign and malignant tissue disorders. We use a multidisciplinary approach to patient care and work closely to coordinate our efforts with the Divisions of Radiation Oncology, Medical Oncology, Gynecologic Oncology, Hematology, Surgical Pathology, Radiology and other disciplines. The Division is an integral part of the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center and the Vanderbilt Breast Center and provides specialized care through our Endocrine Surgery Center and Pancreas Center. Vanderbilt University Medical Center is a leader in our community and region. Our growing reputation, award winning faculty, clinical trainees and well-funded research result in an organization focused on high quality, compassionate, and innovative patient care. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Obtains and documents a health history; performs and documents complete, system-focused, or symptom-specific physical examination, assessment, and plan of care. In collaboration, provides healthcare services for primary, acute, and complex care of patients and manages patient's overall care, identifying expected outcomes for diagnoses specific to the surgical area. Performs first assistant role in the surgical environment (is there something from the FA job description) Orders, performs, interprets, and collects data using appropriate assessment techniques, relevant supporting diagnostic information and diagnostic procedures where indicated. Forms differential diagnoses and treats acute and chronic conditions. May prescribes therapeutic interventions both pharmacologic, non-pharmacologic and surgical, needed to achieve expected outcomes. Utilizes evidence-based, approved practice protocols in planning and implementing care. Initiates appropriate referrals and consultations Provides specialty specific consultation services upon request and within specialty scope of practice. Facilitates the patient’s transition between operative area and appropriate unit or recovery areas. TECHNICAL CAPABILITIES Health Systems and Policy Management (Advanced): Demonstrates sufficient fundamental proficiency in behaviors that reflect a commitment to continuous professional development, ethical practice, and a responsible attitude toward their patients, their profession and society. Participates in professional organizations and activities that influence advanced practice. Clinical Knowledge and Practice (Advanced): Demonstrates established and evolving biomedical, clinical and social sciences, and the application of their knowledge to patient care and the education of others. Demonstrates knowledge of population focus but also other sciences that support his/her field of practice. Demonstrates knowledge of common and important health issues affecting society and other societies around the globe. Demonstrates commitment in maintaining current evidence based knowledge through continuous learning. Educates patients, families, students and other members of the healthcare team in clinical topics and application of clinical knowledge. Patient and Family Centered Care (Advanced): Demonstrates care that is compassionate, appropriate and effective for the promotion of health, prevention of illness, treatment of disease and care at the end of life. Within scope of licensure and certification, manages previously diagnosed and undiagnosed patients. Uses health assessment skills to differentiate between normal, variations of normal, and abnormal findings. Employs screening and diagnostic strategies in the development of diagnoses. Prescribes medications within scope of practice. Ma