Job Description Job Title: Physician Assistant/ACNP, Staff, Thoracic Surgery, UPMC Altoona

Job ID: 625215

Status: Full-Time

Regular/Temporary: Regular

Hours: Daylight, Monday-Friday

Shift: Day Job

Facility:

Department: Heart_Vascular Instit

Location: 620 Howard Avenue, Altoona PA 16601

Description

Are you an Advanced Practice Provider who loves an upbeat environment, then consider a career with us!

UPMC Altoona, Thoracic Surgery in the Heart and Vascular Institute is hiring a full-time PA or ACNP for the site. The daylight position schedule is Monday through Friday. The role will primarily support operating room and outpatient services. The specialty is located in the HVI Suite at UPMC Altoona site. As a NP, the ACNP certification is required for this specialty.

Purpose:

The Staff Advanced Practice Provider (APP) is a Physician Assistant or Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner and a member of the care delivery team. The Staff APP is responsible to set the standards for the level and quality of care. The Staff APP has responsibility, authority and accountability for the provision of care through supervision by and collaboration with a physician. The Staff APP manages and provides patient care activities for a group of patients and their families through the application of independent judgment, communication and collaboration with all team members. The role of the Staff APP encompasses the beginnings of leadership, partnership, collaboration and supervision. The Staff APP establishes and maintains collaborative relationships with physicians, other health care providers, patients and their families, to achieve desired patient outcomes throughout the continuum of care. The Staff APP begins to demonstrate a commitment to the community and to their healthcare profession.

Responsibilities:

• Actively engages in clinical development of all members of the healthcare team. Requests opportunities to learn advanced professional practice techniques from senior healthcare team members. Seeks, accepts and utilizes performance feedback from peers, preceptors and unit/department Leaders as a learning opportunity and to improve practice.
• Communicates effectively, both verbally and in documentation. Demonstrates critical thinking in all areas of professional practice. Learns to incorporate acceptable standards of professional practice as well as business unit and health system's goals to improve patient safety, quality and satisfaction.
• Demonstrates a basic knowledge of research, how it affects practice and who/what resources are available to assist with evidence based practice by asking questions, demonstrating interest, participating in journal clubs. Clinical practice demonstrates knowledge of how quality and innovation impacts patient satisfaction, safety, and clinical quality outcomes. Identifies opportunities for improvement on the clinical area.
• Demonstrates accountability for professional development that improves the quality of professional practice and the quality of patient care. Makes recommendations for the improvement of clinical care and the health of the workplace and welcomes and participates in change initiatives. Leads by investing and building healthy relationships among colleagues and other disciplines.
• Demonstrates enthusiasm for continuous learning and identifies and creates a plan for the continuation of learning and development. Identifies patient and family needs for education and provides basic education to support the episode of care. Seeks professional development and involvement through membership in a professional organization and/or reading professional literature on a regular basis.
• Demonstrates the ability to communicate clearly and effectively with all members of the health care team. Begins to demonstrate awareness of cultural diversity, horizontal violence and impairment in the health professions. Cares for patients and self by supporting safety in the workplace.
• Formulates a plan of care that considers individual patient needs. Demonstrates initiative and seeks formal and informal opportunities to improve clinical practice. Seeks guidance and asks questions to continuously improve professional practice. Builds relationships with patient, families and colleagues. Identifies ethical situations within patient care or within the workplace and seeks assistance. Professionally accepts assignments that gradually increase patient load and complexity.
• Shows the ability to set priorities. Begins to serve as an engaged member of a team supporting colleagues in service to patients and families and may participate in task forces or other initiatives. Applies basic professional practice knowledge and skills appropriate for practice setting.

Qualifications

The individual must be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care and/or interact appropriately to the patients served as specified below. They must also demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and possess the ability to assess data reflective of the patients status and interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patients requirements relative to his/her age-specific needs and to provide the care needs as described in the department policy and procedures.

Graduate of a Physician Assistant or ACNP accredited program. National Board Certification is required.

Additional details:

• Coordinates physician schedule. Maintained a surgical case log.
• Rounds on the inpatients, saw consults, discharged patients and provided education. Fielded the nursing calls in the office and triage appropriately. See patients in the office on my own and in conjunction with physician.
• Surgical scheduling, surgical teaching pre and post- op, prescribing medications, chart review before a clinic or OR, reviewed all testing with the patients and set up appropriate follow up plan.
• Directs the lung cancer screening program - oversees the daily activities of the program, community outreach and provided outcomes

Special Skills and Abilities Required: Ability to establish and maintain positive, caring relationships with executives, managers, physicians, non-physician providers, ancillary and support staff, other departments, and patients/families. Ability to work productively and effectively within a complex environment, handle multiple/changing priorities and specialized equipment. Critical thinking, analytical and problem solving abilities required as related to various aspects of patient care. Good clinical judgment. Critical thinking skills necessary to exercise and to lead others in application of acceptable standards of practice. Mobility and visual manual dexterity. Physical stamina for frequent walking, standing, lifting and positioning of patients. This position is dependent upon successful attainment and maintenance of hospital privileges, if applicable to the Business Unit practice.

Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances:

CPR required based on AHA standards that include both a didactic and skills demonstration component within 30 days of hire

Act 34 Criminal Clearance

• Basic Life Support or Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation
• National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants
• Physician Assistant or Physician Assistant Osteopathic
• ACNP/RN

UPMC is an equal opportunity employer. Minority/Females/Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities Salary Range: $31.84 to $51.70

Union Position: No