• Employment Type: Full Time
• Shift: Rotating
• Location: Boston, MA

This position is responsible for being the primary lead for the General Surgery Physician Assistants. The primary responsibilities include working with the Attending Physician and Chief Resident in developing and maintaining the weekly coverage schedule, staffing during vacations, direction of orientation programs, formulation of in-service training programs and staff development. Also is the lead contact for the Tufts Medical School Physician Assistant Clinical Rotation program. Acts as a liaison between department management and physicians. Participates in committees and task forces as directed by the Chair or Director.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Lead Duties
• Orients and trains new Physician Assistants
• Coordinates schedules and vacation coverage
• Provides direction, guidance and leadership for effective teambuilding to the team of Physician Assistants
• Assists Management in the development of behavioral objectives and the initial evaluation of new Physician Assistants or Physician Assistant students
• Serves on hospital committees as designated by the Chair; reviews and updates protocols for patient care for approval by the Chair
• Clinical
• Manages a broad spectrum of surgical and medical adult and pediatric patients and performs a wide range of clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic procedures
• Performs initial evaluation of outpatients, which includes obtaining medical history and performing physical examinations.
• Presents this information and confers with attending physicians to determine treatment plan.
• Coordinates elements of treatment plan and monitors patient progress and adherence to treatment plan. Insures that equipment or therapies recommended are obtained or carried out in a reasonable time.
• Provides routine medical care such as minor dressing changes, drawing blood and evaluation of medication requests.
• Provides health education and health maintenance services.
• Responsible for triage and referral to appropriate source when primary care patients present with new symptoms.
• Assists, on an as needed basis, in other areas such as inpatient care and consultation services.
• Management of the inpatient Service. Makes rounds with residents, completes daily patient management assignments and assists with patient care and disposition. Handles medical emergencies during regular working hours on the inpatient service.
• Responsible for pre-admission history and physicals. This will include routine assessment, as well as identifying special problems and ordering appropriate testing and/or consultation. Responsible for ascertaining whether patient is medically ready for surgery.

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS:

• Reports to the Department Chair/Administrative Director.
• Relates to referring physicians.

JOB KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• Must demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to assess the needs of patients of all different age groups and to provide care appropriately.
• Certification by the American Academy of Physician Assistants.
• Interpersonal skills needed for interacting effectively with physicians, staff, patients and their families, and so forth.
• Analytical skills needed for evaluating patients, coordinating treatment plans and so forth.
• Bilingual skills preferred.

EDUCATION:

• Successful completion of a Physicians Assistant program lasting 22 to 24 months beyond a Bachelors Degree.
• BLS Certification

EXPERIENCE:

• Three to 5 years Physician Assistant experience preferred.

An equivalent combination of education and experience, which provides proficiency in the areas of responsibility listed above, may be substituted for the above education and experience requirements.

LICENSES, ETC.:

• Requires Massachusetts Physicians Assistant Licensure.

AGE SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES:

• Possesses the skills and knowledge to provide care to the age group of the population serviced including:
• Knowledge of growth and development
• Ability to interpret age specific data and response to care
• Provide age specific communication

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Outpatient/Inpatient clinic care area.
• Continuous exposure to sick patients and bodily substances.
• Work requires frequent lifting patients.

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES STATEMENT:

Must be able to perform all essential functions of this position with reasonable accommodation if disabled.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be construed, as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified. Tufts Medical Center reserves the right to modify position duties at any time, to reflect process improvements and business necessity.

COVID-19 POLICY:

Please note that effective October 1, 2021, as a condition of employment at Tufts Medical Center, all employees and new hires must have received their complete dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, unless they have been granted an exemption.