Cardiac Surgery Physician Assistant (PA), Cardiology Clinic, Full Time, Days

Larkspur, CA

ABOUT MARINHEALTH a UCSF Affiliate

Come and be a part of our healing team at the award-winning MarinHealth! MarinHealth Medical Network is a medical foundation representing the physicians, their care teams, and office staff, who previously operated under Prima Medical Foundation or the Marin Healthcare District. The network includes more than 150 providers in 20 locations throughout the North Bay. Thanks to a strategic alliance, Medical Network practices are part of UCSF Health and our services are backed by the expertise of our trusted community hospital, MarinHealth Medical Center, ranked in the top 3% of general hospitals in the country. As Marin County’s only acute hospital and a vital resource for a wide range of essential health care services, it is our mission—and our passion—to excel in every medical specialty. We attract the finest physicians and employees who appreciate having the best of both worlds: the resources and medical sophistication of an academic medical center combined with the personalized, caring touch of an independent hospital.

 

WHAT WE OFFER

At MarinHealth, our people truly matter and we are committed to supporting them both personally and professionally throughout their career with us. Our comprehensive Total Rewards program is designed to accommodate and provide flexibility for the diverse and changing needs of our employees – ensuring they and their loved ones are provided for both today and tomorrow.

Some of our notable benefits and perks:

• Medical - We offer you a choice of two medical plans – a PPO plan and a pocket-friendly HMO option! (Have coverage elsewhere? You can receive a stipend each month!)
• Dental - Our plan covers preventive services in full with no deductible or copay
• Vision -  Benefit from eye exams, glasses and contact lenses through our vision plan
• Paid Time Off – Accrual begins immediately and grows the longer you stay
• CME & Professional Expenses: Up to $4,000 allowance per year for reimbursements for such things as License Renewal, Professional Memberships, DEA Renewal, and Educational Events
• 401(k) Retirement Program – Employer-sponsored retirement plan with an employer match of not less than 3%
• Additional Insurances - Basic Term Life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment, and Short/Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Other Perks - Commuter Benefit Program, Wellness Discounts, and so much more!

As a member of our team, you will have the opportunity to work with a talented and diverse group of healthcare professionals who are passionate about providing exceptional care to our patients. You will also have access to cutting-edge technology, training programs, and professional development opportunities that will help you grow in your career. 

 

COMPENSATION: $162,302 - $218,712 annually
Pay scale for this role is benchmarked against a third-party source regarded as the gold standard for provider compensation data

 

JOB SUMMARY:

The Cardiac Surgery Physician’s Assistant (PA) position has clinical, procedural, administrative and educational responsibilities in the care of adult patients requiring cardiac surgery. Under the supervision of UCSF’s Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery and the Director of Cardiovascular Services, the Cardiac Surgery PA will have a critical role in the inpatient setting, with both team member and individual duties. These responsibilities will include preoperative and postoperative patient examination and assessment, diagnosis and planning; treatment implementation, coordination and continuity; performance of specific procedures; development of practice protocols and evaluation of quality of care; education of patients, families and other health care practitioners. The incumbent also participates in clinical effectiveness/research studies, support clinical staff education/professional development and community outreach activities.  Population served includes adults and geriatrics. The Cardiac Surgery PA will also have responsibilities in the ambulatory clinic setting alongside the cardiac surgeons. The Cardiac Surgery PA has primary contacts with patients/families, the Cardiac Surgery Medical Director, UCSF’s Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery, and Medical Director, as well as referring physicians and their office staff, Nursing, Clinical Laboratory, Noninvasive Cardiology, Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory, Electrophysiology Laboratory, Medical Records, Business Services and other hospital departments and the community at large.

 

JOB SPECIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION

• Must have completed an AAPA recognized graduate master’s degree program as a physician assistant. Must hold an active and current California Physician Assistant License (PA).

EXPERIENCE

• Knowledge of current cardiac medical practice as it relates to CT surgery; knowledge of adult educational planning, implementation and evaluation.
• Minimum 1 year related adult Cardiothoracic/Cardiovascular patient care experience as a physician assistant and/or minimum 1 year of adult ICU experience as a physician assistant in a Cardiothoracic ICU/Coronary Care Unit/Cardiovascular ICU setting
• At least 1 year of OR First Assist and endoscopic vein harvesting (EVH) experience at a high-volume center

PREREQUISITE SKILLS

Demonstrated excellent communication skills, both oral and written, are necessary.  Clinical research skills, basic computer skills (access, enter and retrieve data; Word, and Excel skills preferred).  Must be able to work with autonomy, adaptability, flexibility and maintain composure during pressures and adverse conditions and work as an effective team member in a collaborative role with other disciplines.

LICENSE/REGISTRATION/CERTIFICATION:

• Must hold an active and current California Physician Assistant License (PA). Adult care required
• Must hold current national board certification by first day of work and maintain
• Must have submitted enrollment with CMS Medicare and Medicaid through the credentialing process by first clinical day.
• BLS and ACLS within one year of hire
• Non-Physician Medical Staff Privileging with MarinHealth Medical Center within one year of hire
• Must hold a valid Controlled Substance Registration Certificate from both the California Department of Public Health and the Drug Enforcement Administration
• Must complete a minimum 30 hours of pharmacology continuing education every 6 years or as required to maintain prescriptive privilege
• Written practice guidelines will be maintained on site, reviewed, and updated annually by the PA and collaborating MD, or medical director

PATIENT PRIVACY (HIPAA Compliance):

Employees in this position have access to protected health information.  The protected health information a person in this position can access includes demographics, date of service, insurance/billing, medical record summary information, and all other information that may be contained in patient records.  This position requires patient health information to perform the functions outlined as part of this position description.

 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Work with physicians/surgeons/APP colleagues and other clinical and administrative staff to ensure efficient patient management based on accepted practice, including but not limited to, taking histories, performing comprehensive or focused physical examinations, peri-operative planning/coordinating with anesthesia/outside providers and (primary care providers) PCPs as applicable, responding to changes in patient status, providing needed prescriptions/evaluations/referrals/diagnostic tests/treatments as permitted under their practice agreement and standardized procedures.
• Evaluate for and order home health services, durable medical equipment (DME), Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) certifications, refer for consultations, physical therapy (PT), radiographic imaging or diagnostic tests, and specialized treatments (e.g. chemotherapy with the approved privilege).
• Provide patient and family education, arrange follow-up appointments, and engage in any approved privileges after the PA has demonstrated competency through proctoring and FPPE process. OMAG will identify independent practice for approved privileges on the ECHO website and procedural activity will be entered by the provider and monitored via the elog system.
• May act as first assist in the operating room, performing procedures, performing consults, and billable critical care time
• Supports inpatient activities including daily rounding, progress notes, orders, referrals, results reviews, discharge planning, and coordinating care
• Analyze data to determine health status
• Order and interpret laboratory tests and other diagnostic tests for the purpose of diagnosis and/or screening
• Make independent decisions regarding management and treatment of medical problems identified
• Formulate a plan of care with patient and/or family
• Initiate appropriate non-pharmacologic interventions
• Prescribe medication in accordance with state prescriptive guidelines
• Provide appropriate patient discharge planning and/or education
• Provides patient care and bills independently in the outpatient setting, including performing telehealth and performing procedures
• Provides patient care through shared encounters with a physician enabling clinic to increase access or physician focus on new or complex patients, including first assist in surgical procedures
• Supports patient care on OP encounter clinical activity. Examples include: care coordination, reviewing test results, in-basket management, support via medication and diagnostic test ordering and interpretation of test results, respond to messages and phone calls.
• Supports non-billable visits that allow surgeon/physician to create additional patient access. May include non-billable care falling in the global payment period. Examples are: Pre and Post follow-up in surgical global fee period and completing their own non-billable clinical activity; such as care coordination, reviewing test results, in-basket management, medication and diagnostic test ordering and interpretation of test results, responding to messages and phone calls.
• Provide information, instruction and counseling on health maintenance, health promotion, social problems, illness prevention, illness management and medication use
• Obtain informed consent from clients for CT surgery interventions prior to procedures
• Track outcome of interventions and provide additional intervention as necessary for optimum results
• Seek collaboration or referral to collaborating physician and other health care providers or agencies as needed
• Assess cultural, social and economic factors for each client and tailor care to those factors
• Manage care of clients in a way that balances quality and cost
• Represent the practice, hospital and PA profession at the state and federal level addressing bills concerning medical treatment and financial issues in healthcare
• Participate in professional meetings, committees, seminars, and other continuing education to keep abreast in professional practice, to enhance professional growth, to meet professional standards and maintain current certification
• Any other responsibility that is deemed appropriate within the role of the CT Surgery PA
• Administrative-Clerical Duties
• Document findings and plan of care in medical record
• Complete test requisitions
• Complete referral and consultation requisitions
• Coordinate scheduling of patient visits
• Arrange hospital admissions
• Coordinate care of patients.
• Enhance communication between departments, referring physicians, hospitals and/or community agencies
• Dictate discharge, H&P, interval notes, or follow-up summaries
• Function under guidelines of HIPAA

 

SECONDARY

• Perform therapeutic or corrective measures including urgent care
• Provide specific specialty interventions or procedures as outlined on attached specialty form
• Screen, evaluate, and manage patients in CT clinical trials as applicable
• Correspond with insurers, employers, government agencies, and other healthcare providers about established clients as necessary
• Teach groups of staff or clients about health-related topics
• Participate in supporting the education/professional development of clinical
• Provide outreach health education services to the community
• Participate in the development of health education materials
• Perform other duties as assigned

WORKING CONDITIONS:

GENERAL

The length of a typical day can vary from 8-12 hours, but specific hours and days of work can vary based upon department needs.  During hours of work, the CT Surgery PA will typically be on a nursing unit or in the office.  Interruptions by people, telephone calls, pages, or written memos require smooth and rapid transfer from one task to another.  The atmosphere on a unit can be crowded, hectic and noisy.  Physical work is generally light but patient care demands require ability to do occasional heavy lifting.

MarinHealth remains committed to the health and safety of our employees, patients, and the entire community. As such, MarinHealth requires employees to receive all required immunizations, including, MMR, flu (seasonal availability), and COVID-19 vaccine + booster, as a condition of employment and annually thereafter, as required. Any exemptions from these requirements may be granted for limited and specific situations.

Additional Information

• Department: 9309 - Cardiac Surgery
• Job Schedule: Full Time - 40 hours/week
• Job Shift: Day
• Hours per Two-Week Period: 80
• Shift Hours: 8 Hour Shift
• Job Number: MHMN20 - 615