Physician Assistant Only - Orthopaedics At River North Ambulatory Surgery Center, Full-Time,...

Job Description
Northwestern Medicine has an exciting opportunity for a Physician Assistant to work with our orthopaedic providers at the River North Ambulatory Surgery Center. The APP will be working with patients from a variety of orthopaedic subspecialties including sports, foot and ankle, and hand surgery. They will perform presurgical history and physical exams, patient education, procedural consent, acute post-surgical care and will be responsible for safely discharging patients from the PACU with appropriate medication reconciliation and discharge plan. The PA will work closely with the orthopaedic surgeons, orthopaedic APPs, anesthesia team and other support staff.
Schedule:
M-F, days;
no nights/weekend/holidays/on-call
Responsibilities
Clinical
Provides direct clinical care to patients and may be required to perform duties as surgical first-assist for various orthopaedic subspecialties as needed
Conducts comprehensive appraisals of patients health status by taking health histories and performing physical examinations in specialty area
Orders necessary medications needed in the preoperative area and intraoperatively
Prescribes medications, diet, supplies, prosthetic devices and other home health aides or medication according to clinical privileges
Orders and interprets appropriate laboratory tests, x-rays, electrocardiograms and diagnostic procedures specified in clinical privileges
Evaluates patients to determine their appropriateness for discharging home
Responsible for postoperative medication management and summaries as well as aftercare instructions
Teaches and counsels patients and families in post-surgical care, anticipated outcomes, and the use of prescribed treatments and drugs
Must be comfortable with basic procedural skills including casting/splinting, dressing changes, wound care and responsibilities as a surgical first-assist
Documents in the medical record all care provided and/or procedures performed
Serves as consultant to other disciplines in areas of expertise
Integrates research-based knowledge and clinical expertise in decision making
Exemplifies a professional image in appearance, manner and presentation
Maintains certifications and continuing education as required for licensure and privileging
Serves as a patient advocate and role model for "
Patients First"
Participates in unit/departmental/divisional or hospital committees/task forces as appropriate
May perform other duties as assigned
Administrative
Participate in appropriate quality assurance programs
Participate in Orthopaedic Surgery Department process improvement initiatives
Assist in development of patient and medical professional educational materials
Assist in the development of presurgical and postoperative protocols
Research
Participates in quality improvement and/or research initiatives for specific patient population as appropriate
Leadership/Organization
Mentors staff to ensure quality of health care practices
Assists with policy development and review in area of expertise
Participates in unit/departmental/divisional and/or hospital committees/task forces
Consults with management in assessment, problem solving, decision making, and evaluating clinical/system issues
Education
Provides comprehensive teaching to patients and their families
Willing to serve as a mentor and/or preceptor to students
Serve as a resource for the surgical service nursing staff, medical students and residents regarding surgery patient care
Quality and Outcomes:
Identifies primary patient needs, participates as applicable in the NMG quality program with focus on measures in patient satisfaction, quality performance, and access.
Perform and coordinate administrative and other clinical program duties as assigned or indicated.
Develop and monitor indicators of quality care and patient satisfaction for a specific patient population.
May perform other duties as assigned