Job Description

At NorthBay Health the Physician Assistant (PA), Neurological Surgery is responsible for performing the assessment of selected patients within the designated service line. The PA performs history and physical examinations, confers with patients in person and by phone/electronically, collaborates with others in the department to ensure a smooth pathway of patient care consistent with established quality indicators and participates in the overall coordination of patient care both inpatient and outpatient. The PA reports to the Practice Manager and Director for the Center for Neuroscience.

Practice Overview:

• Rotating 4 day, 10 hour shift schedule, 7AM – 5PM daily
• No nights, no weekends, no call
• Mix of critical care, inpatient, outpatient and surgical responsibilities
• Units to include ICU, OR, step-down, med/surg, surgi-center
• Outpatient clinic, (Independent pre-op, post-op and hospital f/u clinic; tandem clinics with Neurosurgeon)
• OR first assist

Join the NorthBay Neurosurgical Team: A group consisting of Neurosurgeons for a busy and growing neurosurgical practice (80% Spine, 20% Cranial)

Level 2 Trauma Center

Complex Spine, General Neurosurgery, No Endovascular

Primary Job Duties & Responsibilities

1. Performs history and physical examinations, formulation of care plans, ordering and interpreting laboratory and diagnostic tests and provides education to patients and their families.
2. Assists with surgical cases, consults and admissions, and with provider rounds (writing notes, orders, wound care, etc.). Writes discharge orders and dictates discharge notes in a timely fashion.
3. Formulates a diagnosis and treatment plan as appropriate for patient needs.
4. Orders ancillary services as appropriate to meet patient needs.
5. Reviews all patient diagnostic test results and follows-up on abnormal test results. Reviews diagnostic test results with patient.
6. Document clinical encounters clearly, precisely and in a timely manner.
7. Requests specialty consultation as approved by the supervising physician.
8. Provides patient education as appropriate.
9. Provides treatments and procedures as appropriate.
10. Assists in the surgical/clinical management of the patient and works closely with members of the clinic to ensure that patient is receiving appropriate services.
11. Counsels and educates patients as needed to support compliance with the outlined treatment plan.
12. Notifies and consults supervising physician when a referral or transfer of patient care is required for urgent or emergent care. (e.g.: seeking services for: diagnostic, specialty care or emergent care and is critical for patient care/safety).
13. Identifies high risk problems and transfers care to appropriate physician.
14. Collaborates and communicates with appropriate physicians on patient care issues.
15. Collaborates with other members of the health care team as needed.
16. Seeks consultation from physician on any cases that he/she may feel exceeds his/her ability to manage, when the PA is in doubt of the diagnosis, when a patient fails to respond to treatment or when the patient expresses a desire to see the physician.
17. As needed, participates in team conferences to review status of patient care.
18. When needed, participates in data collection and outcome measurement to insure quality care is being provided both inpatient and outpatient.
19. Works collaboratively with team members to ensure appropriate and efficient flow of patients through clinic appointments.
20. Completes and submits coded fee tickets for each patient encounter.
21. Promotes excellent customer service.
22. Provides the triage for referrals as assigned and engages the key stakeholders for the multidisciplinary care pathways.
23. Facilitates patient pathway within the inpatient and outpatient setting with the Neurosurgeon when needed.
24. Facilitates the multidisciplinary peer reviews.
25. Flexibility with assigned shifts and/or on-call when needed.
26. Works with managed care team on payer relations.
27. Facilitate timely communication with family and patients.
28. Assists with surgical procedures both in and out of the operating room.
29. Willing to work in a collaborative relationship with other health professionals to determine the needs of patients and families.
30. Demonstrates and role models an interdisciplinary collaborative approach to patient care.
31. Ensures quality and compliance with HIPAA and billing regulations. Must adhere to all institutional and departmental policies and procedures.
32. Actively participates in problem solving and resolving patient related issues.
33. Demonstrates responsibility and accountability for own professional practice.
34. Participates in unit and departmental Performance Improvement activities.
35. Serves as a spokesperson for the Center for Neuroscience within the local community.
36. Provides outreach within the community through participating in local events and performing speaking engagements.
37. Performs other duties as assigned.

Education: Graduate of an accredited Physician Assistant program approved by the National Commission of Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA).

Licensure/Credentials: Current Physician Assistant licensure by the State of California Physician Assistant Examining Committee and Board Certified. AHA or equivalent CPR required. Maintains a current DEA license for schedule II drugs.

Experience: Experience as a Surgical Physician Assistant practicing in a related field, or completion of internship in the Neurosciences at NorthBay.

Skills: Demonstrates ability to evaluate patient’s physical and emotional status. Demonstrates ability to provide patient care based on age-related needs. Demonstrates current knowledge and skill in providing appropriate care for patients in the following age groups: adult, adolescent, pediatric and geriatric. Ability to use computer, MS Word, Outlook, telephone. Knowledge of Cerner preferred.

Standards of Performance: Demonstrate performance by adhering to established policies and procedures and exhibiting the defined characteristics associated with attendance and punctuality.

Physical Effort: Attendance is an essential function of the job. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to perform standing, periods of sitting, bending, computer keyboarding, lifting not greater than 50lbs.

Hours of Work: Variable