Physician Assistant

Job Description:
**Physician Assistant - Cardiology**:
**Position Summary**

The primary role of the physician assistant will be to participate in the assessment and care of cardiology patients under the supervision of the attending physician. The PA will provide care using evidence-based clinical practice standards and will adhere to established protocols. All activity will be under the direct supervision of Cardiologists and within the medical directives endorsed by the RVH Medical Advisory Committee.

**Qualifications**

**_Education_**
- Secondary School Diploma or Equivalent
- Undergraduate Degree
- Graduate of a Canadian or US Accredited Physician Assistant Education Program
- Eligible to challenge the National Physician Assistant Certificate Exam, or Canadian Physician Assistant Certification - Mandatory
- BCLS, and ACLS

**_Experience_**
- Prior experience in the care of cardiology patients

**_Competencies_**
- Integrate all the core PA competencies to provide optimal, ethical and patient-centred medical care
- Perform a complete and appropriate clinical assessment of a patient and formulate a clinical treatment plan
- Use preventive and therapeutic interventions effectively
- Demonstrate proficient and appropriate use of diagnostic and procedural skills
- Recognize their scope of practice while demonstrating effective and appropriate consultation practice with other healthcare professionals in respect to patient care, education and legal opinions

**Responsibilities**

**_Clinical Assessment of Patients_**
- Obtain health history as appropriate, including patient demographics, chief complaint, history of the present illness or injury, past medical, surgical, family and psychosocial history, medications, allergies and systems review. Ensuring pre op and post op assessments are completed and documented
- Conduct comprehensive and focused physical assessments and interpret findings. This includes assessment of vital signs and examination of all major body systems. In addition, the PA will be able to perform psychological, ob-gyn, neonatal, pediatric and geriatric assessments.
- Utilize primary and secondary assessment results to formulate a differential diagnosis and determine if further clinical investigation is required.
- Order and complete preliminary interpretation of necessary diagnostic tests, which may include, but are not limited to, hematology, microbiology, chemistry, serology, urinalysis, blood gas, ECG, peak flow and plain film x-ray.

**_Demonstrate at least an academic understanding of the performance of the following diagnostic procedures:_**
- Routine and micro-urinalysis
- Basic hematology Clinical
- Chemistry Microbiology
- Point of care
- Kits Audiometry
- Collect blood samples (arterial and venous), minor surgical samples, body secretions and body fluids (semen, sputum, wound drainage, and urine)

**Communication**

**_When/as directed by a registered physician_**
- Provide relevant information and explanations, including a proposed treatment plan, to the supervising physician and seek further direction where appropriate.
- Provide education to patients, families and other health providers as appropriate to the clinical setting.
- Communicate with other members of the health care team and other hospital departments, both orally, in writing and electronically.

**_Medical Documentation and Record Keeping_**
- Maintain clear, accurate and appropriate records of the patient encounter and management plan
- Admission of notes, progress notes and discharge notes as needed
- Dictated records as appropriate
- Consultation requests
- Other types of documentation as required by the particular setting

**_Consultation with Multidisciplinary team and Surgeons_**
- Collaboration with physio therapists and occupational therapists in caring for all patients
- Working with other specialists including Internal Medicine, Intensivists, and Infectious Disease in caring for patients

**Supervision**

While not a requirement to exercise supervision, it is inherently a tenant of healthcare professions. There may also be opportunities for supervision/teaching roles as the Physician Assistant program grows at RVH; occasionally explains work procedures to new or inexperienced employees.

**Hours of Work**

Varied hours per week depending on schedule block.

**Benefits**
- Regular, Full Time Permanent Position
- Competitive Benefit Package
- Employee and Family Assistance Package
- Wellness Centre
- Dedicated Green Space
- Education Trust Fund Opportunity
- Opportunity to join an incredibly robust and developed Physician Program with growth potential