General Summary

Under clinical supervision and under the direction of the surgeon assigned, the Physician Assistant - First Assist, assists in the facilitation and performance of surgical procedures. This role collaborates with the surgeon and the health care team by performing and facilitating in safe operations resulting in optimal outcomes for the patient. Also provides an advanced level of comprehensive health care to a specific patient population in collaboration with the medical staff. Follows established applicable medical standards, procedures and practices, and gives specific patient care directions to nursing and other support staff. Patients served include adolescent through adult-older adult.

Principal Responsibilities and Tasks

The following statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. These are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by personnel so classified.

1. Functions as a surgical assistant as requested by the surgeon and as assigned. Under the direct supervision of a surgeon, assists with the performance of surgical procedures and general patient care in the operating room in accordance with established nursing protocol, policies and procedures. Observable duties may include: Tissue handling including making incisions, retracting, dissecting, tying, ligating, stapling, suturing and providing hemostasis.

2. Assists in the pre-operative preparation of patients (i.e. draping, patient positioning, surgical scrub, insertion of catheter).

3. Responsible to be in the designated operating room prior to the start of surgical cases.

4. Responds to the needs of O.R., nursing and anesthesia staff to expedite patient care.

5. Formulates and implements treatment and therapeutic plans.

6. Demonstrates proficiency in skills specific to surgical technique, infection control, crisis management, resource management, effective decision-making, etc.

7. Assists in moving patient from table to stretcher and accompany patient to PACU. Responsible to assist operating room staff in the postoperative transportation of patients to a designated recovery facility.

8. Knowledge of surgical anatomy, physiology and operative technique related to the specific operative procedures.

9. Uses proper intraoperative performance techniques when using instruments and medical devices, provides surgical site exposure, handling and/or cutting tissue, providing hemostasis, suturing, and wound management.

10. Anticipates the surgeon needs.

11. Vein Harvesting: Independently performs endoscopic vein harvesting under supervision of the surgeon.

12. Exhibits knowledge about positioning with regard to not only optimum exposure but also positive patient outcomes.

13. Knowledgeable with regard to proper functioning of equipment or instrumentation that may be required.

14. Anticipates any special needs of the patient with regard to comfort and safety

15. Seeks and supports opportunities for professional growth and development.

16. Maintains the privacy and security of all confidential and protected health information. Uses and discloses only that information which is necessary to perform the function of the job.

17. Exhibits highly effective communication skills necessary in explaining procedures to patients, preparing written reports for patient medical charts, and providing preliminary results to health care providers.

18. Ensures patient safety in the performance of job functions and through participation in hospital, department or unit patient safety initiatives.

19. May complete and/or contribute to the immediate post-operative note.

20. Documents medical findings and care provided in the patient's clinical record, including information of laboratory and radiographic studies.

21. Teaches health maintenance procedures and provides educational resources to patients as needed.

22. Collaborates with physician or other health care team members regarding patients' health needs, outcomes and effectiveness of care plan.

23. Initiates appropriate contact with other health care providers as required.

24. Maintains the privacy and security of all confidential and protected health information. Uses and discloses only that information which is necessary to perform the function of the job.

25. Performs other duties as assigned.

Experience the highest level of appreciation at UM Baltimore Washington Medical Center - named Top Workplace in the Baltimore area by The Baltimore Sun two years in a row (2019 & 2020); Top Workplace in the USA for 2021! As part of the acclaimed University of Maryland Medical System, our facility is one of three ANCC Pathway to Excellence designated hospitals in Maryland. UM BWMC features one of the state's busiest emergency departments, as well as a team of experts who care for our community and one another. The University of Maryland Baltimore Washington Medical Center (UMBWMC) provides the highest quality health care services to the communities we serve. Our medical center is home to leading-edge technology, nationally recognized quality, personalized service and outstanding people. We have 285 licensed beds and we're home to 3,200 employees and over 800 physicians. Our expert physicians and experienced, compassionate staff are connected to medical practices in the local community as well as at University of Maryland Medical Center in downtown Baltimore. For patients, this means access to high-quality care and research discoveries aimed at improving Maryland's health. Our physicians and nursing staff specialize in emergency, acute, medical-surgical and critical care. In addition, our medical center is home to many Centers of Excellence, offering expert outpatient health care.

Education and Experience

1. Graduation from a Physician Assistant educational program approved by the State Board of Licensing or found by the Board to be substantially equivalent to the programs in Maryland required.

2. Current state licensure as a Physician Assistant required.

3. Experience as a Physician Assistant preferred, not required.

4. Current BLS certification or obtained prior to providing direct patient care is required.

5. DEA and CDS eligible.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

1. Ability to demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the patient population(s) served. Ability to demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and possesses the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's requirements relative to his or her population-specific and age specific needs.

2. Ability to handle multiple priorities, work independently, take initiative in achieving expected results, and handle confidential information.

3. Demonstrates skill in making effective decisions, quality improvement activities, problem solving, crisis management, organizing work and meeting deadlines, attention to detail and follow through, resource management, ability to work successfully with diverse types of individuals including management, clinical staff, and the general public.

4. Highly effective verbal and written communication skills are required to interact with patient families, departmental units, medical and nursing staff on all essential matters. Demonstrated/documented effective interpersonal skills.

5. Maintains updated hospital safety and other mandatory training.

6. Updated immunizations as recommended per practice area.

Patient Safety

Ensures patient safety in the performance of job functions and through participation in hospital, department or unit patient safety initiatives.

1. Takes action to correct observed risks to patient safety.

2. Reports adverse events and near misses to appropriate management authority.

3. Implements policies, procedure, and standards consistently in the performance of assigned duties.

4. Develops effective working relationships and maintains good communication with other team members.

5. Identifies possible risks in processes, procedures, devices and communicates the same to those in charge.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.