Physician Assistant / Nurse Practitioner

1.       Assists in surgery: 

·         Prepares and drapes the patient.

·         Acts as first and second assistant to the surgeon.

·         Assists in the closure of the wound.

·         Attends patients transferred to the Recovery Room.

·         Make periodic checks of patients in Recovery Room as warranted by the surgical procedure and the patient’s condition.

·         Write pertinent notes in patient charts. Dictates (or hand writes if appropriate) discharge summary for review and countersign by the Attending Physician.

·         Postoperative orders to include medications, fluid therapy, laboratory data, x-rays studies, diet and special instructions.

2.       Attends rounds with the surgical staff and makes rounds with the resident staff before surgery in the morning, as many times as required during the day by the patient’s condition, as well as late afternoon before leaving the hospital. Remains in the hospital available and responsive to calls at all times during the day while on duty.  Reports all findings to the immediately responsible house staff resident or the attending surgeon. Attends all surgical conferences.

3.       Performs consults for on-call attendings as requested by house medical staff or the Emergency Department. Obtains detailed, accurate medical histories and performs physical examination.  Records information obtained and reviews with appropriate attending.

4.       Attends Orthopaedic Clinic (as appropriate to assigned service) care under supervision of Attending Physician assigned to the clinic.   

5.       Administers parenteral fluids by means of venipuncture ; inserts naso-gastric tubes; catheterizes the urinary bladder; assists in cardiopulmonary resuscitation; maintains current CPR certification of Advanced Life Support certification; changes dressing, irrigates wounds, sutures minor lacerations under resident or surgeon supervision, removes sutures and drains as ordered; applies and removes casts under supervision.

6.  Does outside reading on the manifestations and management of surgical patient care a problem and keeps abreast of all advances.  Maintains educational requirements consistent with requirements of registration as a Physician Assistant.  Attends education programs annually as required by Highland Hospital.

7.  Preceptor for NP and PA students during orthopaedic rotations