Physician Assistant - Gastrointestinal Surgery, Full-time, Days

Description

Northwestern Medicine has an exciting opportunity for a Physician Assistant to work in our Gastrointestinal Surgery department. This role has a hybrid scope, with 50% responsibility in the operating room and 50% responsibility providing inpatient care. In the operating room, the APP serves as a robotic first assist for surgeons across the division. The inpatient component involves managing and coordinating care for patients on the GI, Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS), and Bariatric Surgery services.

The average daily census on the GI/MIS and Bariatric Surgery inpatient service ranges from 8 to 12 patients. In the operating room, APPs are assigned to a specific attending surgeon each day and are responsible for supporting that surgeon's operative cases. This position will flex between inpatient and operative responsibilities based on patient care and service needs.

The Physician Assistant will split clinical responsibilities between operating room support and inpatient care management. On operating room days, responsibilities include preoperative evaluations and documentation, first-assist support during surgical procedures, and postoperative care coordination. On inpatient service days, the PA will collaborate with attending physicians, APPs, and residents to manage patient care, including daily assessments, treatment planning, diagnostic evaluation, discharge coordination, and patient education. Additional responsibilities may be assigned to support departmental and patient care needs.

Schedule: Four 10-hour shifts per week. The designated weekday off may vary based on operating room schedules and inpatient service needs. No nights, weekends, or holiday coverage required.

Essential Functions:

• Demonstrates clinical expertise and expanded knowledge through patient care activities which may include diagnosis and management of a wide range of health problems.
• Responsible for health outcome of an assigned patient population.
• Confers with collaborating physician and other health professionals in area of clinical expertise.
• Develops appropriate educational systems for patients, families and staff in areas of expertise.
• Mentors graduate students in aspects of advanced practice and patient care.
• Actively participates in quality improvement and/or research pertinent to area of expertise.

Responsibilities:

• Conducts comprehensive appraisals of patients' health status by taking health histories and performing physical examinations in clinical area.
• Provides direct clinical care to patients.
• Prescribes/orders medications, therapies; orders/interprets laboratory tests, x-rays and procedures according to clinical privileges.
• Evaluates patients to determine their need for further health care.
• Provides comprehensive teaching to patients and families.
• Documents in the medical record all care and education provided and/or procedures performed for which the Licensed Advanced Practice Provider is responsible.
• Refers to other disciplines as appropriate.
• 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.
• Advocate for patients, families, coworkers, and the community.
• 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.
• Provides comprehensive teaching strategies for patients and their families.
• Develops and participates in programs to meet continuing education needs of staff.
• Serves as a role model and preceptor to students.
• Provides formal education to both internal and external groups pertinent to area of specialty.
• Participates in quality improvement and/or research initiatives for specific patient population as appropriate.

AA/EOE Minorities/Women/Disabled/Veterans. VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

Qualifications

• Master's degree from an accredited school/college of nursing OR master's degree from an accredited Physician Assistant Program
• Acute care certification required for APRNs (inpatient experience as an NP will be considered in lieu of acute care certification)
• Current license as a Registered Nurse in the State of Illinois. Current license as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse in the State of Illinois. Certification as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse by a national certifying body as approved by the Illinois Department of Regulation APRN Board. Once licensed may apply for a controlled substance license and DEA number OR Master's degree from an accredited Physician Assistant Program/Current license as a Physician Assistant in the State of Illinois. Once licensed may apply for a controlled substance license and DEA number
• Privileged and credentialed through the Northwestern Medicine Medical Staff Office (MSO)
• Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation - BLS, issued by the American Heart Association

Preferred:

• 1-2 years of experience in General Surgery with robotic first assist.

Equal Opportunity

Northwestern Medicine is an equal opportunity employer (disability, VETS) and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status.

Background Check

Northwestern Medicine conducts a background check that includes criminal history on newly hired team members and, at times, internal transfers. If you are offered a position with us, you will be required to complete an authorization and disclosure form that gives Northwestern Medicine permission to run the background check. Results are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and we follow all local, state, and federal laws, including the Illinois Health Care Worker Background Check Act.

Artificial Intelligence Disclosure

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position, however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.

Benefits

We offer a wide range of benefits that provide employees with tools and resources to improve their physical, emotional, and financial well-being while providing protection for unexpected life events. Please visit our Benefits section to learn more.

Sign-on Bonus Eligibility (if sign-on bonus offered for position): Internal employees and rehires who left Northwestern Medicine within 1 year are not eligible for the sign on bonus. Exception: New graduate internal employees seeking their first licensed clinical position at NM may be eligible depending upon the job family.