Physician Assistant, Thoracic Surgery

Department

BSD SUR - Thoracic Surgery: Clinical

About the Department

The University of Chicago Medicine's Section of Thoracic Surgery is dedicated to quality and innovative care, especially for patients with complex chest and lung conditions, coexisting medical problems, and those with previous thoracic surgeries. Our specialized surgeons are experienced in performing highly technical, minimally invasive procedures to treat and manage conditions affecting the lungs and esophagus, including esophageal cancer, hyperhidrosis, interstitial lung disease, lung cancer, and lung transplantation.

Whenever possible, our surgeons utilize minimally invasive techniques, including robotic surgery or video-assisted thoracic surgery, to improve patients’ recovery. At UChicago Medicine, our thoracic surgery team actively participates in the Society of Thoracic Surgeons National Database, an important initiative that collects patient care outcomes data to help surgeons benchmark and improve quality of care. Our surgeons are also active in many unique clinical trials that make available emerging treatments that are not yet widely available at other hospitals.

Job Summary

The Physician Assistant provides comprehensive operative care to patients in the Section of Thoracic Surgery at UChicago Northwest Indiana and Methodist locations.

Responsibilities

Clinical Care:

• Assists the physician/surgeon through organized instruction and supervised practice.

• Operating room, inpatient, and outpatient management of thoracic surgery patients.

• Takes patient histories, conducts examinations, diagnoses illnesses, orders and interprets laboratory tests, performs specified diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, develops and implements comprehensive care plans, outpatient communication with patients, and assist in the operating room.

• Assists in the team effort to expedite the start of surgery in the OR.

• Provides the appropriate preparation of the patient for surgery.

• Performs patient follow up in the outpatient setting with communication to community health care providers assuring appropriate transitions of care and follow-up.

• Works with nurse to address patient inquires via email, EPIC, or phone.

• Participates in inpatient management of thoracic surgery patient alongside surgery residents, including floor rounds, consults, charting, orders, communication with consulting teams and patient discharge.

• Coordinates patient and family education needs with staff, case managers and the Clinical Program Manager.

• Participation in and coordination in patient care conferences.

• Maintains established departmental policies and procedures, objectives, quality assurance program, safety, environmental, and infection control standards.

• Meets daily with the attending physician to discuss individual patient needs.

• Functions as a professional role model for colleagues, nursing and house staff while providing expert care.

• Promotes, has knowledge of, and utilizes appropriate patient care protocol relating to the physical and psychological needs of adult patients in both the inpatient and outpatient setting.

• Participates in self and peer evaluation to improve the quality of care.

• Participates in the development, review and evaluation of procedures.

• Ability to travel to off-site clinics as needed.

Research & Education:

• Assists in identifying patients and obtaining informed consent for participation in clinical research trials.

• Assists in the creation and maintenance of educational tools for patients and families.

• Assists in quality and improvement efforts through established hospital committees.

• Keeps knowledge base current by reading professional literature and attending educational conferences.

Other:

• Evaluates goals and outcomes taking into account the benefit-versus-burden, safety, quality, and cost-effectiveness for the patient, family and the organization.

• Develops diagnostic strategies and therapeutic interventions needed to achieve the goals and outcomes of the patient’s plan of care.

• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree from an accredited school/college.

Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through a combination of education and a minimum of 2 years of relevant work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

Current a