PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT - SURGERY

Guided by the needs of our patients and their families, Massachusetts General Hospital aims to deliver the very best health care in a safe, compassionate environment; to advance that care through innovative research and education; and, to improve the health and well-being of the diverse communities we serve.

Under the supervision and direction of Eric Berkson MD in the Sports Medicine Service, and in accordance with the rules and regulations of Massachusetts governing Physician Assistant practice, the Physician Assistant (PA) will be responsible for the care of patients in this practice.

* Performs initial interview and assessment of patient. * Assists in preoperative evaluation and education. Obtains a detailed, accurate medical history and performs a comprehensive physical examination on patients to assess readiness for surgery. * Reviews diagnostic data and verifies laterality. * Obtains preoperative surgical consents. * Performs preoperative preparation of patients and reinforces information presented by the attending physician to the patient and/or family as necessary. Orders necessary diagnostic tests, consultations, and procedures as indicated or requested by the attending physician. Prescribes medications as necessary. * Presents preoperative patients at team meetings. * Identifies patients requiring preoperative nutritional assessments. * Communicates/coordinates with Pre-Admission Testing Area, surgical scheduling areas and nursing units. * Communicates any abnormal findings to chief resident or attending surgeons for inpatients and to attending surgeon for outpatients. * Tracks and obtains radiographic studies required preoperatively for patients. * The Physician Assistant will be asked to assist in the operating room as required. Duties will include first or second assisting. * Assists with postoperative management of patients. Under the direction of the attending surgeons and in conjunction with the resident staff, executes a wide range of management plans for patients. * Discusses the care of each patient with the attending surgeon, and other consult service(s) involved with the care of that patient. Maintains communications with referring physicians. * Prepares patients for discharge, including patient and family discharge teaching, continuing care and rehabilitation arrangements in conjunction with nursing, writing discharge prescriptions, and confirming primary care or referring physician follow-up. * Dictates formal discharge summaries of patients for the attending surgeon's review and signature. * Attends daily rounds with the surgical team and rounds independently. * Assists with and coordinates patient diagnostic procedures. * Obtains consultations from other services at the request of the attending physician or senior surgical resident. * Coordinates patient discharge along with nursing staff to include special needs at home, medications, proper referrals (VNA, PT, etc), and coordinates proper follow-up appointments as deemed appropriate by chief resident and team. * Coordinates follow-up at outside facilities and assist in communication with other facilities in questions of patient care. * Arranges for admissions to the floor (H&P, orders). * Renews medications, transfer orders and general orders under supervision of physician. * Participates in Department of Orthopaedic educational meetings with students and residents assigned to the Sports Medicine Service. * Assists with ongoing clinical research through follow-up of patients currently involved in clinical trials. * Assists in current clinical research and pursues independent clinical research.

* Possess the maturity, self-confidence, and ability to follow complex patient management plans as directed by the attending surgeon. * Eligible for state and federally controlled substances registration. * Diagnose and treat health problems; obtain patient histories, perform comprehensive physical exams, do simple diagnostic tests, prepare a diagnosis and implement treatment procedures for illnesses; and prescribe medications. * Experience in managing adult patients (aged 16 years and over).