Job Description:

Job Summary:

Provides healthcare and patient services that may include educational, research, clinical support, and administrative activities under the direction and supervision of the Section Chief of Cardiac and Thoracic Surgery.

Responsibilities:

• Assist in all cardiac procedures, including minimally invasive coronary bypass procedures using the Da Vinci Robot System, all other cardiac procedures (heart transplants, valve repairs, VAD placements, MAZE procedures, open cardiac procedures).
• Assist in team effort to expedite the start of surgery in the Cardiothoracic OR.
• Provide the appropriate preparation of the patient needed for surgery; including, but not limited to: shaving, foley insertion, bovie pad placement, positioning of the patient, prepping and draping.
• Maintain established departmental policies and procedures, objectives, quality assurance program, safety, environmental and infection control standards.
• Coordinate patient and family education needs with staff, case managers, and Clinical Program Manager.
• Assist in obtaining informed consent for participation in clinical research trials.
• Assist in the in- and out- patient setting in assessing patient health status and needs.
• Assist in the in- and out- patient setting in performing specified diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.
• Assist the in- and out- patient teams in the development and implementation of comprehensive plans of care.
• Follow through in the outpatient setting via communication with appropriate health care providers to assure that proper care and follow-up is provided.
• Assist in the collection and appropriate documentation of data required for clinical trial compliance.
• Function as a professional role model for staff while providing expert care in the in- and out- patient setting.
• Promote, have knowledge of and utilize appropriate patient care protocol relating to the physical and psychological needs of adult and geriatric patients in both in- and out- patient setting.
• Collaborates with care team members and multi-disciplinary team members to provide direct in- and out- patient care.
• Participates in self and peer evaluation to improve quality of care.
• Participates in the development, review, and evaluation of Surgical 1st Assist procedures.
• Participates in clinical trials and research protocol development in Cardiac Surgery.
• Assist in the establishment of educational tools and materials for patients.
• Assist in the development and conduct of CME conferences.
• Assist in quality assessment and improvement through participation with established Hospitals' committees.
• Coordinates with BSD Development Specialist, referring physician outreach.
• Establish and maintain a collaborative relationship with health care colleagues.
• Demonstrate effective use of verbal, non-verbal and written communication skills using strategies that promote problem resolution.
• Keep knowledge base current by reading professional literature and attending educational conferences.
• Attain and maintain membership and active participation in professional organizations concerned with improving the quality of care and advancing the field of minimally invasive cardiac surgery.
• Participate in team efforts to cross-train in all subspecialties of cardiac surgery, including heart transplantation, valve surgery, VAD placements, open cardiac procedures, etc.

Competencies:

• Ability to provide direct patient care in a professional and respectful manner required. 
• Excellent verbal and written communication required. 
• Ability to perform detailed work required. 
• Ability to perform multiple concurrent tasks with occasional interruptions required. 
• Ability to exercise discretion and confidentiality while handling sensitive situations required. 
• Ability to solve problems by applying math or reasoning principles required. 
• Ability to train or lead others required.  

Education, Experience and Certification:

Education:

• Completion of an accredited Physician Assistant educational program accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARC-PA) required. 

Experience:

• Two years of experience with surgical procedures/surgical training required in a related clinical area or related clinical specialties (surgery, minimally invasive surgery).  

Licenses and Certifications:

• Certification from the National Commission for the Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) is required.
• Current Physician Assistant license/registration in the State of Illinois or eligibility to receive by start date required.

Technical Knowledge or Skills:

• Knowledge of operating room fundamentals, including aseptic principles and techniques required.
• Ability to read documents or instruments required. 

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements:

• Direct patient contact or clinical care setting
• Exposure to human blood, human blood components, and/or products made from human blood
• Exposure to infectious material
• Exposure to laboratory chemicals
• Exposure to moving machinery
• Exposure to vertebrate animal blood, vertebrate animal blood components, and/or products made from vertebrate animal blood
• Exposure to X-Ray Producing Equipment
• High stress environment
• Irregular work schedule
• On-call responsibilities
• Operates a person-lift
• Requires use of personal protective equipment
• Requires use of respirator
• Sterile/clean room environment 
• Exposure to radioactive materials/radiation  
• Ability to bend, crouch, or stoop
• Ability to carry or lifts loads of up to 25 lbs.
• Ability to feel, including perceiving size, shape, temperature, or texture
• Ability to see, including color, depth perception, or clarity
• Ability to sit for 4 hours or more
• Ability to use power and/or hand tools requiring high dexterity
• Ability to make repetitive wrist, hand, or finger movements
• Ability to operate equipment necessary to perform job
• Ability to push/pull objects of up to 25 lbs.
• Ability to stand for 4 hours or more
• Effective audio-visual discrimination and perception 
• Ability to Use Standard Work Station Equipment
• Ability to Use Standard Office Equipment  

Required Documents:

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• Reference Contact Information

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via the Applicant Inquiry Form.

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