Covenant Health

Physician Assistant-CV Surgery, East Tennessee Cardiovascular Surgery Group

Full Time, 80 Hours Per Pay Period, Variable Shifts

Position will require rotating call on weeknights and weekends.

Covenant Medical Group is Covenant Health’s employed and managed medical practice organization, with more than 300 top Physicians and providers spanning the continuum of care in 20 cities throughout East Tennessee. Specialties include cardiology, cardiothoracic surgery, cardiovascular surgery, endocrinology, gastroenterology, general surgery, infectious disease, neurology, neurosurgery, obstetrics and gynecology, occupational medicine, orthopedic surgery, physical medicine and rehabilitation, primary care, pulmonology, reproductive medicine, rheumatology, sleep medicine and urology.

Position Summary:

The Physician Assistant augments a physician's ability to provide patient care services by independently and interdependently scheduling, supervising, and/or conducting complex diagnostic and therapeutic procedures; independently participates in the delivery of direct patient care within the scope of individual authority granted by the Tennessee Board.  May supervise support staff.

Recruiter: Bradley Sparks || bsparks2@covhlth.com || 865-374-5382

Position accountabilities to include but not limited to:

• Obtains detailed history and performs physical examinations on assigned patients; assesses and treats acute/chronic medical problems and provides direct patient care to a specified patient population.

  • Delivers patient care within the scope of approved privileges

  • Obtains complete and accurate patient information in order to determine appropriate treatment plan

  • Orders and/or administers appropriate medical tests

  • Performs treatments quickly and efficiently while keeping patient informed

  • Delivers care in a manner to ensure the patient's comfort during treatment

  • Communicates effectively with patient and healthcare team

  • Addresses health care issues appropriately according to established protocols

  • Consistently and continually monitors the quality of care delivered
• Develops and implements outcome based, individualized and appropriate plans for patient care.
  • Plans, manages and coordinates patient care
  • Provides patient and family education and counseling either directly or by referral
  • Intervenes and diffuses situations involving agitated and confused or emotional patients and/or family members
• Consults and coordinates with health care providers; works as a member of the team
  • Provides assistance to the health care providers by answering questions or otherwise providing information regarding patient care
  • Works in coordination with the health care providers and other team members to develop and appropriately implement treatment plans for patients
  • Works with other members of the team to ensure a timely flow of patients
  • Assist surgeons in pre-operative duties to include complete evaluations, Intra-operative duties for patient preparations, endovascular vein harvesting and assist surgeons as directed in operating rooms.
  • Patient rounding, discharges, dictation, wound care, and miscellaneous responsibilities as assigned.
  • Enters detailed necessary information in the STS Database.
  • Call Duties include late and emergency surgeries, resolution of all hospital and patient calls as necessary.

• Works in coordination with management to provide quality delivery of care

  • Participates in fulfilling the mission, vision, goals and objectives of the organization
  • Maintains a safe and clean work environment; reports defective or missing equipment and safety hazards
  • Assists in disaster planning and related activities
  • Completes chart reviews on a regular basis
  • Ensure the Joint Commission and other regulatory standards are met as they apply to the department
  • Abides by policies, procedures and bylaws
  • Assist in various committee/meeting responsibilities for the department
• Communicates effectively
  • Listens to patients concerns and addresses issues as appropriate
  • Ensures that verbal and written orders are clear, concise, and ensures instructions are understood by listening and requesting feedback
  • Writes patient notes legibly and clearly in order to provide adequate information for other health care providers
  • Listens for clues that patient needs additional assistance in understanding the treatment plan or in carrying out treatment plan
  • Adjusts communication style depending on receiver of the message, for example, education level, etc.
• Collaborate with the patient, physician and other care team members as part of a team based approach to overall patient care.
• Perform other duties as assigned or requested

Minimum Education:           

None specified; however, must be sufficient to meet the standards for achievement of the below indicated license and/or certification as required by the issuing authority.

Minimum Experience:         

Previous experience as Physician Assistant. Ability to perform comprehensive medical histories and physicals which includes dictation skills.  Ability to evaluate and initiate treatment of acute and chronic medical problems.  Ability to communicate complex medical information to a diverse population. Minimum of 3 yrs experience in Cardiothoracic surgical assisting. Proficiency EVH and radial arterial harvesting skills. 

Licensure Requirement:      

Licensed as a physician assistant by the Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners