Cardiothoracic PA-Program Director

At UConn Health, this position is a member of the clinical staff who is accountable for both the provision of direct care and the leadership, administrative and programmatic oversight, direction and coordination of the Cardiothoracic Surgery Physician Assistant program.

SCHEDULE

Fulltime, 40 hours per week, rotating start time.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

: Receives clinical and administrative direction from the Division Chief of Cardiovascular Surgery or other physician designee.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

: Directs and manages employees of lower grade as assigned.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES

Manages the daily operations and staff assigned to Cardiothoracic Surgery or other surgical service lines as assigned; provides educational, training and professional development. Establishes, implements and maintains program standards, policies, and practices in collaboration with and at the direction of Physician and Nursing leadership. Directs the operational and administrative initiatives of the Physician Assistant Program; serves as the lead partner in growth, strategic and quality improvement initiatives. Ensures and maintains highest standards of patient care and compliance with federal and state laws and regulations, regulatory and professional standards as well as University policies and procedures. Resolves issues related to service, safety, and quality; identifies and drives performance improvement initiatives, and operational efficiency. Facilitates patient care coordination and oversight with surgical team members, other departments and community agencies. Conducts practice analysis and case reviews of surgical Physician Assistants to ensure clinical competency and adherence to practice and professional standards. Participates in the development and review of Surgical policies, procedures, practices and care delivery systems and initiatives. Engages in professional development activities to ensure up-to-date regulatory and industry knowledge, practices, standards and trends. May serve as a clinical provider for a board range of patient care services including serving as a member of the surgical team in surgery cases. Performs other related duties as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

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KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

: Considerable knowledge of and ability to apply clinical and theoretical principles and practices of Physician Assistant led medical care. Considerable knowledge of and ability to apply clinical patient care principles, practices, and theory. Considerable knowledge of and ability to apply healthcare administration principles, practices, methods and theory. Considerable knowledge of and ability to interpret and apply University policies, procedures and best practices as well as federal and state laws, regulations as well as regulatory and professional standards. Considerable knowledge of and ability to apply management and leadership principles, practices and methods. Considerable knowledge of and ability to apply quality assessment and improvement principles, practices, methods and theory. Considerable knowledge of and ability to use a computer including a range of software, applications and other technologies. Considerable ability to make sound clinical assessments and institute safe and efficacious care within the structure of the collaborative health team. Considerable verbal and written communication skills. Considerable interpersonal skills. Considerable time management skills including attention to detail. Considerable ability to think critically and to solve problems. Considerable ability to work under pressure managing and balancing multiple competing priorities. Considerable ability to influence others without authority.

EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING

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GENERAL EXPERIENCE

: Licensure to practice as a Physician Assistant in the state of Connecticut. Five (5) years of professional clinical experience in the delivery of Cardiothoracic Surgical services including direct surgical care.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

: Incumbents in this class must possess and maintain in good standing at all times Physician Assistant licensure in the state of Connecticut. Incumbents in this class must possess and maintain in good standing without restrictions Connecticut Controlled Substance Registration for Practitioners as well as the United States Drug Enforcement Administration Registration. Incumbents in this class must possess and maintain eligibility for participation in federal health care programs as defined in 42 U.S.C. 1320a-7b(f). Incumbents in this class may be required to obtain and maintain certifications, training, professional development and other regulatory requirements as needed.

WORKING CONDITIONS

: Incumbents in this class may be required to stand and be in other uncomfortable positions for long periods of time while engaged in surgical care; may be exposed to communicable and infectious diseases and bodily fluids; may be required to lift and restrain patients and to risk of injury while engaged in patient care.