General Summary:
Under the supervision and direction of the Medical Director, Department of Emergency Medicine, the Senior Administrative Director, and the Chief Physician Assistant, the Physician Assistant (PA) is responsible for the care of emergency department patients under the direction of the attending physicians and in accordance with the rules and regulations of Massachusetts governing Physician Assistant practice. The PA will obtain patient histories, perform comprehensive physical examinations to evaluate patients for admission, perform bedside diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, coordinate tests and consultations, implement treatment plans, communicate with referring and consulting physicians, perform patient education, and prepare patients for discharge. The PA assumes responsibility for patients in accordance with service policies and protocols. New Graduates are not being considered at this time.

Principle Duties & Responsibilities
Can provide care in all areas of the emergency department, in conjunction with emergency medicine staff. Includes on-going evaluation and care of patients, rounds with staff, and safe and effective sign-out of patients at shift change.

1. Works closely with emergency department patients and their families.
2. Works as a member of the emergency team including attending physicians, residents, nurses, students, and ancillary personnel.
3. Obtains a detailed, accurate medical history and performs a comprehensive physical examination on patients.
4. Performs examination and evaluation of emergency 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.
5. Performs or assists in routine and complex procedures as necessary, including but not limited to splinting, arthrocentesis, relocation of joint dislocations, laceration repairs, abscess incision and drainage, orogastric and nasogastric intubation, nail trephination, insertion of urethral catheters, collection of arterial blood samples, removal of nasal, ear and wound foreign bodies, anterior nasal packing, slit lamp examination, local nerve anesthesia and nerve blocks.
6. Writes complete and comprehensive notes on all patients using the EPIC system in a timely manner and discusses the care of each patient with the attending physician and other consult services that are involved with the care of that patient. Maintains communications with referring physicians.
7. Performs basic and advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) procedures as necessary and directs these efforts until the arrival of an attending physician.
8. Prepares emergency 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.
9. Prescribes medications for emergency patients in accordance with service polices and/or attending physician's instructions. Uses e-prescribing function in EPIC.
10. Under the direction of the attending physicians, executes a wide range of management plans for emergency patients.
11. Writes formal discharge summaries of emergency patients in EPIC.
12. Participates in the Department of Emergency Medicine educational meetings with students and residents assigned to the service.
13. Responsible for own professional growth and maintenance of required credentials. Maintains the standards and educational requirements specific to the position and licensure. Identifies own learning needs and goals. Maintains and updates clinical knowledge and skills based on current health care practice/research.

Skills & Competencies:

• Qualified in all basic and advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) standards as established by the American Heart Association.
• Possess the ability to care for critically ill patients with a broad range of medical problems.
• Possess the maturity, self-confidence, and ability to follow complex patient management plans as directed by the attending physician.
• 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.
• The staff member must be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served on his/her assigned unit.

Massachusetts General Hospital is an Affirmative Action Employer. By embracing diverse skills, perspectives and ideas, we choose to lead. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, age, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, military service, genetic information, and/or other status protected under law. We will ensure that all individuals with a disability are provided a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment.