Career Center

Summary

The Urology Physician Assistant provides clinical and surgical care for patients on the Urology service. As an agent of the supervising physician - the PA functions within defined levels of autonomy as outlined in his/her scope of practice.

Duties

• The Urology Physician Assistant will provide patient care consistent with the scope of practice and with clinical oversight - consultation - and input by the designated collaborating physician while working in the clinic - cystoscopy suite - and operating room
• Some core responsibilities include: Obtaining medical histories and performing physical examinations
• Providing and coordinating medical care for assigned patients in any care setting - including establishing diagnoses - formulating and implementing care plans - and providing follow-up care
• Evaluating outpatients to determine the need for further health care
• Ordering diagnostic studies and other special tests - such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging {MRI} - Computerized Tomography (CT) scans - etc
• Carrying out health promotion - disease prevention - and patient education activities
• Ordering or obtaining laboratory specimens
• Ordering ancillary services - such as - pharmacy - social services - physical medicine and rehabilitation therapies - prosthetic services - etc
• Ordering VA specialty service consults and initiating requests for non-VA medical care and consults in accordance with VHA and local facility policy and procedures
• Ordering patient care supplies
• Writing orders for or prescribing medications for care of veterans on the Urology service
• Obtaining and documenting informed consent for treatments and procedures for which the PA is responsible either as the provider providing treatment under Full Autonomy or Limited Autonomy - or participating as an integral member of the treatment team performing the procedure such as assisting the primary surgeon
• The PA need not participate in the particular procedure the patient is scheduled to undergo as long as he is authorized to perform - participate in - or assist during the procedure and have sufficient knowledge and training in the treatment or procedure - its indications - risk and benefits - complications - and alternative treatments - to effectively counsel the patient
• Providing education and counseling of patients and families in preventive care - medical conditions - and the use of prescribed treatments and drugs
• Preliminary EKG interpretation
• Preliminary imaging interpretation
• Ordering appropriate pre-procedure & pre-operative antibiotics (IM - IV - or PO) and/or other medications
• Change dressings on surgical wounds
• Obtain specimens in surgery or on wards or ICU for patient care diagnostic or treatment purposes
• Perform other diagnostic or treatment procedures as qualified
• Ordering administration of blood products
• GU SURGERY EXPANDED RESPONSIBILITIES Responsibilities performed with full autonomy in the clinic and cystoscopy suite include: Obtains informed consents for common GU surgeries and procedures about which the PA is familiar with including the indications and associated risks and benefits
• Triages symptoms and manages outpatients on the Urology service
• Assists other health care professionals assigned to the Urology section with the coordination of medical care
• Acts as a care coordinator for patients in the Urology section
• Monitors appointment management software to ensure accuracy in scheduling practices
• Reviews all outpatient Urology clinic profiles for accuracy
• Provides peri- and post-operative teaching
• Performs pre-operative history/physical examinations
• Triages - assigns - and evaluates new patients referred to the Urology service
• Insertion of urethral catheters
• Urethral catheter placement over a wire
• Removal or exchange of suprapubic tubes/catheters
• lntracavernosal injections and teaching
• Percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation
• Cryoablation of genital lesions with liquid nitrogen
• Removal of drains - ureteral stents - and nephrostomy tubes
• Administer oral medications
• Injection IV medications - start intravenous infusions of any variety - as long as hospital protocols regarding preparation of skin sites - checking of blood products - and attention to sterile techniques are followed
• Performing procedures: Cystoscopy Cystoscopy with ureteral stent removal Cystoscopy with basketing of stones/ foreign body Transrectal ultrasound Urodynamic studies Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 8:00am - 4:30pm VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package
• Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized.