At Mass General Brigham, we know it takes a surprising range of talented professionals to advance our mission—from doctors, nurses, business people and tech experts, to dedicated researchers and systems analysts. As a not-for-profit organization, Mass General Brigham is committed to supporting patient care, research, teaching, and service to the community. We place great value on being a diverse, equitable and inclusive organization as we aim to reflect the diversity of the patients we serve.
At Mass General Brigham, we believe a diverse set of backgrounds and lived experiences makes us stronger by challenging our assumptions with new perspectives that can drive revolutionary discoveries in medical innovations in research and patient care. Therefore, we invite and welcome applicants from traditionally underrepresented groups in healthcare — people of color, people with disabilities, LGBTQ community, and/or gender expansive, first and second-generation immigrants, veterans, and people from different socioeconomic backgrounds – to apply.
Job Summary
Brigham and Women’s Hospital, an affiliate of Mass General Brigham, is committed to supporting patient care, research, teaching, and service to the community. We place great value on being a diverse, equitable and inclusive organization as we aim to reflect the diversity of the patients we serve. At Mass General Brigham, we believe in equal access to quality care, employment and advancement opportunities encompassing the full spectrum of human diversity: race, gender identity, sexual orientation, ability, religion, ethnicity, national origin and all the other forms of human presence and expression that make us better able to provide innovative and cutting-edge healthcare and research.The physician assistant (PA) is a licensed provider who has acquired a broad range of knowledge and skills through the successful completion of a physician assistant program. The PA is responsible for the assessment and management of various populations of patients, medical and/or surgical, including diagnostic and therapeutic interventions, development of appropriate plans of care and ongoing evaluation. The physician assistant works under the supervision of an attending physician and reports directly to the department administrator or chief physician assistant administratively.
The PA will perform in accordance with all state and federal regulations and institutional policies including but not limited to the BWH PA Scope of Practice, Prescriptive Guidelines, approved clinical privileges, and BWH PA policy.
Qualifications
This PA role helps provide the highest level of preoperative, intraoperative, postoperative and outpatient care of surgical patients treated at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, as well as the Dana Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI) Gastrointestinal (GCC), Melanoma (MEL), and Sarcoma (SAC) Disease Centers under the direction of the supervising physicians. Participates in the ongoing clinical research activities within the Division of Surgical Oncology and the related Disease Center at DFCI.
Non-Clinical Duties:
Team Work, Interpersonal & Communication Skills
Professionalism/Professional Development
Continuing Education
Professional behavior
Course attendance
Growth of self, growth of department
PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: PERIOPERATIVE CARE
Perioperatively
Prior to the operation, the PA serves to assist with a wide variety of preparations including but not limited to:
Verify correct patient information, operative procedure and surgical site and check the patient’s chart for any abnormalities
Verify that the correct equipment and instrumentation is prepared and ready to use.
Carry out the surgeon’s request for exact positioning for surgical procedure. Assist with patient positioning, including helping transfer of patients from stretcher/bed to OR table, ensuring that the bed is locked and secure during transfer, and application of patient safety measures, i.e., safety strap application, protective padding and arm board placement
Assists circulator and anesthesia provider in preparation of patient to include but not limited to foley catheter placement, tourniquet application, placement of IVs, cricoid pressure application, sterile prep and drape, and other procedures as needed.
Check availability of imaging studies Work with director of robotic surgery to ensure availability of robotic instruments for current and upcoming case
Intraoperatively:
During the operation, at certain points of the procedure the PA may be scrubbed at the bedside with the attending surgeon. During much of the procedure, the PA may be scrubbed alone at the bedside as the attending surgeon performs the procedure on the robotic console. Roles include the following:
Make incisions and place ports at discretion of attending surgeon
Visualization of the operative site by digitally manipulating tissue, suctioning, irrigating, or placing sponges
Manipulating suture materials.
Change robotic instruments (remove and reintroduce instruments)
Administering subcutaneous postoperative injections of local anesthetics when directed by the surgeon
Postoperatively
Closing skin incisions, secure drains, and apply wound dressings
Handles all surgical specimens according to procedure, assist with specimen reconciliation as needed
Transfer patient to stretcher
Accompany patient to recovery room to assist with report to staff in post-anesthesia care unit (PACU)
Professional Development:
With assistance of robotic surgical coordinator, must become familiar with mechanics of the DaVinci system including details of port placement, camera targeting, robotic docking, emergency undocking and troubleshooting procedures
In addition:
Works with Lead Surgeons, other Pas, and OR leadership to help grow and develop the Robotic Surgery and Robotic PA programs
Trains bedside personnel (residents, fellows, and other PAs) in robotic procedures
Keeps current regarding developments in technical instrumentation, trends and techniques through internal and external programs, particularly regarding the DaVinci Surgical System.
Serves on appropriate nursing and hospital committees as requested.
Works closely with OR Nursing to ensure best practices in perioperative patient care. Participates in staff meetings.
Assists with quality improvement projects as applicable
Assists in evaluation of products, equipment and systems which may have an impact on planning and implementing the budget.
Keeps informed of personnel policies and incorporates them in behavior as indicated.
Seek out new learning experiences as staffing numbers allow.
PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: OUTPATIENT
The Robotic Surgical PA will be called on periodically to substitute for other physician assistants in the Division of Surgical Oncology for clinical duties during periods of vacation or illness. Roles may include the following:
Serves as a point of contact for patients with GI/Hepatobiliary/Pancreatic cancer Melanoma and Sarcoma treated in the Division of Surgical Oncology.
Chart review and documentation for clinic patients. Works together with providers in other subspecialties to ensure a smooth transition of care for patients receiving multimodality treatment at DF/BWCC.
Performs surgical oncology consultations at BWH and DFCI as requested by the attending physician.
Performs assessment and sharp debridement of wounds as necessary, recommends wound management options, performs follow up visits and communicates with attending surgeons regarding patient status.
Performs routine surveillance follow-up assessments of patients after surgery, including history, physical exam, and radiographic evaluation of patients scheduled in a physician-supervised clinic at DFCI.
Performs inpatient and outpatient wound management for acute incisions and chronic wounds, including sharp debridement, dressing applications, suturing and removal of drains, sutures, and staples.
Writes orders and interprets lab values and radiological tests with the assistance of physicians as necessary.
Facilitates referral of surgical patients to the DFCI GCC, MEL, and SAC Service by consultation with referring providers. Performs access and evaluation of indwelling venous catheters.
Assists study coordinators for ongoing clinical research involving surgical oncology, including performing and recording research histories and physicals, data collection and recording, obtaining tissue specimens for research analyses, and wound care according to specific study guidelines.
Other duties as assigned.
PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: RESEARCH
1. Assists with data collection and maintenance of research databases and quality improvement databases
2. Assist with ongoing clinical research and quality initiatives related to robotic surgery through follow-up of patients involved in clinical trials or clinical outcomes studies
2. Attend research meetings as applicable
3. Obtain informed consent for research protocols if applicable
Additional Job Details (if applicable)
Education
Master's Degree Physician Assistant required
Can this role accept experience in lieu of a degree?
No
Licenses and Credentials:
Physician Assistant MA State License
Experience
2 years of experience as a PA required
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Skilled in taking medical histories to assess medical condition and interpret findings.
- Ability to maintain quality control standards.
- Ability to react calmly and effectively in emergency situations.
- Ability to interpret, adapt and apply guidelines and procedures.
- Ability to communicate clearly and establish/maintain effective working relationships with patients, medical staff and the public.
Physical Requirements
Standing Frequently (34-66%)Walking Frequently (34-66%)Sitting Occasionally (3-33%)Lifting Frequently (34-66%) 35lbs+ (w/assisted device)Carrying Frequently (34-66%) 20lbs - 35lbsPushing Occasionally (3-33%)Pulling Occasionally (3-33%)Climbing Rarely (Less than 2%)Balancing Frequently (34-66%)Stooping Occasionally (3-33%)Kneeling Occasionally (3-33%)Crouching Occasionally (3-33%)Crawling Rarely (Less than 2%)Reaching Frequently (34-66%)Gross Manipulation (Handling) Frequently (34-66%)Fine Manipulation (Fingering) Frequently (34-66%)Feeling Constantly (67-100%)Foot Use Rarely (Less than 2%)Vision - Far Constantly (67-100%)Vision - Near Constantly (67-100%)Talking Constantly (67-100%)Hearing Constantly (67-100%)
Remote Type
Onsite
Work Location
75 Francis Street
Scheduled Weekly Hours
40
Employee Type
Regular
Work Shift
Day (United States of America)
EEO Statement:
Brigham and Women's Physicians Organization, Inc. 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.
Mass General Brigham Competency Framework
At Mass General Brigham, our competency framework defines what effective leadership “looks like” by specifying which behaviors are most critical for successful performance at each job level. The framework is comprised of ten competencies (half People-Focused, half Performance-Focused) and are defined by observable and measurable skills and behaviors that contribute to workplace effectiveness and career success. These competencies are used to evaluate performance, make hiring decisions, identify development needs, mobilize employees across our system, and establish a strong talent pipeline.