Physician Assistant - GI Medical Oncology

The mission of The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center is to eliminate cancer in Texas, the nation, and the world through outstanding programs that integrate patient care, research and prevention, and through education for undergraduate and graduate students, trainees, professionals, employees and the public.

SUMMARY

The primary purpose of the Physician Assistant is to provide direct diagnostic and therapeutic patient care.  The PA impacts quality of patient care and patient outcomes throughout the care continuum.  Perform complex tasks on a routine basis which would otherwise be performed by a physician.  Provides quality direct and/or indirect patient care clinically, administratively, and/or academically. 

KEY FUNCTIONS

 Performs some or all the following:  

 Patient Care– 70%

• Provides assessment, triage, and management of patient and family needs throughout the disease process as an integral part of an interdisciplinary team.
• Obtains medical histories and performs physical examination.
• Completes documentation into the medical record.
• Orders and reviews diagnostic tests and imaging results.
• Formulates and manages patient treatment plans and outcomes. 
• Prescribes medications and signs medication orders in accordance with institution and state requirements.
• Provides appropriate patient education and completes required consents.
• Coordinates hospital admissions, as needed by the patient and as dictated by training.
• Conducts Hospice referrals and discharge planning.
• Orders and Coordinates procedures that are completed in other departments, i.e., Endoscopic procedures, CT-guided biopsies, fine needle aspirations, etc.
• Participates in the education and training of students and other healthcare providers.

Administrative – 15%

• Occasionally completes disability, insurance forms, and letters of medical necessity and peer to peer review for patients.
• Serves as a liaison for new patient referrals and consultations to the department
• Coordinates patient appointments as appropriate

Continuing Education – 5%

• Maintains all required certifications for employment by completing all required CME and all other requirements needed.
• Attends CME courses related Advanced Practice and any area related to the department specialty as funds and time allows.
• Attends departmental conferences and multidisciplinary meetings, as available.
• May deliver local, state, and national medical presentations.

Clinical Research – 10% 

• Collaborates with the medical staff, research nurse, and other health professionals to complete research initiatives.
• Assesses patients for protocol eligibility.
• Develop Treatment Plan (completes Clinical Content Template (CCT)) as dictated by the research protocol.
• Coordinate, evaluate and follow patient participation in clinical trials in both inpatient and outpatient
  settings.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary team to meet the needs of
  patients on clinical trials.
• Complete required documentation of research activities.
• Assist primary investigator in the collection and evaluation of data.
• Provide information to clinical teams to assist with management of protocol-related toxicities.
• Communicate pertinent patient responses to therapy with principal investigator, attending physician and other appropriate clinical team members.
• Educate patient regarding research trial requirement and potential toxicities.
• Occasionally performs chart reviews.