Saratoga Bariatric and Weight Loss Program, a service of Saratoga Hospital Medical Group, seeks a NYS-licensed Physician Assistant to join our bariatric surgery care team.  Find our program at www.saratogabariatriccenter.com

An APP (PA) in this role will provide perioperative management and weight loss management of bariatric patients in collaboration with Dmitri Baranov, MD, our bariatric surgeon, and our bariatric team.  The role includes first assist duties, pre-operative and post-operative patient care management and development of plan of care, intraoperative technique and expertise and postoperative care.  Office responsibilities include: care of post-operative bariatric patients from the day of hospital discharge, assessment and evaluation of lab work, patient testing, and medical weight loss management, etc.

Light call coverage required, approximately 1:6, shared with APPS, mostly by phone. On some occasions, may need to present in person for surgical emergency or emergency consult. 

Excellent communication skills are required with patients, family members and colleagues.  This candidate will function as a clinical role model, leading clinical skill development, fostering critical thinking skills, promoting safe practice and acting as a consult/liaison as needed.  Active participation in applicable committees and continuing education through workshops, conferences, in-services and self-study is expected.  Call responsibilities and phone triage will be shared among the group of four.

The Saratoga Bariatric Surgery and Weight-Loss Program at Saratoga Hospital is accredited as a comprehensive bariatric facility by the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP).

The Physician Assistant serves as an additional patient care provider, augmenting and extending patient services provided by the health care team. The PA will work closely with members of the team and have a reasonable amount of autonomy in the care and medical decision-making for patients. A few highlights of responsibilities:

• Obtains, documents and updates medical history. Identifies health risks and needs. Performs physical examinations and conducts preventive screening procedures based on age and history. Formulates a differential diagnosis and plan of care based on history, physical examination, and clinical findings. Identifies needs of the individual, family, or community.
• Orders and review diagnostic tests. Identifies, prescribes, and manage pharmacological therapies.
• Determines effectiveness of the plan of care through documentation of patient care outcomes.
• Reassesses and modifies plan of care as necessary to achieve medical and health goals.
• Makes referrals to other health professionals and community agencies. Admits/discharges to appropriate service.
• Participates in team meetings and conferences to enhance an interdisciplinary approach to health care delivery.
• Serves on departmental and multidisciplinary committees, which influence or determine policies affecting advanced practice providers.
• Participates in and develops projects and quality improvement programs, as well as standards of care and practice.
• Maintains current level of knowledge relative to professional practice.
• Maintains all required professional documentation, such as license, certifications, infection control, ACLS/BLS, DEA as well as system requirements.
• Acts as resource to staff and implements educational programs, as needed.

Qualifications

One to two years of experience and current license to practice as a Physician Assistant in New York State