Under the general clinical supervision of the Chief Medical Officer, and under the general administrative supervision of the VP of Physician & Diagnostic Services, is responsible for specialized knowledge and experience related to the diagnosis, preoperative, operative, and postoperative management of referred patients.

Responsibilities

Assessment and Diagnosis/Preoperative

1 Analyze patient's medical history, medication allergies, physical condition, and diagnostic results to verify need for surgical intervention; determination of best surgical methodology; and surgical risk
2 Involves the patient and family in the proposed plan of care, educating on diagnosis, plan, desired outcomes and potential complications
3 When surgical intervention is needed, obtains all necessary consent after explaining plan/risks/benefits to the patient and/or authorized person acting on behalf of the patient
4 Confers with other medical professionals as needed to determine the patient's medical status is optimized prior to surgery or is optimized for best possible outcome with non-surgical management
5 If having surgery, confirms patient has no new information that would interfere with readiness before proceeding with surgical intervention

Treatment/Intraoperative

1 Direct and coordinate activities of nurses, assistants, specialists, and other staff participating in the surgical care of patients
2 Refer patient to medical specialist or other practitioners when necessary
3 Participate as a key stakeholder in surgical services, providing input on planning, scheduling and coordination; determination of safely performed elective procedures based on outcomes data and facility needs/capabilities; and procurement of supplies and equipment
4 Performs a wide range of surgeries expertly, anticipating and correcting post-operative problems resulting from co-morbid conditions and stress of surgery
5 Possess the necessary motor skills to effectively and expertly use surgical instruments
6 Handles daily patient rounds on surgical patients, providing patient education and discharge summaries when appropriate
7 Conducts safety reviews/timeout checklist before, during and after the procedure to ensure nothing has been overlooked and that patient safety is maintained at all times
8 Evaluates trauma victims, institutes immediate therapy, helps with operative management where appropriate, and follows the patient through transfer where necessary when needs exceed capabilities of hospital

Follow up/Post-operative

1 Evaluates patients' post-surgically, taking appropriate corrective actions to optimize patient recovery
2 Follows patient as long as is appropriate in the post-surgical period
3 Assists post procedure clinical staff with determinants for decision making when patients have recovered or are stable enough to be sent to another room or to be sent home following surgery

Support functions

1 Ensures the patient experience is optimized by involving the patient and family with thorough explanations; being professional, empathetic, and responsive; and instilling confidence
2 Provide personal assistance, medical attention, and emotional support to patients and families
3 Keeps up-to-date technically and applies new knowledge for best practice in the department
4 Ensures that necessary patient documentation is timely, accurate, complete, and is compliant with CMS conditions of participation
5 Utilizes the current Electronic Medical Record to complete the documented Best Practice Workflows when appropriate