Physician Assistant Blood Donation & Apheresis

Site: The Brigham and Women's Hospital, Inc.

 

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The Kraft Family Blood Donor Center’s physician assistant (PA) is a key member of a multidisciplinary team that supports apheresis procedures used to collect blood and cellular products (e.g., hematopoietic stem cells [HPCs], mononuclear cells [MNCs]) and to oversee therapeutic apheresis (e.g., red blood cell exchange, therapeutic plasma exchange) in both clinical and research settings. While apheresis procedures are performed by apheresis nurses, PAs provide essential medical oversight, support, and management throughout the full course of care for patients and donors. At our center, apheresis is performed both for conventional clinical indications (e.g., commercial CAR-T and gene therapy) and as part of research studies (e.g. research gene and cell therapy cellular collections).
The PA in the Apheresis Core Facility will work a 20-hour work week: 10 hours per day, 2 days per week. Work occurs primarily in an outpatient clinical setting with an adult patient population requiring apheresis and/or blood collection.
Previous experience in bone marrow transplant, oncology, or research is desirable but not required. PA-I, PA-II and PA-III level candidates are all welcome to apply. Recent PA graduates are welcome and training will be provided on the job. The Blood Donation and Apheresis Facility PA provides assessment and therapeutic management of patient needs throughout the process of hematopoietic stem cell (HPC) collection and mononuclear cell (MNC) collection as an integral part of an interdisciplinary team.

 

Job Summary

The Blood Donation and Apheresis Facility PA works in collaboration with the attending physician, residents, fellows, nursing and administrative staff at the Kraft Family Blood Donor Center, as well as Dana-Farber Cancer Institute clinical and research staff. Following appropriate training within the Department, the PA is expected to manage patients that includes performing donor suitability assessments, obtaining medical histories, performing physical examinations, reviewing and ordering laboratory tests, providing clinical oversight/management for apheresis treatment, and coordinating follow-up accordingly. The PA will educate patient/family on apheresis-related topics and will participate in recruitment and consent of eligible research subjects for enrolled protocols. The PA will attend meetings to effectively enhance the clinical, consultation, education, and research services provided by the Center.
The PA is responsible for the assessment and management of various populations of patients, especially those with hematologic and other malignancies, developing appropriate plans of care through patient evaluation. The PA works under the supervision of an attending physician and reports directly to the department administrator and medical directors (Cellular Therapy Medical Director and Therapeutic Apheresis Medical Director).
The PA is also the first responder for acute clinical events at the Kraft Family Blood Donor Center and will perform initial on-site assessment. In collaboration with the rest of the provider team (attending physician, residents and/or fellows) the PA will assist with determination of patient disposition during such events.
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. 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.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Specific Responsibilities—Clinical Apheresis Setting
• Performs complete histories and physical examinations
• Performs donor/patient suitability assessments for apheresis procedures
• Orders, interprets, and evaluates appropriate laboratory and diagnostic tests
• Develops appropriate plans of care and follow-up based on diagnostic, laboratory, and physical examination findings
• Orders medications and writes prescriptions per organizational and regulatory policies and procedures
• Discusses patient data with other physicians and professionals as appropriate in a multidisciplinary setting
• Provides direct care, counseling, and teaching to designated patient populations in the ambulatory, inpatient, operative, peri-operative and/or procedural settings
• Recognizes situations requiring immediate physician attention and executes appropriately
• Evaluate patients with new apheresis patient consults as needed
• Assists with audits and quality/compliance activities related to clinical apheresis
• Records and reviews new patient cases with the supervising physician, paying special attention to details specific to the clinical trial in which the patient is enrolled
• Assists with navigating patients through their course of apheresis treatment/cellular collections from consultation through readiness for treatment to completion of care
• Formulates and implements post-apheresis follow-up care, including educating patients as needed
• Has a strong foundation in evaluating evidence-based care publications and applying this knowledge to patient treatment plans and patient education
• May be asked to work variable hours and/or provide backup coverage as needed
• Participates in the apheresis teaching/education of transfusion medicine residents and fellows

Additional Specific Responsibilities—Research Apheresis Setting
• Recruits and consents research subjects according to protocol specifications and IRB requirements
• Obtains informed consent from eligible research participants
• Educates research subjects on study procedures, risks, and benefits
• Assists in the reviews and determination of feasibility of new study protocols in collaboration with the medical director and apheresis research staff
• Assists with determining the complexity of new study protocols to provide anticipated budgets
• Reviews and provides input on documentation and workflows for new study protocols
• Communicates and collaborates with staff within Kraft and outside organizations to ensure successful procedures and follow-up for participants enrolled in clinical research studies
• Assists with audits and quality/compliance activities related to research studies.

Summary:
The Physician Assistant (PA) is a licensed provider. 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.
Does this position require Patient Care? Yes
Essential Functions: Provides direct care, counseling, and teaching to a designated patient population in the ambulatory, inpatient, operative, and/or procedural setting.
-Performs complete histories and physical examinations.
-Orders, interprets, and evaluates appropriate laboratory and diagnostic tests.
-Develops appropriate plans of care and follow-up based on the outcomes of diagnostic, laboratory, and physical examination findings.
-Orders medications and writes prescriptions according to organizational and regulatory policies and procedures.
-Consistently provides high quality and timely documentation including admission and progress notes, procedure notes, operative notes and discharge summaries.
-Performs bedside procedures as are appropriate to the patient population.

 

Education
Master's Degree Physician Assistant required

Can this role accept experience in lieu of a degree?
No

Licenses and Credentials
Physician Assistant [State License] - required

Experience
Previous experience in bone marrow transplant, oncology, or research is desirable but not required. Experience as a licensed Physician Assistant preferred.

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.

 

 

Onsite

 

75 Francis Street