BASIC FUNCTION AND RESPONSIBILITY

Assist the faculty in performance of direct patient care services for adult general Gastroenterology and to perform direct patient care services under faculty supervision.

CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

I.    Outpatient Clinics

• New patients assigned to the out patient clinics:
  • Prepare a complete, detailed and accurate initial patient history and perform a complete physical exam of selected patients in the outpatient clinic.
  • Present the history and physical exam to the GI faculty and participate in potential re-examination of the patient by the faculty.
  • Develop a diagnostic and therapeutic management plan under faculty supervision.
  • Order and follow up on laboratory tests, X-rays, GI procedures, and ultrasound procedures.
  • Coordinate and triage emergency add-on patients.
• Patients assigned to a PA subspecialty:
  • Develop and manage a “return” patient clinic for patients at high risk of developing GI malignancy.
  • Develop and carry out a plan for surveillance of patients with pre-malignant conditions of the digestive tract including Barrett’s metaplasia and colonic adenomas.  This will include performing an appropriate interval history and physical examination, facilitation of the surveillance procedure, follow-up and reporting of the results, arrangements for repeat examination at appropriate intervals and development of a patient registry and data base.

II.   Diagnostic and Therapeutic Unit

• Procedure preparations:
  • With respect to the above outpatient procedures, the physician’s assistant will be expected to participate in discussion and interpretation of study results and correspondence with house staff and referring physicians as needed. 
  • The PA will also be accountable for patient education, the informed consent process, serve as a resource for patients’ questions/concerns, monitor patient adherence to dietary restrictions, and preparation of the patient for procedures.
  • The PA could perform procedure consent and history and physicals (H&P) in the Digestive Health Procedure unit as desired. 
• Procedure unit coordination:
  • Maintain responsibility for handling all details, including follow-up related to the following procedures:
  • Twenty-four hour pH probe; endoscopy of the upper GI tract (including esophagus, stomach, and proximal duodenum with brushing, biopsy, culture and aspiration of fluid were needed); proctoscopy, rigid and flexible sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy; breath hydrogen testing for disaccharide intolerances; gastric emptying, gastrointestinal manometric and sensory testing; and other activities related to the patient’s gastrointestinal problems that may be deemed appropriate by faculty.
  • Establish and maintain standards of collaborative interaction among peers and employees that is characterized by respect, honesty, and service; assure that all unit members are held to similar standards and ethics.
  • Inspire and motivate others to high performance by exercising strong stewardship of University resources, setting expectations, measuring success through individual performance evaluations, and driving organizational results.
  • Identify opportunities for and create development plans that encourage employees to attend to the growth of their personal and professional capacity; engage self and staff in collective reflection of the University’s greater role in society.
  • Follow general policies and procedures in accordance with the regulations of The University of Iowa, College of Medicine, and the Department of Internal Medicine.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.