Brain Injury Attending Physician

The Physician serves as the leader of designated team with the primary responsibility of managing the care of the patient, providing comprehensive assessment, diagnosis and management of various medical conditions, depending on their specialty. This includes, but is not limited to, ordering and interpreting diagnostic and laboratory tests, prescribing pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatments, including ordering/referring to various therapy disciplines, and ordering specific therapeutic interventions, including therapy modalities, splinting, assistive devices, adaptive equipment and assistive technology, in the direct management of acute and chronic illness and complications of injury.

This role promotes health and the prevention of illness and injury, and practices autonomously and in collaboration with other health care professionals to treat and manage patient health issues.

The Physician role also leads and performs other activities related to direct patient/family care, consultation, research, patient/family/groups/community advocacy to holistically care for complex patient care needs.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Maintains a current knowledge of the specialty of practicing specialty.

• Adheres to overall policies of Shepherd Center regarding care of all patients.

• Reviews records and detailed medical history from patient including current physical ailments or illness, past medical history, review of systems, family history, social history, medications, and allergies.

• Determines appropriate diagnosis and prescribes specialized treatment plans.

• Issues orders for needed lab work and evaluates lab results.

• Prescribes medications or drugs and provides instructions for administration.

• Provides inpatient on call coverage for the entire hospital (PM&R and pulmonary/critical care physicians only)

• Provides outpatient on call coverage based on the clinic in which physician works.

• Provides coverage of inpatients in colleagues absence

• Refers to consulting physicians as indicated but maintains overall management responsibility of patients.

• Communicates as needed and/or requested by team members with patient and family through conferences as well as on a continuing basis.

• Consults and works with program directors to assist in the program with team building and the daily management of patients.

• Serves as leader of interdisciplinary team.

• Cooperates with other departments in solving mutual concerns and problems as they affect outpatient clinical function.

• Assists in clinical supervision of staff in outpatient clinic.

• Develops and solicits research grants and encourages participation by all qualified personnel.

• Abides by the policies and procedures of the Research Review Committee of Shepherd Center.

• Supervises Advanced Practice Providers and/or residents and fellows. 

• Train and supervise residents and fellows in accordance with affiliated medical schools and ACGME requirements.

• Works with management to maintain a comprehensive, integrated and effective quality assurance program.

• Assists the clinical staff in development and provision of educational teaching programs for the Center to include staff and patients.

• Assists Shepherd administration regarding public relations activities, community outreach, education and physician recruiting.

• Serve on hospital committees.

• Assists the Chief Medical Officer as requested. 

• Practices proper safety techniques in accordance with Center and departmental policies and procedures. Responsible for the reporting of employee/patient/visitor injuries or accidents, or other safety issues to the supervisor and in the occurrence notification system.  

• Monitors and ensures compliance with all regulatory requirements, organizational standards, and policies and procedures related to area of responsibility. Identifies potential risk areas within area of responsibility and supports problem resolution process.

REQUIRED MINIMUM EDUCATION:

• Graduate of an accredited, four-year medical school or DO program.

• Successful completion of an Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)– or American Osteopathic Association (AOA)–accredited residency and/or fellowship n practicing specialty.

​REQUIRED MINIMUM CERTIFICATION:

• Board Eligible/Board Certified

• Licensed to practice medicine in the state of Georgia.

• Current DEA registration

• Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS)

REQUIRED MINIMUM EXPERIENCE:

• Fellowship training or minimum two years’ experience in practicing specialty.

REQUIRED MINIMUM SKILLS:

• Knowledge/experience using advanced techniques, theories, and processes to complete work.

• Demonstrate a commitment to the total quality of life and integration for persons who have experienced catastrophic injuries that extends into the community beyond their medical implications.

• Demonstrate leadership style that promotes collaborative and positive behaviors.

• Completes orientation and initial assessment of competency successfully by determined due date.

• Completes mandatory education and annual competency assessment requirements by determined due date.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• N/A

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Uses body, tools, or special devices to safely, effectively, and efficiently to move, guide, or place patients. Involves some latitude for judgement with regard to precision attained and the selection of what adaptive device(s) to utilize.

• Ability to transfer and position patients, consistent with lifting up to 50 lbs.

WORKING CONDITIONS:  

• Some potential for exposure to blood and body fluids.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this classification.  They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by the personnel so classified.