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Colon Rectal Surgery

PAs in Colon and Rectal Surgery (CRS) is among the most valuable attributes to the comprehensive care of the colon and rectal surgical patient. In addition to performing history and physicals as they pertain to this surgical focus, CRS PAs function as a fully integrated member of CRS team in pre-, intra- and post-operative care of the CRS patient.

Most CT PAs work 50-60 hours each week, performing pre-operative assessments using diagnostic procedures, serving as first surgical assistant and functioning as primary care PA. They have extensive knowledge of pharmacologic effects of drugs specific to the colon and rectum as well as advanced understanding of surgical anatomy, including but not limited to the neurovascular anatomy.

One of the finer points of this specialty is the ability to not only work with patients who are afflicted with benign colon, rectal and anal disease, but to work with patients affected with neoplastic disease of the colon, rectum and anus. This brings the understanding of not only how to treat the CRS patient from a surgical approach, but combines the understanding of multi-modality therapies of medical oncology and radiation oncology.

 

Job Qualifications

Highly technical and demanding skills are mastered through years of physician assistant practice, master degree and post-graduate surgical residency.

Duties & Responsibilities
  • Performs patient histories and physical exams
  • Conducts pre-operative assessment using diagnostic procedures, such as digital rectal examination, colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, anoscopy, endo-rectal ultrasound and anal manometry
  • Exhibits autonomy in the operating room when required
  • Performs first assistant duties with complete knowledge of the disease process and whole patient care scenario
  • Manages post-operative patient care until discharge
  • Enables continuity of care by managing patient care in pre-, intra- and post-operative settings
  • Has extensive knowledge of the pharmacologic effects of drugs specific to the colon and rectum
  • Understands surgical anatomy, including but not limited to the neurovascular anatomy
  • Performs duties of a primary care PA
  • Manages other disease entities frequently encountered in the CRS population

 

 

Share your Expertise!

AASPA is recruiting PAs who practice in a speciality area to help us improve this portion of the site. This is a great way to share your unique knowledge and build your resume. If you would like to write a speciality practice area description, please email Gerald Simons, PA-C, gtsimons@gmail.com.

Surgical PA Specialties

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