SUMMARY:

The Structural Heart Disease Fellowship at Tucson Medical Center/THMEP is a one-year non-ACGME-accredited clinical program designed to prepare an interventional cardiologist with the proficiencies required to perform structural heart procedures, manage cardiogenic shock, placement of percutaneous mechanical circulatory support devices including percutaneous left ventricular assist devices and high risk PCI, as well as large bore vascular access management, including percutaneous trans axillary artery access and closure. The physician in training would be expected to participate as the primary operator in SHD/HRPCI interventions, and contribute to the academic and teaching undertakings at the institute. One day per week will be dedicated to the valve clinic to evaluate new and post-procedure patients. Each week the fellow would be in the cardiac catheterization lab to perform diagnostic/PCI catheterizations to ensure sustained competency in coronary intervention as well complex PCIs and SHD interventions daily. The fellow would participate in daily clinical rounds, in the heart team meetings held on a weekly basis, and work cohesively with the team coordinators.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS :

Train an interventional cardiologist to independently perform all aspects of a structural heart procedure and HRPCI.

Pre-procedural assessment and appropriateness for interventions.

Interpretation of invasive/noninvasive data, in-depth patient/family discussion regarding risk and benefit,

Perform the procedure as primary operator, Post-procedural follow-up and complication management.

Delivers healthcare in a professional manner that strives to meet or exceed those criteria set forth by NCQA, OSHA, CLIA, JCAHO, as well as the internal standards that seek continuous quality improvements. 

Remains in compliance with the terms of the contract as well as all clinical and employment-related policies and procedures, terms and conditions.

Adheres to TMC organizational and department-specific safety, confidentiality, values policies and standards.

Performs related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION:  Doctor of Medicine degree.

EXPERIENCE: Must have completed Internal Medicine Residency, Cardiology Fellowship, and either Interventional Cardiology Fellowship OR Cardiac Surgery Fellowship

LICENSURE OR CERTIFICATION: AZ Training Permit or AZ Medical License (for moonlighting if approved by Program Director)

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES: 

• The ability to take a clear and concise history that is both organized and comprehensive and that follows from the leads produced by the presenting complaints of the patient. Understanding the natural history of untreated and previously treated structural abnormalities.
• The ability to perform a physical examination that is organized and detailed as well as the ability to carry out a focused examination in certain settings which may preclude a comprehensive examination.
• The acquisition of a knowledge base that is broad, current, and that includes the critical analytical skills to interpret studies; and the establishment of this learning process as a professional life-long process. This should encompass normal physiology and pathophysiology as well as a wide spectrum of diseases that include common medical illnesses as well as common diseases involving other specialties, such as neurology, hematology, nephrology, psychiatry, cardiothoracic and vascular surgery, heart failure and cardiac transplantation, that the invasive cardiologist is likely to see in medical practice.
• Detailed knowledge of the specific techniques and interpretation of the results of imaging.
• The development of competency in dealing with specific groups of patients who share common problems and for whom specific expertise is required such as the geriatric population, women, and adolescents.
• The enhancement of humanistic qualities in interactions with patients, emphasizing respect, compassion, and regard for their general sense of participation in the decisions affecting their care.
• The development of communication skills that stress discussion of matters of importance to the patient in comprehensible terms. Utilization of the proper communication skills should include the capacity to transmit discouraging as well as favorable information to the patient, the former with appropriate sensitivity and understanding.
• An understanding of the ethical basis of medical practice and the patient-physician relationship, and understanding of the appropriate boundaries of the relationship. The ethical considerations related to interpersonal and economic conflicts of interest should be appreciated.
• The appropriate utilization of screening tests for preventive care in the adult patient.
• The development of skills in working as a member of a team of health care professionals in a multidisciplinary approach to the care of the patient.
• The development of the capacity to practice in a variety of venues including the cardiac catheterization laboratory, operating rooms, ambulatory care setting, the hospital inpatient setting, the emergency ward and the critical care and recovery units.
• Complication management and adjunctive treatment.
• Participation in regional or national registries for data entry, quality improvement, and evaluation of outcomes.