CAROLINE HAMILTON
Summary
Hard-working, compassionate Physician Assistant with experience in outpatient Palliative Care.
Well developed skills in symptom management, goals of care discussions, and working with a multidisciplinary team to care for complex patients. Expertise in cancer care and pain management as well as a desire for continued growth and educational opportunities.
Overview
4
4
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Palliative Care Physician Assistant
ChristianaCare
04.2021 - Current
- Work autonomously with own outpatient panel of approximately 60 patients seen at Helen F Graham Cancer Center
- See a variety of patients with life limiting chronic illnesses, including cancer, COPD, heart failure, dementia, Cystic Fibrosis and ESRD at all stages of illness
- Provide ongoing assessments of the impact of life-limiting chronic illness on the patient’s physical, functional, psychosocial and emotional needs
- Provide direct care to patients in clinic in collaboration with the interdisciplinary team of attending physicians, Social Workers, Nutritionists, Chaplain, and Psychologist
- Participate in biweekly Interdisciplinary Team meetings for development and evaluation of the patient's plan of care
- Attend weekly Multidisciplinary Clinic for patients with Colorectal Surgeon, Radiation Oncologist, and Medical Oncologist to provide multidisciplinary care and determine plan of care for patients with all stages of colorectal cancer
- Expertise in symptom management, including pain, dyspnea, nausea, anxiety/depression
- Frequently manage cancer related pain, and comfort with medications such as buprenorphine, methadone, and other opioids
- Facilitated goals of care discussions and discussed advance directives, including filling out DMOST
- Facilitated hospice discussions and transitions to hospice; worked directly with hospice agencies to ensure smooth transition for patients
- Worked 3-4 weekend shifts a year rounding on palliative inpatients and seeing new patient consults in hospital, for symptom management as well as goals of care discussions and psychosocial support
Physician Assistant, Internal Medicine
ST. LUKE'S HOSPITAL
01.2020 - 04.2021
- Worked as the nocturnist in a busy 82 bed hospital, completing all admissions from the ER during these hours, with average admission volumes overnight ranging from 6-18 admissions
- Was the sole St Luke's Internal Medicine provider in house from 12am-7am during all shifts
- Performed complete history and physical exams for an average of 6-12 patients per 12 hour overnight shift
- Responded, along with the critical care team, to all rapid responses on the floor
- Discussed and implemented diagnostic and treatment plans for these patients in conjunction with the critical care team
- Implemented treatment plan on all admitted patients including prescribing medications, ordering appropriate diagnostic and laboratory testing, and specialist consults based on symptom presentation
- Interpreted diagnostic studies as well as laboratory tests independently
- Educated patient's on chronic conditions such as heart failure, COPD, diabetes, coronary artery disease, and hypertension
- Worked as the floor call Internal Medicine provider for 2 hospital campuses for 2 of every 7 shifts, responding remotely to any emergent or non-emergent needs on the floor, including but not limited to patients presenting with altered mental status, worsening respiratory distress, falls, chest pain, or neurologic changes
- Completed patient census at the end of each shift, including assigning patients to Internal Medicine providers, placing patients in correct lists on Epic, and typing up and distributing patient list to all providers.
Education
MASTER OF SCIENCE: PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT STUDIES -
DeSales University
Center Valley, PA08.2019
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE: PSYCHOLOGY -
Villanova University
Villanova, PA05.2017
Skills
- Symptom Management of pain, dyspnea, nausea, depression/anxiety
- Goals of Care Conversations
- Hospice Transitions
- Patient Assessments and Physical Exam
- Interpreting labs and diagnostic tests
- Documenting office notes
- Performing Palliative Care Consults
- Implementing treatment plans
- Proficient in EPIC and PowerChart EMR
Accomplishments
2023 Excellence Award Nominee for APC excellence in Quality of Life Care presented by Delaware QOL coalition
Directed the Ambassadors Palliative Care Educational Series, an educational series for CME for clinical staff to learn primary palliative care
Dean's List all 8 semesters at Villanova University.
Two time Big East champion in the Javelin throw while at Villanova University
Four time Academic All American
Certification
- ACLS and BLS certified
- Certified EMT in Pennsylvania, 2015-2017
Leadership Experience
Director of Palliative Care Ambassadors Series (2021- present)
- Organized 4 month long annual educational lecture series at Christiana for physicians, advanced practice clinicians, nurses, and social workers on palliative care topics and offered CME credit
- Increased attendance in lectures by over 50%
Member of SPC (Supportive and Palliative Care) Educational Committee (2021- present)
- Attended monthly meetings
- Gave several lectures to oncology team on primary palliative care
- Worked with the committee to organize educational opportunities for palliative care team
Member of Health Equity for Black Patients Committee (2023- present)
- Attend bimonthly meetings
- Focus on health care disparities across race, and data collection for potential research projects on disparities in symptom management in lung cancer patients across races
Timeline
Palliative Care Physician Assistant
ChristianaCare
04.2021 - Current
Physician Assistant, Internal Medicine
ST. LUKE'S HOSPITAL
01.2020 - 04.2021
MASTER OF SCIENCE: PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT STUDIES -
DeSales University
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE: PSYCHOLOGY -
Villanova University
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