Sarah Jane Spencer, PA-C
Seattle,WA
Summary
Physician Assistant with 22 years of experience, to include neurosurgery / complex spine surgery and interventional physiatry, where I have practiced since November 2017. Prior to this, I worked in cardiology, cardiothoracic intensive care, pulmonology / critical care, nephrology, and family practice, specifically community health.
My professional goal is to work with team of professionals who foster a spirit of camaraderie and growth, who maintain a spirit of excellence for themselves and those around them, and who are committed to helping patient and colleague alike to seek their greatest potential.
Overview
40
40
years of professional experience
Work History
Physician Assistant
Swedish Hospital - Swedish Neuroscience Institute
11.2017 - Current
- Complex spine surgery at Swedish Neuroscience Institute, a fellowship based program with four attending surgeons and one interventional physiatrist.
- Inpatient responsibilities include performing admissions and consults, (for both the surgical team and interventional physiatry,) participating in daily rounds, providing medical management and postoperative care, performing discharges, and assisting in the OR when needed.
- Outpatient responsibilities include performing new patient evaluations, seeing established and postoperative patients, and performing comprehensive preoperative history and physicals, for both spine surgery and interventional physiatry.
- Integrating biomechanics education a into all patient interactions.
- Serve as a lead APC in my department.
- Created a comprehensive reference manual for the spine surgery team at SNI.
- Integral part of the surgical spine fellowship training and onboarding program.
Physician Assistant
University Of Washington Medical Center
12.2015 - 11.2017
- Cardiothoracic intensive care management
- Outpatient management of patients with valvular heart disease / catheter-based intervention - TAVRs and MitraClip procedures
- Interpreted echocardiogram reports and EKGs
- Managed heart failure and complex cardiac disease.
Physician Assistant
Pensacola Lung Group
10.2011 - 12.2015
- Inpatient duties included covering the intensive care units and managing floor patients with pulmonary disease in two hospitals
- Outpatient responsibilities included working in our outpatient pulmonary and sleep medicine clinic and covering a walk-in clinic to meet the urgent care needs of our patients
- Management of pulmonary disease in complex medical patients
- Interpreted pulmonary function tests
Physician Assistant
Pensacola Nephrology
03.2007 - 10.2011
- Managed complicated patients with acute and chronic kidney disease in the inpatient and outpatient setting, which included routine management of complicated issues of fluid balance and their co-morbidities: HTN, DM, hyponatremia, hyperparathyroid disease, and anemia.
- Supervised an outpatient hemodialysis unit
Physician Assistant
San Diego Family Care
02.2005 - 12.2006
- Managed the primary care needs of low income and immigrant patients in a community health center in the San Diego area, largely serving the Vietnamese and Mexican population
- Experience included pediatric medicine, women's health, and adult internal medicine
- Special skills included performing minor primary care procedures in the clinic along with developing effective use of Spanish to communicate with and care for our Spanish speaking patients.
Physician Assistant
Peninsula Community Health Services
12.2002 - 08.2004
- One physician, one extender practice in Poulsbo, WA, serving the acute and chronic needs of the local, underserved community, practicing both pediatric and adult medicine
- Additional skills included performing minor procedures, such as wound care, management of acute injuries, suturing, and excision of small lesions.
AmeriCorps Volunteer
AmeriCorps And The Medically Underserved Of Utah
01.1999 - 01.2000
- Wasatch Homeless Health Clinic: Homeless medical clinic in Salt Lake City
- Care coordinator: Responsibilities included care coordination for patients, outreach at the homeless shelter, and facilitator of multiple Harm Reduction Programs.
Exercise Physiologist
LDS Hospital
01.1997 - 01.1999
- In-patient cardiac rehabilitation therapist and outpatient supervision of stress testing for at-risk patients.
Exercise Physiologist
Cooper Clinic
01.1995 - 01.1997
- Outpatient supervision of stress testing for large, multi-disciplinary wellness center
Variety of Positions
ENMRSH
01.1984 - 01.1995
- Greater than ten year history of summer and after school employment working with individuals with developmental disabilities at ENMRSH, Eastern New Mexico Services for Rehabilitation, in Clovis, NM
- Served in a variety of teaching and supervisory positions, working alongside those whom I served - my work reflecting the mission of ENMRSH - which is to teach independent living skills to individuals with physical and developmental disabilities
Education
Master of Science - Physician Assistant Studies
University Of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT2002
Master of Science: Master Of Science - Exercise And Sports Sciences, Biomechanics
University Of North Texas
Denton, TX1997
Bachelors Of General Studies, Graduate - Biological Sciences, Social Sciences, Fine Arts
Texas Tech University
Lubbock, TX1994
Skills
- Authored a comprehensive online manual that serves as a tool for onboarding and reference for APC, fellows, and students
- Closely involved in the onboarding and training program for the spine fellowship program at Swedish Neuroscience Institute: this includes participating in interviews, developing an EMR training program, and creating a practice-based "survival guide"
- Created a billing and coding review document to optimize billing for neurosurgery APCs and physician colleagues
- Integrated my background in biomechanics, and extensive training in spine mechanics, into my practice to teach patient healthy, spine-sparing mechanics
Timeline
Physician Assistant
Swedish Hospital - Swedish Neuroscience Institute
11.2017 - Current
Physician Assistant
University Of Washington Medical Center
12.2015 - 11.2017
Physician Assistant
Pensacola Lung Group
10.2011 - 12.2015
Physician Assistant
Pensacola Nephrology
03.2007 - 10.2011
Physician Assistant
San Diego Family Care
02.2005 - 12.2006
Physician Assistant
Peninsula Community Health Services
12.2002 - 08.2004
AmeriCorps Volunteer
AmeriCorps And The Medically Underserved Of Utah
01.1999 - 01.2000
Exercise Physiologist
LDS Hospital
01.1997 - 01.1999
Exercise Physiologist
Cooper Clinic
01.1995 - 01.1997
Variety of Positions
ENMRSH
01.1984 - 01.1995
Master of Science - Physician Assistant Studies
University Of Utah
Master of Science: Master Of Science - Exercise And Sports Sciences, Biomechanics
University Of North Texas
Bachelors Of General Studies, Graduate - Biological Sciences, Social Sciences, Fine Arts
Texas Tech University
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