SUMMARY
Responsible for providing primary and urgent care to a diverse patient population, focusing on health maintenance, disease prevention, patient education, and counseling. Works under a Practice Agreement following established guidelines and within the established scope of practice.
Key duties and responsibilities
- Demonstrates the ability to perform physical exams on all patients, neonate through the geriatric population.
- Obtains and documents the patient's medical history. Identifies health risk factors.
- Demonstrates the ability to diagnose and treat common acute illnesses.
- Demonstrates the ability to diagnose and treat chronic illnesses such as diabetes and hypertension.
- Performs all aspects of patient care in an environment that optimizes patient safety and reduces the likelihood of medical/health care errors.
- Supports and maintains a culture of safety and quality.
- Orders and interprets diagnostic tests, i.e., laboratory work, x-rays, EKG.
- Provides well childcare; women's healthcare, prenatal care, family planning.
- Demonstrates the ability to prescribe medications (see individual state laws) and non-pharmacological therapies based on the patient's diagnoses, health history and age.
- Encourages positive health behaviors for the maintenance of health and the prevention of disease. This is done through education and counseling.
- Always applies standardized care guidelines in clinical practice.
- Provides patient and/or family with health education, counseling and referrals to other healthcare professionals and community resources when appropriate.
- Assesses and documents patient and/or family psycho-social issues.
- Treats patients and families with respect and dignity. Maintains high patient satisfaction scores.
- Collaborates with physicians and other members of the health team to plan optimal care for the patient.
- Works with the patient and family to formulate a patient treatment and education plan.
- Knowledge, skills, and abilities
- Provides follow-up care, determines the effectiveness of the treatment plan, reassesses and changes the plan as needed.
- Documentation meets all standards and policies. Documentation includes all findings, interventions and results. Appropriately codes E&M at appropriate levels, without over or under coding. Completes and signs all documentation timely, usually at the point of service, but no later than the end of the shift.
- Maintains patient confidentiality at all times.
- Functions as a patient advocate.
- Demonstrates the ability to be flexible, organized, and function under stressful situations.
- Participates in performance improvement and continuous quality improvement (CQI) activities.
- Stays current with medical advancements, new technology, new drugs through continuing education classes, society meetings, professional journals, etc.
- Attends all departmental, organizational, and medical staff committee meetings as appropriate.
- Meets the organization’s requirements for participation in government and private payer incentive programs, such as PQRS and Meaningful Use.
- Completes patient charts following appropriate documentation guidelines in a timely manner.
- Assists with the development and implementation of specific policies and procedures.
- Credentials/Education/Experience
- Bachelor's Degree in Health Sciences, etc.
- Graduate of an accredited Physician Assistant Program.
- Current Physician Assistant license from the California Physician Assistant Board
- The scope of practice is related directly to the PA’s supervising physician and California laws.
- Current BCLS certification.
- Registered with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Registration must be obtained within the first six (6) months of employment.
- Basic computer knowledge. Ability to master efficient use of EMR.
- Able to perform minor office surgeries, apply casts and splints, laceration repairs. (Training will be provided if needed)
- Basic X-ray interpretation. (Training will be provided if needed)
- Telemedicine evaluations for common minor injuries and illnesses.
- Able to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing.
- Able to communicate effectively in Spanish is highly desirable.
Condition of employment
If not vaccinated, must be masked during Flu and cold season per CDC and county guidelines.
Proof of identity and legal authority to work in the U.S. is a condition of employment.
