Physician Assistant

Job Summary

Assesses the physical and psychosocial status of patients by means of interview, health history, physical examination and diagnostic tests. Interprets the data, develops and implements a plan of treatment, follows through on a continuum of patient care across the health-illness continuum and life span within protocols set forth and approved by both the Physician Assistant and Physicians. Provides a wide spectrum of direct health care services to patients of all ages under the supervision of a licensed physician.

Essential Functions

• Responsive to all patients and office staff requests and needs.
• Documents all situations, both internally and externally, that may arise out of the ordinary or are necessary to maintain accurate patient charts/records.
• Helps maintain the work area in a neat and orderly fashion.
• Responsible for keeping supplies necessary to perform the job duties.
• Provides diagnosis and treatment of common acute illnesses; prevention and maintenance health care to patients with stable chronic illnesses; and performs interim physical examinations for healthy patients within prescribed guidelines.
• Elicits appropriate present and past medical history and review of systems.
• Performs appropriate physical examination and orders appropriate diagnostic studies.
• Discriminates between normal and abnormal findings in history and physical.
• Establishes appropriate differential diagnosis.
• Assesses stability of chronic illness and compliance with present therapy; monitors for complications of disease or therapy.
• Establishes appropriate treatment plan.
• Assesses need for hospitalization or physician intervention.
• Determines timing for follow-up and orders appropriate referrals.
• Counsels regarding health maintenance and disease prevention, and provides anticipatory guidance as appropriate.
• Provides health education to patients about ways to improve, promote, and maintain their health status.
• Maintains accurate records, medication lists, and documentation of care and follow-up for administrative purposes and reimbursement of services.
• Adheres to agreed-upon format/protocol for documentation or records.
• Reviews and updates problem list at least on annual visit/episodic visit by patient and initiates problem and medication lists on new patients seen.
• Documents telephone calls with patients and specialists.
• Documents visit in concise, clear, logical, and legible manner.
• Participates in a variety of educational activities in order to maintain and increase competency.
• Maintains licensure/certification.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Uses continuing education opportunities as a basis for expanding medical knowledge and improving clinical skills, and incorporates these into the daily practice of medicine.
• Participates in developing, implementing, and interpreting quality assurance/risk management programs.
• Supervises and intervenes with clinical issues and supports/directs triage by clinical staff when necessary.
• Implements clinical education and training or clinical staff when necessary.
• Provides in-services and clinical education for staff members on an as needed basis.
• Is available for feedback on call-back and triage issues as needed.
• Identifies barriers to patient care flow or delivery, and assists at formulating corrective action.
• Prescribes within the practice agreement set forth by supervising physicians 100% of the time.
• Ensures updated and accurate practice agreement every 2 years as set forth in rules and regulations for prescribing authority.
• Demonstrates regard for the dignity and respect for all patients, their families, guests, and representatives of other organizations as well as fellow employees, volunteers, and medical staff.
• Demonstrates responsibility for individual performance and efficient utilization of products, supplies, equipment, and time.
• Provides proper notification for all absences or tardiness, scheduled shift and scheduled time off in accordance with company policy.
• Employee follows established safety precautions and procedures in the performance of all duties in order to ensure a safe environment.
• Demonstrates a complete knowledge of body mechanics by consistent use in the work setting.
• Performs all other duties as assigned by authorized personnel or as required in an emergency, e.g., fire or disaster.