Physician Assistant

Job Summary: Responsible for practicing medicine with physician supervision including conducting examinations and writing prescriptions. Within physician–physician assistant (PA) relationship, PAs exercise autonomy in medical decision making and provide a broad range of diagnostic and therapeutic services. May have responsibility for education, research, and administrative services.

Primary Job Responsibilities:

1. Examines patients, obtains medical histories, and assesses health status.
2. Orders, performs, and interprets diagnostic tests. 
3. Prescribes medications, and treats illnesses including giving injections and suturing wounds.
4. Consults with physicians as needed and refers to physicians for more complicated medical cases or cases that are not a routine part of a PA’s scope of work.
5. Monitors therapies and provides continuity of care.
6. Triages patient calls and evaluates patient problems. Responds to emergencies including use of CPR.
7. Coordinates appropriate specialty referrals.
8. Counsels patient/family on preventive health care.
9. Reviews patient records to develop comprehensive medical status reports.
10. Documents patient information and care in medical record.
11. Maintains department statistical database for research purposes.
12. Performs other duties as assigned.

Education: Bachelor’s degree and successful completion of accredited physician assistant program.

Experience: Four years of health care experience prior to applying to PA program, plus one year of experience as PA, preferably in clinic setting.

Other Requirements:

• National certification from the National Commission on Certification of PAs. To maintain their national certification, PAs must log 100 hours of continuing medical education every two years and sit for a recertification every six years.
• State PA license also required.
• Current CPR certificate required.
• First Assist Experience Required.
• Spine or Orthopedic Experience Preferred.

Performance Requirements:

Knowledge:

1. Knowledge of medical model and roles of physicians and physician assistants. Familiar with medical terminology, anatomy, pharmacology, pathophysiology, clinical medicine, and physical diagnosis.
2. Knowledge of patient assessment techniques including taking medical histories, performing physicals, evaluating health status including state of wellness, and compliance with care recommendations.
3. Knowledge of diagnosing and treating medical problems and developing care plans.
4. Knowledge of medical records documentation in confidential manner.

Skills:

1. Skill in gathering and analyzing physiological, socioeconomic, and emotional patient data.
2. Skill in accurately evaluating patient problems in person or via phone and providing appropriate advice, intervention, or referral.
3. Skill in developing/revising patient care plan based on patient status.

Abilities:

1. Ability to understand complex medical information.
2. Ability to make responsible decisions within scope of PA practice and function independently.
3. Ability to collaborate effectively with physicians on complicated cases.
4. Ability to educate patients, families, staff and external customers in user-friendly manner.
5. Ability to demonstrate eye–hand coordination, full range of motion, and manual dexterity.
6. Ability to competently use Microsoft Office.

Equipment Operated: Medical instruments required for physical exams and minor surgery and computer hardware/software.

Work Environment: Medical office and exam room settings. Frequent exposure to communicable diseases, biohazards, and other conditions common to clinic. Frequent contact with variety of people.

Physical Requirements: Must possess the physical and mental abilities to perform the tasks normally associated with a Physician Assistant such as standing, sitting, walking, bending, stooping, and twisting. Occasionally helps to transfer patient. High level of responsibility and heavy workload can generate stress and occasionally may involve irregular working hours.