Physician Assistant

OVERVIEW:

Provides general medical care/examinations, diagnosis, treatment and at times follows up care or planning to patients in the hospital, the emergency room, Rural Health Clinic under the directions/collaboration of the Medical Director/physician.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

1. Obtain appropriate medical history and physical data on patients. Review existing patient records
2. Interprets and integrates data to determine appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic procedures needed
3. Performs appropriate level of physical exam and documents findings. Establishes presumptive diagnosis
4. Order appropriate laboratory and diagnostic procedures
5. Consult appropriately with physicians and other health professionals regarding patient status. Ensures that physicians are kept informed of any unusual or significant findings concerning their patient

RESPONSIBILITIES/KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS:

1. Works in collaboration/under protocols with Medical Director/Physician. Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes but is not limited to symptoms, treatment modalities, drug properties and interactions, and preventative health care measures. Performs patient assessments on in-patient, ER patient, and out-patients, as necessary.
2. Dictates H/P’s withing 48 hours of admission on the inpatients. H/Ps for swing bed patients will be pulled from acute chart
3. Dictates discharge summaries within 30 days of the patients discharge from the hospital
4. Completes ER and in-patient paperwork on the same day the patient is seen
5. Orders, interprets, and evaluates diagnostic tests to identify and assess the patient’s clinical problems and health care needs
6. When on call for the ER, and not in house, arrives within 30 minutes of being notified by the RN on duty that there is an ER patient to be seen
7. Accurately records physical findings and formulates a plan and prognosis based on the patient’s conditions and test results
8. Discusses patient cases with the Medical Director/Physician and other health care professionals as needed to prepare a comprehensive plan of care
9. Prescribes or recommends drugs or other forms of treatment such as but not limited to physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, inhalation therapy or related therapeutic procedures
10. Conducts services/procedures as needed according to those approved on the services request list
11. Instructs and counsels patients about prescribed therapeutic regimens, normal development, family planning, emotional problems of daily living and health
12. Times and dates all orders written in the patient chart
13. Assigns appropriate diagnosis for clinical signs, symptoms and diagnostic testing and physical presentation of the patient
14. Gives appropriate patient and family counseling regarding health status as needed
15. Orders appropriate diagnostic tests according to the patient’s clinical presentation
16. Accurately interprets diagnostic testing and orders appropriate treatments
17. Collaborates with physician, nurse and other health care staff as needed to best serve the patient
18. Prescribes/orders the appropriate medication and treatments as warranted for the clinical presentation of the patient
19. Always maintains confidentiality of patient/staff information according to HIPPA regulations to stay HIPPA compliant
20. Maintains an effective rapport with patients, visitors, physicians, and other hospital employees
21. Acts as a team leader during a Code Blue
22. Follows the Medical Staff Bylaws/Policies
23. Follows general hospital policies
24. Participates in Medical Staff Meetings
25. Works to promote the mission of the hospital
26. Perform any other duties that may be necessary for the operation of the corporation and/or hospital

QUALIFICATIONS:

1. High school diploma
2. Graduate from an accredited educational program for physician assistants
3. Current license in the state of North Carolina
4. National Certification as required by North Carolina Board of Healing Arts
5. BLS, ACLS, and PALS within one year of employment
6. CPR Certification

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

1. Frequent mobility and/or sitting required for extended periods of time
2. Manual dexterity and use of a calculator or computer keyboard.
3. Varied activities including standing, walking, reaching, bending, lifting
4. Occasionally lifts to 50 pounds
5. Requires corrected vision and hearing to normal ranges
6. Requires working under stressful conditions or working irregular hours
7. Exposure to communicable diseases, toxic substances, ionization radiation, medicinal preparations, and other conditions common to a hospital and/or clinic environment