Physician Assistant-Texas Orthopaedic Associates (2221)

Job Summary: 

The Physician Assistant – Clinical Coordinator provides clinical and surgical care to patients under the direction of the supervising orthopaedic surgeon while coordinating the clinical, operational, and administrative functions of the practice. The role evaluates and treats patients in clinic and via telemedicine, assists in surgery, supports perioperative and postoperative care, manages patient throughput, and drives workflow and research coordination. The position requires sound clinical judgment, efficient documentation, strong communication, and a commitment to patient safety and service.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: The essential duties of the position include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Key Functions:

•  Evaluate, diagnose, and manage new and established patients in clinic and via telemedicine, including imaging review and postoperative follow-ups.
• Provide patient education regarding treatment options, surgical interventions, and post-surgery expectations.
• Prescribe and manage medication, imaging, diagnostic, and physical therapy orders and referrals.
• Perform in-office shoulder injections and other authorized procedures.
• Conduct preoperative appointments and complete clinical documentation for all encounters using practice dictation and templates.
• Assist in surgery as needed, including coverage during provider absences.
• Contact and collect patient histories prior to new patient consultations.
• Manage and triage postoperative concerns
• Respond to and triage patient portal messages and calls according to clinical urgency.
• Draft and revise letters of medical necessity and clinical notes to support surgical authorization.
• Compose and complete patient letters, work-status and disability documentation, and other clinical forms.
• Field peer-to-peer calls as needed.
• Support outreach to referral sources, including physical therapists, primary care providers, and allied referring partners.
• Support out-of-state patient care coordination, including telemedicine follow-up, local therapy, imaging, and suture removal, and maintain and communicate the out-of-state workflow.
• Coordinate and communicate care planning with referring providers and referred-to physical therapists.
• Develop and maintain clinical workflows, protocols, documentation templates, and staff procedures.
• Develop, review, and manage patient education and social media content.
• Coordinate staff scheduling and coverage for team absences.
• Coordinate vendor in-services for clinical technologies (e.g., bone stimulation, e-stim, virtual physical therapy).
• Troubleshoot operational issues and escalate concerns appropriately.
• Monitor and order clinical, preoperative, and office supplies as needed.
• Monitor and respond to online patient reviews.
• Support research investigations and related patient-data collections.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

This position ordinarily has no direct supervisory responsibilities. The Physician Assistant may provide clinical and workflow guidance to medical assistants, technicians, students, or other team members when assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

This position ordinarily has no direct supervisory responsibilities. The Physician Assistant may provide clinical and workflow guidance to medical assistants, technicians, students, or other team members when assigned.

Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education/Experience: Graduation from an ARC-PA accredited Physician Assistant program. Minimum two (2) years of orthopaedic experience preferred; surgical first-assist experience preferred. New graduates may be considered based on training, clinical rotations, and practice needs.

Language Ability: Ability to read and interpret medical records, clinical protocols, and regulatory requirements; document clear notes, orders, and correspondence; and explain diagnoses and treatment plans in language patients and families can understand.

Math Ability: Ability to add, subtract, multiple and divide on all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions and decimals.

Reasoning Ability: Ability to synthesize clinical information, establish differential diagnoses, recognize changes in patient condition, solve practical problems, and determine when consultation or escalation to the physician is required.

Computer Skills: Ability to type 45 WPM, basic proficiency in Microsoft Outlook/Office, and experience using or ability to learn and comprehend computer programs.

Certificates and Licenses:  Current NCCPA certification; current, unrestricted Physician Assistant license in Texas; prescriptive authority and controlled-substance registration (including DEA) as required; current BLS certification (ACLS may be required based on facility policy). Must obtain and maintain hospital, ambulatory surgery center, and payer credentials and privileges.

Work Environment: Work is performed in clinic, examination rooms, hospitals, operating rooms, and ambulatory surgery centers. Possible exposure to blood, bodily fluids, sharps, radiation, and other occupational hazards; required PPE must be used. Typical schedule is Monday–Thursday with a half-day Friday and may include occasional early mornings, evenings, weekends, travel between sites, and call coverage.

Physical Demands: The position requires frequent standing, walking, reaching, and manual dexterity, including extended standing during surgery and procedures. Must possess sufficient dexterity and visual acuity to perform examinations, assist with surgery, administer injections, and operate clinical equipment; must be able to lift or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally assist with greater weights using appropriate personnel and safe patient-handling procedures; and must wear required protective equipment for extended periods. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Position typically works 8 hours per day, but the schedule may vary.  Time standing and time sitting will vary. The position requires the ability to reach with hands or arms.  Occasionally, the position will be required to stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl and possibly lift objects weighing up to 10 pounds.  To successfully perform the duties of the job, the ability to talk and hear is required. Must have visual ability to view computer monitor.