STATEMENT OF PURPOSE:
A physician assistant (PA) provides health care services to patients under the direction and responsible supervision of a physician. PA's are academically and clinically trained to perform many of the routine but time-consuming tasks that physicians usually do, and are accountable for their own actions as well as being accountable to their supervising physicians.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
- Under the supervision of the PS's supervising physician and general supervision of the Medical Director, examines patients, takes medical history, records results, and makes preliminary diagnosis of disease, illness and injury and decides care plan, or follow-up procedures
- Assess patient health by interviewing patients, performing physical examinations, obtaining, updating and studying medical histories
- Identify short-term and long-range patient care issues that must be addressed; providing information; recommends options and course of action
- Administer or order diagnostic tests such as X rays, electrocardiograms, and blood work, and interprets test results
- Perform therapeutic procedures, such as immunizations, injections, suturing and wound care, and managing infection
- Instruct and counsel patients by describing therapeutic regimens, giving normal and abnormal development information, and promoting wellness and health maintenance
- Exercise professional judgment regarding consultation with supervising physicians concerning appropriate treatment
- Provides continuity of care by developing and implementing patient care plans, instructing and counseling patients, and recording progress
- Work in triage and makes decisions on patient care needs
- Maintain outpatient records by documenting patient care services
- Record statistics and conduct research and compiles reports as deemed necessary by the organization
- Perform referrals to specialists as needed, write prescriptions for medications and equipment, and perform office procedures within the scope of expertise, protocols, and available equipment
- Provide general health education regarding matters such as proper diet, family planning, emotional problems of daily living, and health maintenance
- Assist physician, as required, for emergency treatment and more complex procedures
- Instruct nurses, medical assistants, back office assistants regarding assistance with patient care
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
- Completion of a four-year accredited physician assistant baccalaureate program and a year of clinical training, OR
- Completion of a two-year accredited physician assistant program (which, in turn, requires two years of undergraduate study) plus two years of clinical training following completion of PA program
- State accreditation based on certifying exam. Continued employment requires 100 hours of continuing medical education every two years and passing a recertification examination every 6 years
Skills Required
- Completion of an accredited physician assistant program (either a four-year baccalaureate PA program with one year clinical training OR a two-year accredited PA program plus two years clinical training)
- State licensure/certification based on certifying exam (current PA license/credentials required)
- Maintain 100 hours of continuing medical education every two years and pass recertification examination every six years
- Clinical skills: ability to perform patient histories and physical exams, order and interpret diagnostic tests, administer immunizations and injections, perform suturing and wound care, triage, prescribe medications within scope
What We Do
Sun Life Health is a non-profit, Federally-Qualified Community Health Center that focuses on providing preventative healthcare and education to the community. With over 49 years of experience, it serves over 49,000 patients through services including primary care, ob/gyn, pediatrics, pharmacy, and dental care across multiple Arizona locations, including Casa Grande and Mesa, with a mission to help all people achieve their healthiest lives.
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