Physician Assistant

POSITION SUMMARY:

Under the direction of the Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Medical Director, and other supervising physicians in the absence of the SNF Medical Director, the Physician’s Assistant for the SNF (PA) is responsible for providing healthcare services to residents at Modoc Medical Center’s Skilled Nursing facilities, focusing on health maintenance, disease prevention, patient education and counseling. The PA works under a physician following established guidelines as required and within established scope of practice. 

This position description is intended to identify some of the duties and responsibilities of this position. MODOC MEDICAL CENTER reserves the right to modify, supplement, delete or augment the duties and responsibilities specified in this position description, at MODOC MEDICAL CENTER’S sole and absolute discretion.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

General Competencies:

1. The Physician Assistant will practice as part of a team under the direction of their supervising physician.
2. Professional behavior is demonstrated always, both when on duty and as a representative of the hospital outside of normal work hours.
3. A positive working relationship with patients, visitors, and facility staff is demonstrated. 
4. Organizational ability and time management is demonstrated.  
5. Produces deliverable products on time, within budget and with minimal direction.
6. In depth knowledge of patient care clinical standards, systems, external regulations and internal policies. 
7. Demonstrates leadership skills to effectively manage complex workflow and multiple priorities. 
8. Strong interpersonal skills for effective collaboration and problem solving with all levels of management and staff. 
9. Strong written and verbal communication skills. 
10. Examines patients, performs comprehensive physical examinations, and compiles patient medical data, including health history and results of physical examination.
11. Administers or orders diagnostic tests, such as imaging studies, electrocardiogram, and laboratory tests, and interprets test results for deviations from normal.
12. Performs therapeutic procedures such as injections, immunizations, suturing and wound care, and managing infection.
13. Performs other department specific diagnostic or therapeutic procedures.
14. Develops and implements patient management plans, records progress notes, and assists in provision of continuity of care.
15. Instructs and counsels patients regarding compliance with prescribed therapeutic regimens, normal growth and development, family planning, emotional problems of daily living, and health maintenance and other relevant patient education.
16. Facilitates admissions, transfers, and discharges.
17. Rounds on residents of the skilled nursing facility.
18. Performs admission evaluation on patients to include: obtaining basic medical information and history, reviewing patient's medical record, performing physical exam, documenting findings into patient medical record, and reporting deviations from normal findings to attending physician.
19. Reviews patient chart noting allergies, pertinent medical history, and abnormal physical findings.
20. Facilitates patient discharge; dictates discharge and transfer summaries in a timely manner.
21. Works efficiently to provide quality primary care in a skilled nursing setting such as examining patients to diagnose injuries and illnesses, providing treatment, and actively promoting preventative care.
22. Communicates effectively with patients, physicians, nurses, therapists, social workers and other staff as necessary to assure proper diagnosis and treatment.
23. Obtains, compiles, and records patient medical data, including health history, progress notes and results of physical examination.
24. Ensures efficient and thorough documentation of visits as required per Medicare guidelines.
25. Signs care plans, gives nursing orders and PT orders, orders the use of medical equipment, and signs all required documents, such as face-to face encounters, plan of care forms, etc.
26. Functions as a patient advocate.
27. Demonstrates the ability to be flexible, organized and function under stressful situations.
28. Participates in performance improvement and continuous quality improvement activities.
29. Stays current with medical advancements, new technology, new drugs through continuing education classes, society meetings, professional journals, etc. 
30. Attends all departmental, organizational and medical staff committee meetings as appropriate. 
31. Assists with development and implementation of specific policies and procedures.
32. Uses best practices to deliver quality healthcare and ensure patient safety.
33. Complies with the medical staff bylaws of Modoc Medical Center.

Professional Requirements:

1. Adheres to dress code; appearance is neat and professional.
2. Completes annual education requirements if applicable.
3. Maintains regulatory requirements.
4. Maintains patient confidentiality at all times. 
5. Wears identification while on duty.
6. Complies with all organizational policies regarding ethical business practices. 
7. Reports to work on time and as scheduled; completes work in designated time.
8. Attends all meetings as appropriate.
9. Exhibits the mission, ethics and goals of Modoc Medical Center in the performance of job duties.
10. Willingness to work beyond normal working hours when necessary.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

1. Sits, stands, bends, lifts, walks and moves intermittently during working hours.
2. Able to lift up to 35 pounds without assistance.  

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Bachelor’s Degree in Health Sciences or other relevant field.
2. Graduate of an accredited Physician’s Assistant Program.
3. NCCPA certified.
4. Licensed in the State of California as a Physician’s Assistant.
5. Registered with the Drug Enforcement Administration.
6. Current BLS certification.
7. Current ACLS certification.
8. Must maintain licensure as a Physician’s Assistant.
9. 3+ years of experience in a hospitalist, skilled nursing facility or equivalent role is preferred.
10. Able to communicate in English both verbally and in writing.
11. Is dependable, reliable with good attendance and the ability to work with others, at all levels within the organization, and collaborate effectively.
12. Above-average interpersonal, problem-solving, and written and oral communication skills.