Physician Assistant

About the role

The Physician Assistant (PA) is responsible for delivery of quality medical care to patients of the Health Center and functions as a member of the multi‑disciplinary health care team within the scope of his or her PA practice.

Responsibilities

• Maintains professional courtesy at all times.
• Provides medical services, but only as delegated by a supervising physician.
• Maintains medical expertise and competency (including age‑specific competency) and demonstrates thorough knowledge of procedures to deliver quality primary medical care.
• Provides age‑appropriate pediatric patient care, incorporating physical wellness exams according to the Texas Health Steps Periodicity Schedule and appropriate care for pediatric illnesses and conditions.
• Provides medical visits, as scheduled, in direct patient care at clinic site, including extended‑hours clinics.
• Provides a minimum of 3,200 medical encounters for the contract year and at least 40 hours per week in the clinic.
• Examines, diagnoses, and treats out‑patient patients; prescribes pharmaceuticals, other medications, and treatment regimens as appropriate.
• Refers patients for specialty care, lab, x‑ray, and other ancillary services as appropriate.
• Reviews all lab and x‑ray reports for patients under care in a timely manner and makes medical management decisions per Health Center policy.
• Follows appropriate standards of care for each patient.
• Provides continuity of care to assigned Health Center patients.
• Maintains a health record for each patient and completes visit documentation promptly per Health Record Completion Policy.
• Leads the health‑care team in identifying, evaluating, and prioritizing patient and family needs to develop a plan of care.
• Educates patients and caregivers regarding preventative care, diagnosis, and treatment plans and provides relevant resources.
• Participates in health promotion, education, and/or prevention programs as needed.
• Attends and participates in clinic, departmental, and other clinic functions as required.
• Provides Basic Life Support services for emergency situations in the Health Center.
• Provides clinical oversight under the supervision of the Medical Director.
• Assumes accountability for delegating, directing, and supervising patient‑care activities.
• Trains, mentors, and supervises students and support staff engaged in activities and procedures, as appropriate.
• Participates in quality‑improvement projects and activities for continuous quality improvement and risk management.
• Participates in the review and development of patient‑care policies, protocols, health‑maintenance schedules, and standing orders.
• Implements plans, procedures, and protocols for the medical team.
• Serves as a resource and positive, proactive leader for the department.
• Maintains competency with current health‑care trends, standards of care, and clinical research that impacts medical practice.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Knowledge of advanced principles of health promotion and prevention.
• Knowledge of protocols in general and ability to quickly gain specific knowledge of the Health Center’s current operational protocols.
• Knowledge of medical terminology and appropriate abbreviations.
• Knowledge of the Texas Medical Practice Act and Texas Medical Board regulations pertinent to Physician Assistants.
• Ability to document, with clarity, all information relevant to a patient’s needs.
• Ability to effectively present information in small‑group settings to patients, Health Center staff, and the general public.
• Ability to use office equipment including, but not limited to, computers, fax machines, telephones and copiers.

Education and Licensure

• Degree from an accredited Physician Assistant Program.
• Current unrestricted license from the Texas Physician Assistant Board to practice as a Physician Assistant in Texas.
• Annual continuing medical education as required by the Texas Physician Assistant Board.
• Registration and current DEA, DPS, and other certificates to legally operate as a practitioner in Texas.
• One (1) year of practice experience providing direct patient care.
• Current Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) for Healthcare Professionals certification.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift and/or move more than 50 pounds.
• Full range of body motion including handling and lifting patients, manual and finger dexterity, and eye/hand coordination.
• Sitting, standing, and walking for extensive periods of time.
• Working under stressful conditions or irregular hours.
• Frequent exposure to communicable diseases, body fluids, toxic substances, medicinal preparations and other conditions common to a clinic environment.
• Frequent reaching with hands and arms.
• Specific vision abilities required: close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
• Ability to work with a moderate noise level in the work environment.
• If a preliminary offer of employment is extended, a physical will be required before the offer can be accepted.