Physician Assistant (PA)

About the role

The general duty of the Physician Assistant is to provide professional clinical services under the direction of the Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) Primary Care Provider (PCP). The Physician Assistant is an Advanced Practice Generalist who provides a wide range of health services, including urgent and emergent evaluation of episodic and chronic problems; and comprehensive, integrated primary health care which addresses a majority of the client's health care needs on an ongoing basis.

Responsibilities

• Provides primary and preventive medical care to meet the needs (physical, mental, and emotional) of patients under a limited scope of Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes and within his/her skills and training.
• Functions within the scope of practice of the state Physician Assistant Practice Act, the Joint Commission standards, VA Medical Center guidelines, and Officer of the Inspector General.
• Works closely with the Patient Aliened Care Team (PACT) and extended support staff including daily huddles with the team.
• Emphasizes wellness, prevention, and early detection.
• Supervises support staff in delivery of care to patients.
• Maintains universal precautions and infection control practices.
• Provides smooth and timely flow of patients in accordance with the Veteran Administration's (VA) access standards and triage protocol.
• Performs cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and assists during respiratory and cardiac arrest procedures.
• Investigates health problems or health needs by gathering and assessing historical information.
• Performs a physical examination appropriate to the patient's history.
• Diagnostics health problems based on interpretation of the patient's history, physical exam findings, and diagnostic test results.
• Develops a treatment plan, tailored to the patient's needs, which includes health education, pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatment.
• Prescribes medications, as appropriate.
• Evaluates the results of the treatment plan, modifying the plan as needed to achieve the treatment goals.
• Makes referrals for specialty evaluation or treatment.
• Directs and coordinates the provision of health care services for patients in primary care, i.e., walk in patients.
• Provides a model for clinical practice within the clinic setting.
• Sets up and operates therapeutic and emergency equipment, including monitor, electrocardiogram (EKG), oxygen, automatic electronic defibrillator (AED) and portable suction.
• Obtains patient history on new and follow-up and record appropriate findings according to VA standards.
• Performs initial and periodic physical examinations within limits of privileges and records findings.
• Orders diagnostic tests according to the chief complaint, physical and emotional/mental findings and symptoms.
• Demonstrates a knowledge of pharmacology.
• Prescribes and administers medication within limits of privileges and state and federal regulations.
• Recommends and follows up on laboratory tests and specialized diagnostic procedures, as deemed necessary.
• Documents all pertinent patient information in the medical records and Veterans Health Information Systems and Technology Architecture (VISTA) to demonstrate quality care delivery and promote continuity of care.
• Closes patient charts within 24-72 hours of encounter and places Return to Clinic (RTC) orders promptly.
• Aids in managing the CBOC's day-to-day activity.
• Performs other clinical duties assigned within limits of privileges.

  Requirements

  • A minimum of 2 years clinical experience as a PA in outpatient care in a Family Medicine or Internal Medicine Environment; 3-5 years is preferred.
  • PA must have a current and unrestricted DEA License (PA will be required to obtain and maintain a Scope of Practice/Collaborative Agreement with a state licensed physician prior to delivery of health care).
  • Current and unrestricted Kentucky license.
  • Must comply will all state requirements and regulations.
  • Possess Basic Life Support (BLS)/Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification from American Heart Association (AHA) or the Military Training Network (MTN).
  • Prescriptive authority in accordance with state rules and regulations.
  • Ability to set realistic, measurable education goals for patients, taking into consideration patient/family needs, level of understanding, and available local resources.
  • Ability to develop and provide individualized and group counseling, guidance, and health instruction with a focus on disease prevention and health maintenance.
  • Experience with safe and reasonable practices regarding opioid medications for chronic pain.
  • Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Software and excellent computer maneuverability.
  • Must have exceptional diplomatic communication skills and experience in handling difficult customer situations.
  • Must be detailed oriented and have the ability to multi-task.

  Qualifications

  • Must meet one of the three following educational criteria:
  • a) a Bachelor’s degree from a PA training program certified by the Committee on Allied Health Education and Accreditation (CAHEA);
  • b) graduation from a PA training program of at least 12 months duration, which is certified by the CAHEA and a Bachelor’s degree in a health care occupation or health-related science;
  • c) graduation from a PA training program of at least 12 months duration which is certified by the CAHEA and a period of progressively responsible health care experience such as independent duty medical corpsman, license practical nurse, registered nurse, medical technologist or medical technician.
  • The duration of approved academic training and health care experience must total at least five years.
  • Must maintain a full and current certification as a Physician Assistant from the NCCPA.

  Skills

  • Excellent communication skills.
  • Ability to handle difficult customer situations.
  • Exceptional diplomatic communication skills.
  • Detail-oriented.
  • Multi-tasking ability.
  • Knowledge of Microsoft Office Software.
  • Knowledge of pharmacology.
  • Prescriptive authority.
  • Ability to set realistic, measurable education goals for patients.
  • Ability to develop and provide individualized and group counseling, guidance, and health instruction with a focus on disease prevention and health maintenance.
  • Experience with safe and reasonable practices regarding opioid medications for chronic pain.

  Benefits

  STGi offers a competitive benefits package which includes Medical, Dental, Vision, 401k with company match and a generous PTO policy.

  Pay

  Salary is commensurate with experience.

  Schedule

  Full-time/Regular

  Company

  STGi is a workforce solutions company providing comprehensive healthcare delivery, Head Start and management consulting services and human capital solutions help our clients. Our services and solutions help our clients sustain and enhance their operations to better accomplish their mission.