Physician Assistant, Staff or Senior - Altoona Pulmonology

About the role

UPMC Altoona is seeking a Full-Time Physician Assistant to join the dynamic and growing Pulmonology department at UPMC Altoona Station Medical Center. This role encompasses a blend of patient care: 75% outpatient clinic visits assessing and managing patient care, and 25% inpatient work with the MD providing continuity of care for hospitalized patients. The department offers a collaborative environment with one experienced Pulmonologist, two experienced Physician Assistants, two medical assistants, one LPN, and a practice manager, fostering strong mentorship and streamlined communication. New graduates are welcome and will receive training and support to launch their careers.

Schedule

Monday–Friday daylight schedule with weekend rounding responsibilities on a rotation of every 3 weeks (approximately ½ day per weekend).

Responsibilities

• Contribute to UPMC’s mission of Life Changing Medicine
• Set the standards for the level and quality of care for the care delivery team
• Provide patient care activities for a group of patients and their families through the application of independent judgment, communication, and collaboration with all team members
• Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with physicians, other health care providers, patients, and their families to achieve desired patient outcomes throughout the continuum of care
• Demonstrate a commitment to the community and to the health care profession
• Apply basic professional practice knowledge and skills appropriate for the practice setting
• Communicate effectively, both verbally and in documentation
• Demonstrate critical thinking in all areas of professional practice
• Incorporate acceptable standards of professional practice as well as business unit and health system goals to improve patient safety, quality, and satisfaction
• Formulate a plan of care that considers individual patient needs
• Demonstrate initiative and seek formal and informal opportunities to improve clinical practice
• Seek guidance and ask questions to continuously improve professional practice
• Build relationships with patients, families, and colleagues
• Identify ethical situations within patient care or the workplace and seek assistance
• Professionally accept assignments that gradually increase patient load and complexity
• Actively engage in clinical development of all members of the healthcare team
• Request opportunities to learn advanced professional practice techniques from senior healthcare team members
• Seek, accept, and utilize performance feedback from peers, preceptors, and unit/department leaders as a learning opportunity and to improve practice
• Demonstrate enthusiasm for continuous learning and identify and create a plan for the continuation of learning and development
• Identify patient and family needs for education and provide basic education to support the episode of care
• Seek professional development and involvement through membership in a professional organization and/or reading professional literature on a regular basis
• Demonstrate basic knowledge of research, how it affects practice, and who/what resources are available to assist with evidence-based practice
• Demonstrate clinical practice knowledge of how quality and innovation impact patient satisfaction, safety, and clinical quality outcomes
• Identify opportunities for improvement in the clinical area
• Demonstrate the ability to communicate clearly and effectively with all members of the health care team
• Demonstrate awareness of cultural diversity, horizontal violence, and impairment in the health professions
• Care for patients and self by supporting safety in the workplace
• Demonstrate accountability for professional development that improves the quality of professional practice and the quality of patient care
• Make recommendations for the improvement of clinical care and the health of the workplace and welcome and participate in change initiatives
• Lead by investing and building healthy relationships among colleagues and other disciplines
• Show the ability to set priorities
• Serve as an engaged member of a team supporting colleagues in service to patients and families and participate in task forces or other initiatives
• Demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care and/or interact appropriately with the patients served
• Demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span
• Possess the ability to assess data reflective of the patient’s status and interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patient’s requirements relative to their age-specific needs
• Provide the care needs as described in the department policies and procedures

Requirements

• Graduate of a physician assistant program accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA)
• BS or MS preferred
• Current state PA license certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA)
• Current CPR certification
• Act 33 Clearance
• Act 73 Clearance
• Act 34 Clearance
• Successful attainment and maintenance of hospital privileges (if applicable to the Business Unit practice)

Qualifications

• Senior Level: Minimum 3 years of experience or completion of a post-graduate residency
• Senior Level: BS or MS preferred
• Senior Level: Completion of National Certification
• Senior Level: Must achieve a Solid/Strong/Good performance rating or higher on annual performance evaluation for consideration and to maintain status annually
• Senior Level: Completion of an OAPP approved professional contribution within one year of hire or promotion into the position
• Senior Level: Department chair approval for promotion
• Senior Level: ACLS or ITLS or NALS or PALS or other certifications meeting AHA standards that include both a didactic and skills demonstration component within 30 days of hire
• Senior Level (outpatient/non-inpatient setting): May use a business unit approved certification relevant and value-added to the practice setting in lieu of the above

Skills

• Ability to establish and maintain positive, caring relationships with executives, managers, physicians, non-physician providers, ancillary and support staff, other departments, and patients/families
• Ability to work productively and effectively within a complex environment
• Handle multiple/changing priorities and specialized equipment
• Critical thinking, analytical and problem-solving abilities as related to various aspects of patient care
• Good clinical judgment
• Critical thinking skills necessary to exercise and lead others in application of acceptable standards of practice
• Mobility and visual manual dexterity
• Physical stamina for frequent walking, standing, lifting, and positioning of patients

Benefits

• Health and welfare benefits: medical, vision, dental, life and disability insurance
• Exceptional retirement program
• Work-life balance support: PTO, wellness programs, paid parental leave
• Competitive pay: base pay, merit, and premium pay
• Sign-on bonus available if applicable
• Career path providing experience for current and future desired positions