General Summary:
Under the supervision of and in collaboration with a staff physician, and under the management of the Medical Director for Community Health Services, the function of a Physician Assistant is to provide primary health care services to individuals of all ages as a member of the health team assigned to the health centers. The Physician Assistant will also receive administrative supervision from a Community Health Center Supervisor.
Essential Functions:
1. Obtains complete medical history and physical data on patients. Performs complete physical exams, assessments and records findings.
2. Makes independent provider judgments, collaborating with physician in managing acute and ling term medical needs of patients, as appropriate. Manages medical emergencies.
3. Maintains and reviews patient records, charts and other pertinent information. Maintains patient confidentiality.
4 Orders appropriate laboratory and diagnostic procedures. Reports test and examination results.
5. Synthesizes data to determine preliminary diagnosis and therapeutic plan consistent with current medical practice. Utilizes the principles of prevention and promotes health and wellness.
6. Per licensing guidelines, administers medications and injections according to physician direction and protocols. Instructs patient and family regarding medications and treatment instructions, health maintenance, illness prevention, normal behavior, social and physical growth and development.
7. Refers patients to other health care professionals, specialists, clinics and community resources to meet patient and family needs.
8. Provides telephone consultation, follow-up phone calls and triage patient phone calls.
9. Demonstrates ongoing professional growth through participation in relevant educational endeavors and appropriate associations.
10. Attends required meetings and participates in committees as requested.
11. Complies with all agency policies and procedures concerning departmental compliance including privacy of protected health information.
12. Participates in the after hours on-call system.
13. Participates as a preceptor and role model for medical and nursing students and practitioners in training.
14. Collaborates and consults with supervising physician and peers.
15. May perform procedures at the discretion of the Medical Director as assigned, e.g., Quality Improvement or Utilization review activities.
Other Functions:
- Performs other duties as assigned
- During a public health emergency, the employee may be required to perform duties similar to but not limited to those in his/her job description.
(The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by personnel so classified.)
Employment Qualifications:
Education: Masters Degree and graduate of an accredited Physician Assistant program with National Board Certification (PAC).
Experience: 3-5 years of Physician Assistant experience required.
Other Requirements: Licensed to practice as a PA in the state of Michigan and CPR certification must be kept current and applicable.
(The qualifications listed above are intended to represent the minimum skills and experience levels associated with performing the duties and responsibilities contained in this job description. The qualifications should not be viewed as expressing absolute employment or promotional standards, but as general guidelines that should be considered along with other job-related selection or promotional criteria.)
Physical Requirements:
- Ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs.
- Ability to enter and access information from a computer.
- Ability to stand, sit or walk for prolonged periods of time.
- Ability to bend, stoop, kneel and crouch to assess patients and/or retrieve records and files.
(This job requires the ability to perform the essential functions contained in this description. These include, but are not limited to, the requirements listed above. Reasonable accommodations will be made for otherwise qualified applicants unable to fulfill one or more of these requirements.)
Working Conditions:
- Works in office and clinic conditions.
- Often works under very disruptive and stressful conditions.
- Exposure to communicable disease, blood and other bodily fluids.
