PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT I - CERMAK

Cook County•Chicago, IL

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The Physician Assistant I works at Cermak Health Services, which provides healthcare to detainees at the Cook County Department of Corrections. Under the direction of the Chair of the Department of Correctional Health and the Medical Director at Cermak, the position primarily performs diagnostic and therapeutic procedures within the normal scope and characteristics of the collaborating physician and in compliance with the Illinois Physician Assistant Practice Act. Other job-related duties may be assigned. The role functions in a healthcare environment and requires adherence to hospital and department safety requirements, including personal protective equipment, handwashing and sanitizing practices, engineering and work-practice controls, and other applicable safety precautions. The position works rotating or varying shifts, including rotating weekends.

Requirements

Graduate of an Accreditation Review Commission (ARC) Physician Assistant program; proof must be provided at the time of interview.
Board certification by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA), or ability to obtain certification before starting employment.
Valid Physician Assistant license in Illinois, or ability to obtain the license before starting employment.
Valid Illinois Controlled Substances License (ILCS), or ability to obtain it within six months of starting employment.
Valid federal DEA licensure, or ability to obtain it within six months of starting employment.
Basic Life Support (BLS) certification; proof must be provided at the time of interview.
Knowledge of proper hand hygiene and handwashing techniques and infection-control policies and procedures.
Thorough knowledge of Physician Assistant practices and principles and the ability to apply them in a clinical setting.
Excellent Physician Assistant clinical and technical skills.
Ability to perform mathematical calculations accurately when measuring and dispensing medication.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills for communicating with staff at all levels and patients from diverse cultures and age groups.
Strong customer-service and empathy skills.
Good computer and typing skills.
Good phone and email etiquette and strong response times.
Analytical, organizational, problem-solving, critical-thinking, and conflict-management/resolution skills.
Attention to detail, accuracy, and precision.
Ability to communicate effectively while maintaining HIPAA protections for protected health information.
Ability to multitask and meet deadlines in a fast-paced and stressful environment.
Ability to adhere to department policies and standards using best practices.
Ability to maintain professional demeanor and composure when challenged.
Ability to function autonomously and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
Ability to see and hear clearly, including with correction.
Ability to tolerate exposure to unpleasant noise, odor, and temperature.
Must meet all required qualifications at the time of application filing.
Must meet Cook County Health and Hospitals System credentialing standards, including applicable licenses, certifications, or specialized training, no later than two weeks before the candidate’s start date.
Employment offers are contingent on satisfactory professional and employment references, healthcare and criminal background checks, appropriate licensure and certifications, and successful completion of a physical and pre-employment drug screen.

Nice To Haves

Valid Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certification.

Responsibilities

Provide and manage direct patient care.
Assess patients’ health needs.
Obtain comprehensive histories and perform detailed physical examinations to determine accurate diagnoses.
Order appropriate diagnostic tests and laboratory work, such as X-rays, MRI, and CBC tests.
Inform patients of and effectively communicate test results and diagnoses.
Identify and communicate patient-care issues to a supervisor and offer research-guided recommendations for improvement initiatives when applicable.
Develop and implement patient management plans to provide continuity of care.
Perform procedures, treatments, and other subspecialty-dependent modalities within the collaborating physician’s scope to improve patient outcomes.
Follow CCH quality and patient-safety standards.
Follow infection-control policies and protocols, including hand hygiene.
Prescribe and dispense medications using best practices.
Comply with federal, state, and local legal and professional requirements.
Maintain professional licensing requirements and technical knowledge through continuing education programs and workshops addressing emerging healthcare trends.
Adhere to hospital and department safety requirements, including personal protective equipment, handwashing and sanitizing, and applicable engineering and work-practice controls.