PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT I - CANCER CENTER

Cook County•Chicago, IL

3d•Onsite

About The Position

In collaboration with a licensed physician, the Physician Assistant provides care to a diverse patient population and promotes wellness and health maintenance through diagnostic and therapeutic medical services. The role develops and implements patient management plans and supports continuity of care, while maintaining professional and technical knowledge through continuing education. Duties must be performed in accordance with Cook County Health policies and applicable legal and professional requirements. The Physician Assistant manages direct patient care for oncologic conditions, including patient assessments, histories and physical examinations, medical reconciliation, diagnostic testing, communicating results, and coordinating care. The position performs delegated diagnostic and therapeutic procedures within the scope of the supervising or collaborating physician, assists in the operating room as needed, and collaborates with the healthcare team to coordinate comprehensive care for breast oncology patients. The position works in a healthcare environment and requires adherence to hospital and department safety requirements, including personal protective equipment, hand hygiene, infection control, and applicable engineering and work-practice controls. Offers of employment are contingent on satisfactory references, background checks, appropriate credentials, and successful completion of a physical and pre-employment drug screen.

Requirements

Board certification by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA), or certification obtained before starting employment.
Valid Illinois Physician Assistant license, or license obtained before starting employment.
Current Illinois Controlled Substances License, or ability to obtain it within six months of starting employment.
Current federal DEA licensure, or ability to obtain it within six months of starting employment.
Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification through the American Heart Association; proof must be provided at interview.
Knowledge of hand hygiene, hand-washing techniques, and infection-control policies and procedures.
Thorough knowledge of Physician Assistant practices and principles and ability to apply them in a clinical setting.
Strong Physician Assistant clinical and technical skills.
Knowledge and skill to measure and dispense medication accurately.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills for communicating with staff 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 or resolution skills.
Attention to detail, accuracy, and precision.
Ability to communicate effectively while maintaining HIPAA protections for PHI.
Ability to multitask and meet deadlines in a fast-paced, stressful environment.
Ability to follow 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.
Meet all required qualifications at the time of application filing.
Meet CCHHS credentialing standards, including the Illinois PA license and other required licenses, certifications, or specialized training, no later than two weeks before the start date.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual ability.

Responsibilities

Provide and manage direct patient care.
Conduct patient health-needs assessments.
Perform Physician Assistant assessments, histories and physical examinations, medical reconciliation, care coordination, and patient management for oncologic conditions.
Order appropriate diagnostic tests and laboratory work, such as X-rays, MRI, and CBCs, and distinguish normal from abnormal findings.
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 subspecialty-dependent modalities within the scope of the supervising physician to improve patient outcomes.
Follow CCH quality and patient-safety standards and 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.
Perform delegated diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, including fine needle aspiration biopsy, core needle biopsy, punch biopsy, and incision and drainage, as well as other subspecialty-dependent modalities within the collaborating physician's scope.
Assist in the operating room as needed.
Collaborate with the healthcare team to ensure comprehensive care coordination for breast oncology patients.
Adhere to hospital and department safety requirements, including PPE, hand washing and sanitizing, engineering controls, and work-practice controls.