Physician Assistant or Nurse Practitioner

Porch Light Health•Grand Junction, CO

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Porch Light Health is a local leader in outpatient treatment of Opioid Use Disorders and other addictive disorders, fostering a family environment where patients are treated with compassion and honesty. They believe that addiction is a chronic relapsing brain disease and their staff is passionate about helping people. They offer Medication Assisted Treatment and behavioral health services, striving to help patients discover their purpose and community in a healthy environment. Porch Light Health is seeking a certified Physician Assistant and/or Nurse Practitioner to work in the specialty of Addiction Medicine. New graduates are encouraged to apply as training in the Addiction Medicine specialty will be provided. This job is clinic-based, located in Cortez, Colorado. The medical Provider will see patients in clinic as well as via telehealth, helping persons suffering from addiction or substance use disorder such as alcohol, opioids, stimulants, and benzodiazepines, etc. No prior addiction medicine experience is necessary. Candidates must have an interest in helping underserved populations and be willing to learn new concepts. The ability to administer intramuscular medication by injection is required.

Requirements

Master's or Doctoral degree in nursing (APRN), physician assistant (PA), or other related field.
Active, unrestricted state license as a Nurse Practitioner (NP) or Physician Assistant (PA).
Minimum of 1 year of clinical experience, with at least 0.5 years in addiction medicine, specifically in MAT clinics.
In-depth knowledge of MAT protocols, medications, and treatment for opioid, stimulant, benzodiazepine, and alcohol use disorders.
Strong clinical assessment and diagnostic skills.
Ability to work in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.
Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to build rapport with patients and collaborate effectively with healthcare teams.
Understanding of regulatory compliance and documentation requirements in MAT settings
Must have an interest in helping underserved populations and be willing to learn new concepts.
The ability to administer intramuscular medication by injection is required.

Nice To Haves

Emergency Room, Primary care, or psych experience is helpful.
Experience with behavioral health and counseling approaches is a plus.

Responsibilities

Patient Care: Provide clinical assessment, diagnosis, and ongoing management of patients seeking MAT for opioid or alcohol use disorder.
Medication Management: Prescribe and monitor MAT medications (e.g., oral and injectable buprenorphine and naltrexone), ensuring appropriate dosing, adherence, and monitoring for potential side effects.
Comprehensive Assessments: Conduct thorough medical histories, physical examinations, and diagnostic evaluations to assess patient needs and treatment progress.
Collaborative Care: Work closely with a multidisciplinary team including physicians, counselors, peer workers, and other healthcare providers to develop and implement individualized treatment plans.
Patient Education: Educate patients on the nature of substance use disorder and the MAT process, and provide counseling on lifestyle changes, coping mechanisms, and return-to-use prevention.
Follow-Up Care: Monitor and evaluate patient progress, adjusting treatment plans as needed, and coordinating care for any comorbid conditions.
Documentation: Maintain accurate and timely electronic health records (EHR) for all patient encounters, treatment plans, and medication management.
Compliance & Regulations: Ensure compliance with all federal and state regulations, including MAT guidelines, HIPAA, and appropriate documentation of controlled substances.
Crisis Intervention: Provide crisis intervention and de-escalation techniques when necessary, ensuring patient and staff safety at all times.
Quality Improvement: Participate in continuous quality improvement efforts to enhance patient care outcomes and clinic operations.