Physician Assistant - Orthopedics- Full Time

Barton Healthcare System•South Lake Tahoe, CA

About The Position

Summary of Position: The Physician Assistant (PA) – Orthopedic provides direct patient care and is an integral part of the Orthopedic care team.The PA works with the supervising physician as well as collaboratively with other providers to provide patient assessment and diagnosis, formulate treatment plans, prescribe medications, order tests, interpret test results, provide patient education, prepare medical records and refer patients in accordance with statutes, regulations and protocols regulating the profession. The PA utilizes appropriate authorization protocols when performing medical functions. This position will serve as a first assist for surgical cases and may be required to perform inpatient rounding and discharge patients. The PA demonstrates the knowledge and skill necessary to identify and meet the individualized needs of the population served. Qualifications: Education: ● Completion of an accredited Physician Assistant training program Experience: ● Minimum two years of recent PA orthopedic clinic experience preferred. Knowledge/Skills/Abilities: ● Computer literacy in common office applications ● Knowledge of electronic medical record (EMR) database or equivalent required; Epic experience preferred ● Excellent communication and customer service skills, flexible, and strong sense of teamwork. ● Ability to effectively communicate in English, in compliance with patient safety standards. Bilingual abilities preferred. Certifications/Licensure: ● Certification by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) ● Currently licensed as a Physician Assistant in Nevada and California, or ability to obtain prior to start date as required. ● Current CPR/BLS certification by the American Heart Association (BLS for the Healthcare Provider) ● Must have any additional licenses and certifications as required per Med Staff bylaws and applicable state laws (CA and/or NV). Physical Demands The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. ● While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to walk, stand, sit, and talk or hear. ● The employee is occasionally required to use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. ● The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. ● Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus. ● The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Working Conditions The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. ● Contact with patients and guests under a wide variety of circumstances. ● Regularly exposed to the risk of bloodborne diseases. ● Exposure to infections and contagious diseases. ● Exposed to hazardous anesthetic agents, body fluids and waste. ● Subject to hazards of flammable and explosive gases. ● Subject to varying and unpredictable situations, including the handling of emergency or crisis situations. ● Subject to pressure due to irregular hours, frequent interruptions and stressful situations due to multiple demands. ● Occasional travel to various health system locations.

Requirements

Completion of an accredited Physician Assistant training program
Computer literacy in common office applications
Knowledge of electronic medical record (EMR) database or equivalent required
Excellent communication and customer service skills, flexible, and strong sense of teamwork.
Ability to effectively communicate in English, in compliance with patient safety standards.
Certification by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA)
Currently licensed as a Physician Assistant in Nevada and California, or ability to obtain prior to start date as required.
Current CPR/BLS certification by the American Heart Association (BLS for the Healthcare Provider)
Must have any additional licenses and certifications as required per Med Staff bylaws and applicable state laws (CA and/or NV).

Nice To Haves

Minimum two years of recent PA orthopedic clinic experience preferred.
Epic experience preferred
Bilingual abilities preferred.

Responsibilities

Provides consistently exceptional care at all times.
Conducts thorough medical histories, performs complete physical examinations (where indicated), initiates appropriate lab, radiology tests or other special tests required for evaluation of illness, and interprets results to establish a record of the patient's current health status and to develop a working diagnosis and treatment plan when indicated. Works in collaboration with the health care team.
Performs routine and specialized procedures as credentialed and privileged by the Medical Executive Committee and Medical Staff.
Prescribes and monitors medications as required by California and Nevada laws, as allowed by DEA licensure and Barton Health policies.
Provides patient education regarding care and treatment plan.
Participates and collaborates with nursing, medical and other healthcare team members regularly to ensure quality patient care.
Refers patients as appropriate for consultation or for specialized health resources and treatment.
Ensures continuity of care by serving as a liaison between patient and other members of the multi-disciplinary care team or with other specialty areas as necessary.
Participates in quality monitoring through the review of records and treatment plans for patient outcomes to assure quality care.
Promotes translation of evidence-based practices, guidelines, and research.
May serve as clinical preceptor for students or other Physician Assistants.
Administers treatment plans in accordance with standardized procedures.
Works as a surgical first assist in the operating room and may take call.
Travels to clinics in California and Nevada.
Provides direct patient care, evaluates outcomes, consults with physicians as required and adjusts care processes as indicated to ensure optimal patient care.
Maintains timely and accurate charting of clinical encounters in Barton Health’s Electronic Health Record (EHR) platform. Ensures that all aspects of patient care and observations are documented. Notifies the Supervising Physician of any abnormal findings and communicates treatment plan accordingly. Documentation is complete, accurate and timely. Signs off medical record within 48 hours of seeing patient.
Accurately code clinical encounters with CPT and ICD-10 codes.
Demonstrates knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served. Demonstrates knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span of the patient and possesses the ability to identify each patient’s age- specific needs.
Participates in quality improvement activities; assists in maintaining compliance with The Joint Commission, State Agencies and other internal and external regulatory standards.
Supports and upholds established organizational policies, procedures, and objectives related to quality improvement, safety, environmental and infection control.
Notifies supervising physician regarding any unusual or unexpected events or problems requiring direct physician consultation.
Communicates with referring or primary care physicians regarding patient care and treatment.
Performs medical procedures including incisions and drainage, wound care, debridement, and suturing of lacerations.
Performs post-operative care per protocol.
Responds to the needs of the department by performing other duties, as necessary.