Physician Assistant

Tri-State Life Care•Huntington, WV

About The Position

The Physician Assistant assesses, treats, solves problems, counsels, and educates hospice and palliative care patients using advanced assessment and evaluation techniques. The role provides consultative visits for certification and recertification, pain and symptom management, and palliative care in hospitals, homes, and nursing facilities. It collaborates with physicians and the interdisciplinary team on patient care plans, clinical changes, and treatment needs, and supports patients and families through education and emotional care. The position also supports staff training, quality improvement, research-guided care, policy and protocol development, and orientation of interdisciplinary team members, students, and residents. Care may be provided in patient homes, nursing facilities, hospitals, and the Emogene Dolin Jones Hospice House if assigned. The position follows applicable West Virginia and Ohio regulations for supervision, chart review, and scope of practice. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check and drug screening and possession of a valid driver's license.

Requirements

Completion of an accredited Physician Assistant program.
Master's degree.
Current license to practice as a physician assistant in Ohio and West Virginia.
Two years of experience practicing in the Physician Assistant role.
Ability to manage time effectively across direct patient care, interdisciplinary team meetings, and other meetings.
Interpersonal skills that promote interdisciplinary collaboration and effective communication.
Ability to establish therapeutic relationships with patients and families from varied cultural, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
Proficiency in clinical assessment and knowledge of treatment.
Ability to obtain and interpret information relating to patient needs.
Understanding of the range of treatment needed by adult and pediatric patients.
Knowledge of agency, hospice, and palliative care policies and procedures, hospice philosophy, the palliative model of care, pain and symptom management, and clinical interventions and strategies.
Ability to work independently and demonstrate critical-thinking and organizational skills.
Ability to travel to and access patient homes in potentially adverse weather, environmental, or lifestyle conditions.
Ability to meet the stated physical demands, including standing, walking, squatting, climbing stairs, bending, reaching, kneeling, twisting, sitting, lifting or transferring patients, and remaining in uncomfortable positions for prolonged periods.
Visual acuity sufficient to continuously note changes in patient condition and read clinical instruments.
Hearing acuity sufficient to auscultate blood pressure, hear instructions and client communication, respond to emergency alarms, and answer the telephone.
Ability to concentrate amid frequent interruptions, attend to functions for 10–25 minutes, remember multiple tasks and assignments over an 8–12-hour period, and understand and relate specific ideas and concepts.
Ability to handle stress, multiple tasks, noise, interruptions, emotional loss, and interactions with patients and families while working cooperatively and maintaining a pleasant, professional demeanor.
Successful completion of a background check and drug screening.
Valid driver's license.

Responsibilities

Perform consultative visits for certification and recertification assessments.
Perform consultative visits for pain and symptom management.
Offer clinical changes to the plan of care in collaboration with the attending physician and/or medical director.
Offer clinical nursing changes to the plan of care and communicate them to the hospice care team.
Prepare and provide staff, medical, and community training on relevant clinical topics and end-of-life philosophy and care.
Confer with medical directors to review diagnoses, assessment criteria, and pain and symptom management issues for the population served.
Participate in research activities and use research as guidance in care for terminally ill patients.
Participate in the agency quality improvement process.
Maintain confidentiality of patient and family information and respect their autonomy and right to confidentiality.
Provide information about the Hospice of Huntington program to patients and families.
Initiate immediate orders in consultation with the attending medical director.
Assess health status and potential; plan, implement, and evaluate patient and family health care needs.
Plan and evaluate therapeutic regimens to minimize pain and suffering, consulting physicians, other health care team members, and community agencies.
Perform history and physical examinations and record data.
Identify normal and abnormal findings and consult with a physician as needed to determine the treatment plan.
Practice standard precautions in all patient contacts.
Teach and demonstrate care to be provided by patients, families, or other staff members.
Provide emotional support in a manner that fosters independence and affirms existing strengths.
Follow West Virginia and Ohio regulations for supervision, chart review, and parameters of practice.
Participate in palliative care services through the Tri-State LifeCare Palliative programs.
Support skilled nursing care, case management, and other clinical support services for patients and families in the home setting and at Emogene Dolin Jones Hospice House if assigned.
Identify ongoing needs for intervention by other interdisciplinary team members and collaborate in planning that care.
Document care provided and patient and family responses in a timely manner according to agency policy.
Teach hospice and palliative philosophy and pain and symptom management techniques to staff in alternate care settings, including nursing homes, hospitals, and assisted-living facilities.
Participate in orientation for new interdisciplinary team members, students, and residents.
Deliver cost-effective care with an understanding of hospice and palliative care reimbursement methodologies.
Participate in developing policies, procedures, clinical protocols, forms, and service programs as requested.
Seek opportunities for professional growth, including receiving constructive performance feedback.
Carry out the mission and values of Hospice of Huntington, Inc., and perform job duties independently and responsibly on a consistent basis.
Perform other related duties as assigned.