Physician Assistant - Crisis Continuum Services

Oakland Community Health Network•Pontiac, MI

9d•Hybrid

About The Position

Under the general direction of the Chief Medical Officer and the Medical Director of Crisis Continuum Services, the Crisis Continuum Services Physician Assistant provides assessment and treatment to individuals experiencing a behavioral health crisis and is an integral member of a multi-disciplinary clinical team providing support to persons served by OCHN’s crisis system, including Crisis Assessment & Triage, Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU), Crisis Residential Unit (CRU), Sober Support Unit, Mobile Crisis, Crisis Line/Hotline, and Behavioral Health Urgent Care. The Crisis Continuum Services Physician Assistant will play a critical role in overseeing crisis-related determinations, facilitating the operation of an integrated, evidence-based crisis continuum that meets clinical standards and employs best practices while ensuring resources are responsibly allocated.

Requirements

Master’s Degree in Physician Assistant Studies from a nationally accredited university.
Active Physician Assistant license in State of Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) in good standing.
Active State of Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) Board of Pharmacy Controlled Substance license in good standing.
United States Department of Justice, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Controlled Substance Registration Certificate
Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
No history of criminal misdemeanor or felony.
Attest to no complaints or penalties from respective board of licensing.
At least two (2) years of clinical experience as a physician assistant working in a behavioral health setting.

Nice To Haves

Prior experience working in crisis/emergency settings is preferred.

Responsibilities

Performs all duties and responsibilities of a physician assistant; provides high-quality, cost-effective care consistent with licensing, accreditation, and payer standards.
Conducts psychiatric assessments, medication management, diagnostic study (e.g., labs, imaging, ECG) interpretation, suicide and violence risk assessments, and substance intoxication/overdose/withdrawal assessments (including the use of structured assessment tools and symptom screening questionnaires); within crisis workflows determines level of care (e.g., ED transfer, inpatient, CSU, CRU, partial hospital, outpatient).
Provides clinical disposition recommendations.
Ensures timely documentation in the EHR and adherence to HIPAA and 42 CFR Part 2.
Integral member of a psychiatrist-led multi-disciplinary team consisting of psychiatrists, Advanced Practice Providers (APPs), nurses, bachelor’s-level clinicians, counselors, social workers, and psychologists to deliver rapid, reliable, evidence-based care and disposition determinations.
Leads daily/shift huddles and interdisciplinary rounds (nursing, crisis clinicians, peers, behavioral health technicians (BHTs)/milieu staff, discharge planners) to resolve barriers, update risk, and finalize dispositions.
Interfaces with relevant internal teams, hospitals/EDs, law enforcement, EMS, and community providers to ensure warm handoffs and least-restrictive, recovery-oriented care transitions.
Promotes a culture of person-centered, trauma-informed, and recovery-oriented practice across teams.
Adheres to quality measures and key performance indicators (KPIs) (e.g., time to triage, time to disposition, 23-hour utilization, return-in-crisis rates, warm handoff completion).
Complies with all relevant OCHN policies/procedures, MDHHS/Medicaid requirements, accreditation standards, and the Michigan Mental Health Code; participates in Root Cause Analyses and special reviews as directed by the Chief Medical Officer or Medical Director of Crisis Continuum Services.
Serves on OCHN committees as directed by OCHN Chief Medical Officer.