Physician Assistant, Staff or Senior - Altoona Pulmonology

UPMC•Altoona, PA

5d•Onsite

About The Position

UPMC Altoona Regional Health Services is hiring a full-time Physician Assistant for its Pulmonology department at UPMC Altoona Station Medical Center. The role combines outpatient and inpatient care: approximately 75% outpatient clinic visits assessing and managing patient care, and 25% inpatient work with a physician to provide continuity of care for hospitalized patients. The schedule is Monday through Friday during daylight hours, with weekend rounding approximately every three weeks for about half a day. New graduates are welcome, and the department offers a collaborative setting with an experienced pulmonologist, two experienced physician assistants, medical assistants, an LPN, and a practice manager. The Staff or Senior Advanced Practice Provider (APP) is a member of the care delivery team who sets standards for the level and quality of care and provides care under physician supervision and in collaboration with a physician. The APP manages patient care for a group of patients and their families, using independent judgment, communication, and collaboration with the healthcare team. The position also involves developing leadership, partnership, collaboration, and supervision skills; establishing relationships with physicians, other providers, patients, and families; and supporting desired patient outcomes throughout the continuum of care. The successful candidate will be placed according to years and months of experience. Senior-level placement requires at least three years of experience or completion of a post-graduate residency, along with additional certification, performance, professional contribution, and approval requirements.

Requirements

Graduate of a physician assistant program accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA).
Current state PA license and certification by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA).
Current CPR certification.
Act 33, Act 73, and Act 34 clearances.
Ability to establish and maintain positive, caring relationships with executives, managers, physicians, providers, staff, other departments, patients, and families.
Ability to work effectively in a complex environment, handle multiple or changing priorities, and use specialized equipment.
Critical-thinking, analytical, problem-solving, and clinical-judgment abilities.
Mobility and visual-manual dexterity; physical stamina for frequent walking, standing, lifting, and positioning of patients.
For Senior Level: at least three years of experience or completion of a post-graduate residency.
For Senior Level: completion of national certification.
For Senior Level: maintain a Solid/Strong/Good or higher annual performance rating for consideration and continued status.
For Senior Level: complete an OAPP-approved professional contribution within one year of hire or promotion, and obtain department chair approval for promotion.
For Senior Level: meet applicable certification requirements within 30 days of hire; certifications must meet AHA standards and include didactic and skills-demonstration components. For outpatient or other non-inpatient practice, an approved, relevant, value-added business-unit certification may be used.
Ability to demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care to the patients served, including understanding lifespan growth and development and assessing patient status and age-specific needs.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's or master's degree for Physician Assistant candidates.
Experience as a physician assistant and/or experience in a clinical setting.
For Senior Level CRNP candidates, BSN or MSN preferred; for Senior Level PA candidates, BS or MS preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide outpatient clinic care, including assessing and managing patients.
Provide inpatient care with a physician and support continuity of care for hospitalized patients.
Set standards for the level and quality of care and manage patient care activities for a group of patients and their families.
Use independent judgment, communication, and collaboration with care-team members to provide patient care.
Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with physicians, other healthcare providers, patients, and families to achieve desired outcomes across the continuum of care.
Formulate plans of care that consider individual patient needs and provide care appropriate to age-specific requirements.
Communicate effectively with healthcare-team members, patients, and families, verbally and in documentation.
Apply critical thinking and professional-practice knowledge; seek guidance and use feedback to improve clinical practice.
Participate in clinical development, continuing learning, and professional development, including through professional organizations or professional literature.
Identify patient and family education needs and provide basic education related to the episode of care.
Apply knowledge of research and evidence-based practice, and identify opportunities to improve clinical care, patient safety, satisfaction, and quality outcomes.
Support workplace safety, recognize ethical situations, and demonstrate awareness of cultural diversity and other workplace concerns.
Contribute to the improvement of clinical care and workplace health, participate in change initiatives, build healthy professional relationships, and support colleagues.
Demonstrate knowledge of growth and development across the lifespan and assess patient data to identify age-specific care requirements.
Obtain and maintain hospital privileges when applicable.