Physician Assistant (PA-C); part-time

Proliance Surgeons•Gig Harbor, WA

About The Position

The certified Physician Assistant (PA-C) is part of a team providing patient care and supporting clinical services. The role involves clinic-based and postoperative care, with potential surgical assistance in an ambulatory surgery center (ASC) or hospital operating room and hospital rounding. This position is described as clinic-only, supporting a provider focused on spine, at Proliance Puget Sound Orthopaedics in Lakewood, Tacoma, and Gig Harbor. The schedule is 1–2 shifts per week, with each shift lasting 8–10 hours. The Physician Assistant evaluates patients, develops care plans, orders and interprets tests and treatments within their scope of practice, prescribes medications and other specified care, performs treatments such as wound care and suture or staple removal, and documents patient care. Additional duties may include hospital rounds, optional trauma call coverage, optional emergency-room care, answering-service coverage, patient education, and other clinical duties within the scope of practice. The PA-C is expected to maintain clinical proficiency, collaborate effectively with the supervising physician, advocate for patients and the profession, and comply with organizational policies.

Requirements

Graduate of an accredited Physician Assistant program.
Current Washington State Physician Assistant license.
Current certification as a physician assistant by the National Commission of Physician Assistants (NCCPA).
Current CPR and BLS certifications from the American Heart Association.
Advanced physical assessment and critical-thinking skills.
Ability to listen, interact, and communicate verbally and in writing.
Comprehensive knowledge of surgical procedures, techniques, standards of care, instrumentation, equipment, and supplies relevant to the specialty.
Strong customer-service and interpersonal skills, including patience, composure, cooperation, and the ability to work well with patients, physicians, and staff.
Advanced understanding of and adherence to safety, risk-management, and precautionary procedures, including HIPAA confidentiality.
Efficient time management with meticulous attention to detail, accuracy, and completion.
Ability to manage multiple factors to achieve the best result.
Resourcefulness in addressing first-level problems and persistence in seeing solutions through.
Ability to remain objective and separate oneself personally from situations.
Ability to adapt to change, delays, or unexpected events while maintaining a positive mindset.
Clear oral and written communication.
Ability to provide feedback to improve performance.
Self-motivation and ability to work with little supervision, follow guidelines and detailed instructions, measure performance against standards, and overcome obstacles and challenges.

Nice To Haves

Two years of prior experience in surgery preferred.

Responsibilities

Greet and identify patients; obtain and document accurate histories and physical examinations, which may include moving and positioning patients.
Conduct comprehensive or episodic health assessments and develop patient care plans.
Order and interpret tests, treatments, and therapies within the scope of practice.
Prescribe medications, diet, supplies, prosthetic devices, and other home health aids according to clinical privileges.
Administer or inject medications.
Provide wound care; apply or remove casts, splints, and wound dressings; and remove sutures and staples.
Instruct and counsel patients regarding treatment plans and therapeutic regimens.
Provide clear, concise, accurate patient-care information in the medical record.
Maintain technical familiarity and proficiency with specific surgical procedures before performing them.
Remain proficient in commonly used clinical protocols and guidelines.
Assist in surgical procedures.
Perform hospital rounds, including patient care, charting, documentation, and interaction with patients, caregivers, staff, consultants, and discharge planners.
Provide optional primary or secondary trauma call coverage.
Optionally evaluate and treat emergency-room patients.
Provide answering-service coverage and fulfill related responsibilities.
Initiate basic or advanced life support in response to emergencies.
Educate patients, families, and significant others using established educational materials.
Perform other clinical duties within the scope of practice as directed under a patient’s care plan.
Advocate for patients, families, coworkers, the community, and the health care profession.
Integrate evidence-based knowledge and clinical expertise into decision-making.
Pursue experiences and formal or independent learning to maintain and develop clinical and professional skills and knowledge.
Establish an effective relationship with the supervising physician.
Complete duties and assist others as directed.
Follow policies introduced during onboarding, updated in real time, and outlined in the Associate Handbook.