Physician Extender

Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management•Cranston, RI

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

To be responsible, under the clinical supervision of a licensed physician, for performing diagnostic and other advanced clinical and therapeutic tasks in order to allow the physician to extend health services in a hospital, clinic, infirmary, health maintenance organization or long-term care facility. This role involves performing initial histories and periodic physical examinations, ordering necessary laboratory or diagnostic tests, initiating consultations, monitoring scheduling, and managing primary care for disabled individuals. The position also requires intervening in medical emergencies, notifying physicians of patient changes, providing home care and community service interventions, and counseling disabled individuals and their families on health education and preventive care.

Requirements

Graduation from a fully accredited college or university with a Bachelor of Science degree in a health-related field.
Graduation from a fully accredited Physician Assistant Program as approved by the Council on Medical Education of the American Medical Association, OR successful completion of a formal continuing education program adhering to American Nursing Association approved guidelines for Nurse Practitioner Program (academic Post Baccalaureate Program in Nursing).
Successful completion of clinical affiliations as required through an approved Physician Assistant or Nurse Practitioner Program.
A minimum of two years post clinical affiliation in a clinical specialty in an accredited hospital, clinic, rehabilitation center, facility for people with an intellectual and developmental disability or other health care delivery setting.
At the time of appointment, must be eligible for full certification as a Physician Assistant by the Rhode Island Department of Health to practice in Rhode Island OR must meet all nursing registration requirements as required by Rhode Island State laws and have an active license to practice nursing in the State of Rhode Island.
Must maintain the aforementioned requirement(s) as a condition of employment.
Thorough knowledge of the general principles, practices, and techniques of clinical medicine, surgery, and patient care for individuals with physical, mental, or developmental disabilities.
Skill in applying a variety of therapeutic techniques to maximize individual function.
Ability to apply clinical knowledge in a logical and systematic approach.
Skill in history taking techniques including interviewing, counseling, assessing, and problem-solving.
Ability to immediately identify, assess, plan, and implement treatment of a medical and/or rehabilitative nature.
Ability to apply clinical knowledge related to a variety of laboratory and diagnostic tests.
Ability to accept direction from a responsible physician and to transmit and execute physician’s orders.
Ability to coordinate health working relationships with community health delivery agencies.

Responsibilities

Perform diagnostic and advanced clinical and therapeutic tasks under physician supervision.
Conduct initial histories and periodic physical examinations.
Order necessary laboratory or diagnostic tests.
Initiate consultations, monitor scheduling, and manage primary care for disabled individuals.
Intervene in medical emergency and crisis situations.
Notify the responsible physician of changes in an individual’s clinical condition and suggest therapies.
Provide home care and/or community service intervention.
Counsel disabled individuals and family members or guardians in health education, preventive care, and other clinical issues.