Physician Assistant I

General Summary
To provide patient care during hospitalization, Day Treatment Program, and in the out patient clinic setting, including doing initial history and physical examination, making a diagnosis and developing and carrying out a written plan of care in conjunction with other members of the interdisciplinary team. To serve as sub-investigator and/or clinical coordinator for clinical research. This includes initial screening of patients by obtaining histories and performing physical examinations, monitoring of study patients throughout their participation in studies and helping to make clinical recommendations for medical management after completion of study.
Essential Responsibilities

1. Provide care for patients from birth to geriatrics, with the majority of patient care provided to pediatric patients but can be provided to adults.
2. Performs patient initial physical exam; gathers data from initial history, review of outside medical records and from telephone contact from the referring physician; dictates summary and develops an assessment and plan of care.
3. Monitors progress of each patient and revises orders and care plans as needed, including making daily patient work rounds during hospitalization, or Day Treatment Program, and monitoring test results. Identifies problems that may need special attention or more acute care.
4. Supervises procedures and treatment such as Immunotherapy, bronchial provocation tests, aspirin and food challenges, and exercise treadmill tests. Provides acute care for illness-injury, attends radiology rounds, makes rounds with attending physician, reviews clinic patients with attending physician, attends appropriate Committee and Staff meetings and consults with ancillary services and specialties.
5. Writes daily progress notes on the in-patient and Day Program patients and clinic note with each out patient visit. Keep problem sheets up to date. Maintains communication with referring physicians, other health care providers, and meets regularly with parents. Contact parents by phone if they are not present throughout hospital stay and meet consistently with out of state and local parents.
6. Assists medical team in determining discharge date, develops a home care plan for patient and provides appropriate discharge education for patient and family, does physical exam and dictates discharge summary. Mobilizes appropriate persons to contact community resources for continuation of recommended treatment program.
7. Performs competencies (including age-specific competencies) as identified through the departmental competency program.
8. Serves as sub-investigator and helps to set up clinical studies which includes attending Investigator meetings; review of protocols; submitting necessary information to IRB throughout course of study; presenting study to IRB for initial approval; performing physical examinations; maintaining contact with sponsor of study.
9. Serves as clinical coordinator which includes recruiting and screening of patients, performing necessary testing such as spirometry, peak flow, review of patient data/diaries; meeting with study monitors.
10. Helps with management recommendation of illness after completion of study.
11. Performs all other duties as assigned.

General Responsibilities

1. Performs, as directed, safety compliance and uses Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), as needed.
2. Participates in Quality Assessment (QA) and Quality Improvement (QI) programs, as directed.
3. Ensures compliance with The Joint Commission and all other Federal, State and Regulatory Agencies.
4. Responds promptly and sincerely to customer's needs, requests and concerns via all communication forms using easily understood language and refraining from using inappropriate language and non-verbal gestures.
5. Maintains positive working relationships as a team player through problem solving issues, speaking positively about others, listening attentively and observing the Patient Bill of Rights and Confidentiality.
6. Increases customer service knowledge, skill and ability by participating in department and institution-wide specific programs.
7. Incorporates National Jewish's identity (Science Transforming Life®) into daily functions. Speaks positively about the institution, provides customers with prompt service, maintains a clean and safe working environment, dresses appropriately based upon National Jewish safety standards, and departmental policies and wears an ID badge visibly.

Knowledge and Skills
None
Education
BS required in Child Health Associate Program or other approved Physician Assistant Program. MS or equivalent work experience preferred.
Certification and Licensure
Physician Assistant Certificate required. Colorado State Board of Medical Examiners License required. Healthcare provider level CPR/BLS required every 2 years. Staff assigned to high-risk areas (Cardiology, MIDC, PCU, Infusion Room) must maintain ACLS or PALS as appropriate. Child Health Associate certification preferred.
Work Experience
None
- or - Any equivalent combination of Education and/or Experience
Working Conditions
Position is in a clinical environment. Frequent requirements may include: reading and comprehending medical literature, including basic interpretation of disease processes, medical charts, and instructions. Communication includes ability to chart vital signs and other basic information. Communication with interdisciplinary team as well as with differing ages and levels of maturity/understanding of patient and family, taking and recording telephone messages. Manual dexterity, manipulating equipment such as blood pressure kit, oximeter, spirometer. Frequently, has the need to assist a patient by moving or lifting. Considerable physical demands, requiring lifting up to 25 pounds Also involves pushing wheelchairs, opening doors and cabinets, reaching for objects. Occasionally will need to crawl in order to retrieve a fallen object for a patient. Occasional requirements may include: sitting while completing paperwork, kneeling, and squatting. Incumbent may be scheduled to work an alternate schedule to accommodate essential business needs routine travel by foot or automobile to alternate work/meeting locations, possibly during inclement weather.
Environmental Conditions
Inside environmental conditions may include: The potential of coming into contact with bloodborne pathogens. Has frequent exposure to infectious diseases. Occasionally, may encounter radiation from portable radiology procedures. May come into contact with various fumes/odors. Also may encounter contaminated biological waste from infectious patients. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) will be provided to each employee when needed as determined by policy. Utilization of PPE is mandatory. Estimated 1500 employees in the worksite.
Management/Supervisory Responsibilities:
None
Salary Range: $105,000 - $135,000