Physician Assistant/Surgical Assistant

Summary

This position provides direct support to the physician, thereby enhancing patient care through increased accessibility and facilitating patient flow. The PA participates in the departmental continuous quality improvement process. Promotes and provides customer satisfaction and appropriateness of care for all assigned patients and provides surgical assistance as requested by CEO or Board of Directors.

Responsibilities

1. Philosophy

· Supports the organizations ideology, mission, goals, and objectives.

· Performs in accordance with the facility’s policies and procedures.

· Follows the organizations standards for ethical business conduct.

· Recognizes patients’ rights and responsibilities and supports them in performance of job duties.

· Participates in meetings, in-services, and activities when required.

· Seeks out additional assignments and duties.

2. Work Quality

· Performs duties in an accurate and organized manner.

· Adheres to policies and procedures in performance of duties.

· Ensures knowledge of job and asks questions when unsure.

· Completes duties within appropriate timeframes.

3. Personal Attributes

· Shows initiative and dependability including punctuality and attendance.

· Displays good judgment

· Cooperates and is flexible.

· Follows appropriate dress code presenting a professional image.

4. Customer Service

· Fosters a culture of outstanding patient service showing courtesy in interactions with patients, physicians and co-workers.

· Presents good telephone skills.

· Responds promptly to patient needs and co-worker requests.

5. Communication and Teamwork

· Expected to be a positive and responsible team member with a good attitude.

· Presents good oral and written communication (documentation) skills.

6. Safety/Risk Management

· Adheres to safety policies and procedures in performing job duties and responsibilities.

· Maintains responsibility for safe work area by reporting observed or suspected safety violations, hazards, and policy/procedure noncompliance.

· Responds to emergency situations with competence and composure.

· Reports observed or suspected medical emergencies, notifies appropriate personnel, and responds appropriately.

7. Professional Competence

· Participates in continuing education and other learning experiences.

· Shares knowledge gained in continuing education with staff

· Seeks new learning experiences by accepting challenging opportunities and responsibilities.

· Welcomes suggestions and recommendations.

· Maintains current CPR certification and all required licensure certifications.

8.Physician Assistant Duties

· Obtain medical history to include but not exclusive of current complaint, past medical history, family medical history, social history, medications, allergies, compliance with previous treatments and care plan, and determine which diagnostic and therapeutic procedures have been done.

· Provides acute and chronic patient care including orthopedic exam, wellness physical exams, pre-operative interview and exam (H&P), monitoring therapies, administering injections, minor office surgical procedures, and prescribing medications.

· Assist the physician in surgery as directed.

· Triage patient calls and take appropriate action, or refer to appropriate physician or office staff.

· Timely document patient information and care provided in patient records. Use computer to access/enter needed data. Maintain patient confidentiality.

· Educates patients and families as appropriate. Provide continuity of care.

· Perform hospital rounds and see consults

· Review labs, diagnostics and physical therapy progress notes as needed.

· Other duties as assigned by supervising physician.

· Adheres to infection control/safety guidelines (OSHA)

· Compliance with patient confidentiality (HIPAA)

Duties and responsibilities may be added, deleted, or changed at any time at the discretion of the Administrator or the Board, formally or informally, either verbally or in writing.

Performance Standards

1. Knowledge of medical practice and care to assist in providing patient care.

2. Knowledge of examination, diagnostic and treatment room procedures.

3. Skill in obtaining and maintaining accurate records in all aspects of medical office.

4. Ability to communicate clearly.

5. Ability to initiate and complete tasks related to job duties without direct request of supervisor.

6. Ability to multi-task with phones, patients and other responsibilities

7. Maintains strictest confidentiality of patient information and office business practices.

8. Cooperative work attitude toward co-employees, management, patient, visitors and physicians.

9. Ability to make decisions and solve problems.

10. Work effectively as a team member with physicians and other staff.

11. Appropriately interact with patients, families, and others.

12. Ability to flexibly respond to changing demands.

13. Must have a flexible work schedule with the ability to work early/late as needed.

Position Access Authorizations

· May amend or view Protected Health Information (PHI) as defined by HIPAA

· Level of HIPAA Security “Permission” = Medium, where

o Low = patient demographic data, scheduling and chart management

o Medium = “Low” plus all billing data

o Management = “Medium” plus advanced reports creation

o Director = Unlimited access

Risk of Exposure to BBPs

· Exposure to BBPs when removing bandages, sutures, casts and assisting physician during surgical procedures.

· May be exposed when cleaning or preparing rooms for patients and biohazard management

Position Relationships

Does not supervise any other employees. Receives supervision from physician on clinical matters and office manager on administrative and all other matters.

Authority Boundaries

Reports to physicians on clinical matters and office manager on administrative and all other matters.

Work Qualities

1. Accuracy

2. Attention to detail

3. Timeliness

4. Organization

5. Little supervision needed to accomplish a task

6. Ability to multi task

7. Appropriate assessment and assistance techniques

8. Appropriate use of universal precautions, safe workplace and confidentiality methods.

9. Health information management by charting patient data.

10. Understanding of patient education needs by effectively sharing information with patients and families.

Qualifications

1. Current state PA license, or eligible for same; certified by National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants.
2. Prior experience in the field of Orthopedics is preferred but not required.
3. Current CPR certification
4. Knowledge of organizational policies and procedures to administer patient care.
5. Knowledge of common safety hazards and precautions to establish a safe work environment.
6. Knowledge of HIPAA rules and regulations.
7. Skill in preparing and maintaining records, writing reports and responding to correspondence.
8. Ability to react calmly and effectively in emergency situations.
9. Ability to adapt and apply guidelines and procedures.
10. Ability to communicate clearly and concisely with patients, physicians, OR staff, and fellow employees.
11. Good communication skills.
12. Good computer skills.
13. Strong ethical and moral character references.

Physical Requirements

Position requires full range of body motion including handling and lifting patients, manual and finger dexterity and eye-hand coordination sufficient to operate office equipment, remove sutures, apply casts and assist in the operating room. The position requires standing, bending and walking for long periods of time. May need to lift and carry items weighing up to 50 pounds. Normal visual acuity and hearing are required. Employee will work under stressful conditions, and may work irregular hours. Employee will be exposed to bodily fluids on a regular basis. Employee must be able to communicate via the telephone. Must be able to drive.

The American with Disabilities Act requires that reasonable accommodations be made for qualified individuals to help perform the required duties and tasks of the position. Please let us know at the time you apply for a position if you will need any special accommodations.