Physician Assistant-Primary Care (GAP)

Job Title

Physician Assistant for Primary Care

Duties

The Physician Assistant for primary care areas of responsibility will involve performance of, and documentation of health care delivery for Veterans according to Veteran's Health Administration (VHA) and Durham Primary Care standards. This physician assistant will be fully qualified and certified to function in both a clinical and administrative role and in accordance with the guidelines and policies of the Durham Veterans Affairs Health Care System. This individual is delegated the authority and responsibility in his/her area of expertise to assume major clinical, consultative, educational, duties and assignments related to Veteran care. May also have same duties but in support of patients assigned to or pending assignment to other providers at work site.

Functions of Scope Assigned

Clinical:

• Primary focus of practice is the independent clinical evaluation of Veterans through their panel of patients including prevention and patient self-management.
• Comprehensive primary care will be provided to male and female Veterans.
• Comprehensive primary care includes but is not limited to evaluating patients in an outpatient clinical setting to diagnose and treat acute and or chronic diseases, educating on health promotion and disease prevention and ensuring that health maintenance is up to date. Completes physical examinations, which may be comprehensive, or focused to formulate treatment plans. Treatment plans are evidence based and engages in shared medical decision making of treatment plans.
• Care may be provided in many modalities, from direct face to face care, virtual care (including telephonic, video, secured messaging and others)
• Develops and implements an individualized plan to achieve optimal population health and disease management
• Orders and interprets labs, tests, and diagnostic studies
• Prescribes pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions
• Initiates referrals and consults to specialty services
• Provides education to patients and their families
• Assesses and adjusts the plan of care as needed to achieve optimal patient outcomes
• Functions as a member of a Patient Aligned Care Team, collaborating with clinical and administrative support to provide timely, quality, coordinated care for Veterans
• Utilizes and promotes approved standards of care, procedures, methods and techniques, safety precautions and protocols in their application to this population in all settings
• Collaborates with other health care resources to ensure continuity of care
• Participates in continuous medical education as per requirements with topics included but not limited to opioid prescribing and trainings to fulfill and maintain designated women's health primary care provider
• Primary function as a "gap" provider meaning: May provide coverage for other providers in clinic or other primary care clinics if needed or assigned. This may be for same day, short term, or long term absences. May see same day walk in patients or patients when there provider is not available. Provide coverage to patient messages and results.
• Exemplifies the ICARE core values of-Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy, Respect, and Excellence.
• Participates in education/precepting efforts as appropriate.