Physician Assistant (PA)

Job Supervisory Responsibilities: May direct the clinical support staff with direct patient care.

General Summary: Responsible for practicing orthopaedic medicine with or without physician medical supervision.

Minimum of two years orthopaedic experience required.

Essential Job Responsibilities:

1. Performing comprehensive and problem focused history and physical exams.
2. Interpret and correlate laboratory and diagnostic procedures, subjective and objective data to formulate a differential diagnose and establish a working diagnosis.
3. Formulate a treatment plan for Orthopaedic problems within scope of practice.
4. Implement therapeutic intervention for specific conditions when appropriate.
5. Exercise judgment on problems requiring consultation, referral, or evaluation by the supervising Orthopaedic surgeon or other health care professionals.
6. Order, collect, and perform appropriate laboratory or diagnostic procedures, and studies including but not limited to blood and tissue specimens. Ordering or performing diagnostic studies such as but not limited to EMG, electrocardiogram, compartment pressure measurements, and x-ray examinations including special x-ray examinations CT, MRI, and bone scans etc.
7. Performing procedures such as but not limited to, digital blocks, regional anesthesia, and minor outpatient surgical procedures such as but not limited to: tendon repair, wound closure, wound management, wound debridement, incision and drainage, needle biopsy, percutaneous pinning of fracture, k-wire removal and hardware removal.
8. Perform diagnostic and therapeutic procedures including but not limited to joint and bursa aspirations, closed reduction of fractures and dislocations, injections of joints, tendons, trigger points and bursa, as well as brace, cast, and splint applications.
9. May assist in surgery to include but not limited to first assist, deep and superficial tissue closures, application of appliances and any other action delegated by the surgeon.
10. May conduct hospital rounds, write orders, and take call for the Orthopaedic surgeon. Evaluate and clarify clinical conditions, formulate and implement a treatment or therapeutic plan for hospitalized patients, dictate discharge summaries, histories and physicals.
11. Order, prescribe, dispense, and administer medication, orthosis, orthotics, braces, and other Orthopaedic devices.
12. Evaluate, screen, and counsel patients on health maintenance and promote utilization of community resources. Design, conduct and/or participate in the research studies, manage databases, and perform quality assurance.
13. Participates in peer reviews, chart reviews, staff education, clinical guideline development, and other continuing education and quality assurance activities to demonstrate compliance with standards, regulations, policies, and procedures. Complies with confidentiality requirements. Promotes patient advocacy.
14. Collaborates with physicians in managing acute and long-term medical needs of the patient. Provides monitoring and continuity of care between visits according to treatment plan.
15. Availability to take on-call responsibilities as needed and will act as a consultant/collaborator to clinical team on orthopedic area of specialty.
16. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with patients, providers, co-workers, and the public.
17. Uses customer service principles and techniques to deal with patients calmly and pleasantly.
18. Follows OSHA, HIPAA and safety guidelines and regulations.
19. Ensure licensures are current and up to date.
20. 20. Perform other duties necessary or in the best interest of the department/organization.

Requirements

Education/Experience:

1. Minimum of two years prior orthopaedic experience.
2. Bachelor's degree and successful completion of accredited physician assistant program.
3. National certification from the National Commission on Certification of PAs.
4. Current Kentucky state license.
5. Current CPR certification.

Other Requirements: Travel to satellite location and hospitals as necessary. Schedules will change as department needs change, including evenings and weekends.

Performance Requirements:

Knowledge:

1. Knowledge of health care field and medical office protocols/procedures.
2. Knowledge of specific assisting tasks related to particular medical practice.
3. Knowledge of information that must be conveyed to patients and families.
4. Knowledge of electronic health record systems.

Skills

1. Skill in caring for patients.
2. Skill in tact and diplomacy in interpersonal interactions.
3. Skill in understanding patient education needs by effectively sharing information with patients and families.

Abilities

1. Ability to learn and retain information regarding patient care procedures.
2. Ability to project a pleasant and professional image.
3. Ability to plan, prioritize, and complete delegated tasks.
4. Ability to demonstrate compassion and caring in dealing with others.

Equipment Operated: Standard medical/office equipment

Work Environment: Combination of medical office and exam/procedure room settings.

Mental/Physical Requirements: 80% of the time standing. Must be able to use appropriate body mechanics techniques when making necessary patient transfers and helping patients with walking, dressing, etc. Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds.