PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT Hospital Medicine

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About Duke University Hospital

Pursue your passion for caring with Duke University Hospital in Durham, North Carolina, which is consistently ranked among the best in the United States. The largest of the four Duke Health hospitals with 1062 patient beds, it features comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic facilities, including a regional emergency/trauma center, an endo-surgery center, and more.

Occ Summary

The Physician Assistant (PA) has as their primary responsibility the management of caseload of patients who are typically not in critical care inpatient settings or patients in an ambulatory primary care or specialty clinic setting. The PA works collaboratively with the supervising physician or designated back-up physicians. The PA provides direct patient care services including but not limited to physical exams, collects and documents data, orders and conducts approved diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, orders and scheduled laboratory studies, orders and/or conducts professional consultations and prescribes appropriate interventions and medications. The PA contributes to excellence in patient care, research, teaching, consulting, and provides leadership to the organization and healthcare professions.

Work Performed

Provide direct clinical services for neonatal, pediatric, or adult patients who require either a non-critical care inpatient setting or an ambulatory primary care or specialty clinic setting, according to established protocols and utilizes evidence-based clinical practice standards in collaboration with the supervising physician. Obtain patient health histories and complete physical examinations. Document findings noting pertinent normal and abnormal findings. Order and interpret appropriate diagnostic and laboratory tests. Explain the necessity, preparation, nature, and anticipated effects of procedure(s) to patients, patient's family, staff, and healthcare learners. Perform approved therapeutic or diagnostic procedures based upon patient's clinical status. Document patient preparation and response to procedure(s). Formulate and implement treatment plan for acute illness management in collaboration with the designated primary supervising physician and/or attending back-up physician(s). Document in medical records and appropriate narrative summaries. Utilize prescriptive privileges as allowed by the North Carolina Medical Board. Document all prescriptions in a patient's medical record. Assess patient for change in status and institute appropriate interventions. Initiate necessary emergency interventions to stabilize patients. Provide family-centered care by communicating with the family regarding the changing health care needs of their infant, child, or family member. Assesses family adaptation, coping skills and the need for crisis or other intervention. Utilize current research and evidence-based decision-making in all clinical practice. Incorporate clinical research findings in the development and implementation of standards of care. Support IRB approved clinical research/trials though a variety of activities including but not limited to: obtaining consent; ordering diagnostic tests; recording laboratory & diagnostic results; administering therapeutic interventions; and documenting and reporting patient outcomes including toxicities or adverse events. Perform and participate in quality/performance improvement activities and clinical research. Serve as a clinical expert and leadership consultant to nursing, members of the healthcare team and to the larger community. Participate in and support accreditation, compliance, and regulatory activities of the organization. Identify educational needs of the family and participate in teaching opportunities. Assess educational needs, plan, provide, and evaluate educational programs for nursing staff, interdisciplinary healthcare team, and community. Participate in precepting nurse practitioners, other healthcare team members, and healthcare learners. Participate in the development, review, and evaluation of PA practice protocols within legal guidelines in compliance with DUHS policies. Role model professionalism through conduct, appearance, communication, mutual respect, leadership, ethical decision-making, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. Demonstrate responsibility for professional practice through active participation in professional organizations and continuing education. Enhance the body of knowledge to the PA profession and/or area of specialization through exchange of ideas and knowledge in professional organizations, oral presentations, posters, research activities, and written publications.

Minimum Qualifications

Work requires completion of an accredited Physician Assistant program. A Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree strongly preferred. None required above education/training requirement. OR AN EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE Must be licensed in the state of NC, and be certified as a Physician Assistant by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants. BLS required.