Physician Assistant (PA-C)

Job Summary: The Physician Assistant (PA) provides medical care, coordination, and medication management in conjunction with the clinical team of a well-established and highly regarded primary mental health treatment center. Practicing under a Practice Agreement with a supervising Physician, the PA assesses, diagnoses, and treats psychiatric disorders, primarily through medication management. Their duties include evaluating mood, personality, and behavioral disorders, discussing symptoms with patients and the treatment team to determine a diagnosis, and prescribing medication to address the patient’s psychiatric needs. The PA is tasked with ensuring all quality standards are achieved and that psychiatric care is provided according to all company policies and procedures and applicable accreditation standards and state and federal regulations. Education/Experience/Skills Required: • Clear, professional verbal and written communication skills • Proficiency with computer software programs & experience working with an electronic health record platform. • Ability to represent the company and the company’s client care philosophy at conferences, marketing events and during facility tours • Understanding of behavioral health diagnoses, types of treatment and appropriate treatment resources and the ability to communicate this knowledge effectively • Ability to collaborate effectively with leadership and with other departments and staff • Ability to provide constructive coaching, performance feedback and training to clinical staff • Background in psychopharmacology/med management. • Background in suboxone/medication-assisted treatment (MAT) and pain management, preferred • Ability to initiate psychiatric holds under the direction of the supervising physician, preferred • Master’s degree from an ARC-PA accredited Physician Assistant program • Current, unrestricted California Physician Assistant license (Physician Assistant Board of California) • Current NCCPA certification (PA-C) • Must have current DEA Certificate • Practice Agreement with a Physician licensed in California to supervise the PA • Psychiatric/behavioral health PA experience, postgraduate fellowship, or equivalent training, preferred • Must have 3+ years experience of direct patient care • Must have 2+ years experience in a psychiatric/behavioral health role at a like facility / setting, preferred • Must have current CPR and First Aid Certification • Must have current Driver’s License • Must have valid TB Test • Must have documentation of Covid-19 vaccination or qualified exemption • Experience treating addiction a plus Responsibilities: • Assess and diagnose clients upon admission via an Initial Psychiatric Evaluation, consistent with the Practice Agreement and supervising Physician oversight • Weekly or bi-weekly medication management meetings with assigned clients • Attends weekly Treatment Team, Diagnostic and Case Consultation meetings • Provide consultation to the Clinical team on individual cases within scope of practice • Provide clinical guidance and direction to nursing staff in accordance with job responsibilities • Crisis intervention and after hours triage, as needed • Work closely with leadership and administration to ensure quality care • Identify the need for psychological testing, collateral services, special medical services, and work with appropriate parties and the supervising Physician to ensure services provided. • As needed, attend initial assessment meetings with prospective clients and their families to outline the program’s clinical services. • Active engagement with the facility’s marketing team, attending on-site and off-site marketing events, conferences, and program tours. • Maintain ongoing communication, consultation, and chart review with the supervising Physician consistent with the Practice Agreement and applicable regulations. All direct care staff shall have graduated from high school or possess a GED and have a minimum of one (1) year of full-time experience, or its part-time equivalent, working in a program serving persons with mental disabilities. Such experience must be in the direct provision of services to clients. If the employee does not have the required experience, the program shall document a specific plan of supervision and in-service training for the employee, which will guarantee the ongoing qualification of the employee to perform the job. The plan should include, but not be limited to, the frequency and number of hours of training, the subjects to be covered, and a description of the supervision to be provided. Physical Requirements/Work Environment: Work is primarily sedentary in nature, occasionally lifting 30 or more pounds, and must be able to lift up to 50 pounds (ie. luggage). Must be able to walk, stoop, sit, stand, climb, stretch, reach, and possess finger/dexterity. Must be able to walk and work standing on feet up to 75% of the day. Must have a level of mobility necessary to meet patients’ needs. Quality of hearing (whether natural or with accommodation) must be acceptable due to frequent phone conversations with business representatives, potential clients, and families. They must exhibit the ability to display coping skills to handle multiple calls and duties. The risk of exposure to unpredictable situations (i.e., client behavior) exists. Pay Range: $130,000-170,000/year