Physician Assistant (Orthopedics)

Job Title

Physician Assistant

Job Description

The Physician Assistant will work in the Orthopedic Section - Surgery Service, within the Surgery and Diagnostic Care Line at the Northport VA Medical Center. Duties and responsibilities include:

• Providing effective care to patients characterized by the use of sound judgment in assessing, planning, implementing, documenting, and evaluating patient care for assigned patients.
• Demonstrating the ability to analyze and solve more complex medical problems than at the entry level grade and can utilize their training in successful practice of patient care and participate in team problem solving. This includes possessing the skill and competency to obtain thorough medical histories, perform comprehensive physical examinations, order appropriate diagnostic studies, interpret and analyze medical data, establish diagnoses, formulate and implement treatment plans and modify treatment plans when appropriate.
• Working effectively and making appropriate requests for assistance from the assigned physician and recognizing complex patient care situations where referral is appropriate.
• Referencing quality improvement information and organizing patient care needs to assure safe, efficient and cost-effective care.
• Being aware and compliant of VA SAIL metrics and VA Performance Measures.
• Providing patients and families with education on preventive care, medical conditions, and the use of prescribed treatments.
• Performing daily rounds to observe and document the patient's medical progress (depending upon the service need for inpatient care).
• Cooperating with and participating in medical duties or functions related to quality of care, peer review and with other performance improvement activities as directed.
• Possessing computer skills to access and input typed data on each patient into the computerized patient record system (CPRS).
• Establishing professional working relationships with other clinical service providers within the medical center and outlying clinics, providing telephone and e-consult consultations as needed.
• Supporting members of the Orthopedics team and performing other duties as mutually agreed upon.
• Providing education to residents to ensure understanding of VA policies and daily operational processes/procedures; practicing within licensure and in accordance with VA Bylaws, Rules and Regulations, and following Joint Commission standards.
• Attending mandatory trainings, such as, VA Voices, Own the Moment, TMS courses and complying with CME requirements.

Orthopedic Duties:

• Obtaining the patient's consent and updated history
• Physical and scrubbing in OR cases as first assist
• Performing suturing and wound closures
• Performing other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm

Telework: Not Available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized