Primary Care Physician

Overview

The Primary Care Physician (PCP) is a licensed/Board Certified/Board Eligible trained professional in internal or family medicine who plays a key role as part of the clinical operations team providing direct patient care and providing assessments primarily in the ambulatory health‑care center setting, or occasionally in acute care, nursing homes, skilled nursing facilities (SNF) and home settings depending on the nature of the assignment. The responsibilities include but are not limited to geriatric assessment, medical history, physical exam, diagnosis and treatment, development of the plan of care, health education, specialty referrals, case‑management referrals, follow‑up and clear documentation according to ChenMed standards for quality, service, productivity and teamwork. It also includes participation in clinical rounds and conferences, plus in-depth documentation through written progress notes and summaries.

The PCP will be required to demonstrate the ability to function both independently and in collaboration with other health‑care professionals. The PCP will consult with the applicable managers and medical directors to ensure compliance with guidelines along with participating in risk and quality‑management programs, clinical meetings and other meetings as required. The PCP will adhere to strict departmental goals/objectives, standards of performance, regulatory compliance, quality‑patient‑care compliance, and policies and procedures.

Essential Job Duties / Responsibilities

• Functions independently as a primary care practitioner as part of a patient‑care team.
• Independently assesses acute and non‑acute clinical problems.
• Performs and documents physical assessments and patient histories, analyzes trends in patient conditions, and develops, documents and implements a patient‑management plan in response to the data obtained. This also includes assisting in the development of the plan of care in addition to providing appropriate patient/family/significant‑other counseling and education.
• Plans patient care based on in‑depth knowledge of the specific patient population and/or protocol, anticipating and identifying physiological and/or psychological problems commonly encountered including the consideration of the patient’s cultural background, level of understanding, personality and support systems. Serves as patient advocate.
• Patient management includes the following: 1) writing admission, transfer and discharge orders; 2) ordering and interpreting appropriate laboratory and diagnostic studies; 3) ordering of appropriate medication and treatments; 4) referring patients for consultation when indicated i.e. dermatology, neurology, ophthalmology, endocrine, surgery, intensive care, infectious disease, hematology, psychiatry, social service, dietary, etc.; 5) Documentation through in‑depth progress notes and summaries.
• Participates in patient‑care rounds and conferences. Communicates patient‑management strategies to members of the patient‑care team.
• Collaborates with members of the multidisciplinary team to ensure that patient‑management strategies are successful in meeting patient care needs.
• Recognizes situations which require the immediate attention and initiates life‑saving procedures when necessary.
• Uses advanced communication skills to problem‑solve complex situations and to improve processes and service to patients.
• Collaborates with other multidisciplinary team members to analyze and evaluate current systems of health care delivery to identify and implement new practice patterns as appropriate.
• Participates in outside activities that enhance personal and professional growth and development.
• Initiates arrangements and writes orders for discharges and completes appropriate paperwork.
• Works collaboratively with physicians, nurses, PT, social workers, family and key caregivers to transition the patient to a lower level of care as soon as medically appropriate.
• Advocacy & education – ensuring the patient has an advocate for needed services and any needed education.
• Introduces self to patient/family and explains primary care provider role.
• Facilitates patient/family conferences to review treatment goals, optimize resource utilization, provide family education and identify needs.
• Enhances a collaborative relationship to maximize the patient’s/family’s ability to make informed decisions re: goals of care, palliative care and hospice.
• Utilization/Financial Management – managing resource utilization and reimbursement for services.
• Facilitates discharge to appropriate level of care and uses preferred providers when additional services are required.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Competencies for Success

• Critically analyzes data and evidence for improving clinical practice.
• Integrates knowledge from the humanities and sciences.
• Translates research and other forms of knowledge to improve practice processes and outcomes.
• Develops new practice approaches based on the integration of research, theory, and practice knowledge.

Scientific Foundation Competencies

• Assumes complex and advanced leadership roles to initiate and guide change.
• Provides leadership to foster collaboration with multiple stakeholders (e.g. patients, community, integrated health‑care teams, and policy makers) to improve health care.
• Demonstrates leadership that uses critical and reflective thinking.
• Advocates for improved access, quality and cost‑effective health care.
• Advances practice through the development and implementation of innovations incorporating principles of change.
• Communicates practice knowledge effectively both orally and in writing.
• Participates in professional organizations and activities that influence health outcomes of a population focus.

Quality Competencies

• Uses best available evidence to continuously improve quality of clinical practice.
• Evaluates the relationships among quality, safety, access, and cost and their influence on health care.
• Evaluates how organizational structure, care processes, financing, marketing and policy decisions impact the quality of health care.
• Applies skills in peer review to promote a culture of excellence.
• Anticipates variations in practice and is proactive in implementing interventions to ensure quality.

Practice Inquiry Competencies

• Provides leadership in the translation of new knowledge into practice.
• Generates knowledge from clinical practice to improve practice and patient outcomes.
• Applies clinical investigative skills to improve health outcomes.
• Leads practice inquiry, individually or in partnership with others.
• Disseminates evidence from inquiry to diverse audiences using multiple modalities.
• Analyzes clinical guidelines for individualized application into practice.

Technology and Information Literacy Competencies

• Integrates appropriate technologies for knowledge management to improve health care.
• Translates technical and scientific health information appropriate for various users’ needs.
• Assesses the patient’s and caregiver’s educational needs to provide effective, personalized health care.
• Coaches the patient and caregiver for positive behavioral change.
• Demonstrates information literacy skills in complex decision making.
• Contributes to the design of clinical information systems that promote safe, quality and cost‑effective care.
• Uses technology systems, with ongoing learning and updates, which capture data on variables for the evaluation of primary care.

Policy Competencies

• Demonstrates an understanding of the interdependence of policy and practice.
• Advocates for ethical policies that promote access, equity, quality, and cost.
• Analyzes ethical, legal, and social factors influencing policy development.
• Contributes in the development of health policy.
• Analyzes the implications of health policy across disciplines.
• Evaluates the impact of globalization on health care policy development.

Pay Range

$221,141 - $315,915 Salary
The posted pay range represents the base hourly rate or base annual full‑time salary for this position. Final compensation will depend on a variety of factors including but not limited to experience, education, geographic location, and other relevant factors. This position may also be eligible for bonuses or commissions.