Physician Assistant

Family Practice Physician Assistant

The family practice physician assistant is a member of the primary health care team who works with supervision of licensed physicians and other medical staff to provide comprehensive health care to patients. The physician assistant engages in independent decision-making about health care needs and provides health care services to individuals throughout their life span. They collect patient histories, perform physical and psychological health assessments, provide patient education and counseling, ensure continuity of health care services and manage acute and chronic disease conditions.

The physician assistant provides diagnostic and therapeutic management to patients. Specific areas of responsibility include performing a wide variety of pulmonary, musculoskeletal, ear, nose, throat, and cardiovascular, genitourinary, gastrointestinal, obstetrical and gynecological therapies. Physician assistants also perform minor surgical procedures within the realm of their practice agreement with their supervising physician. The physician assistant refers to other health care providers as necessary.

Job duties include:

• Within the physician/PA relationship, the physician assistant exercise autonomy in a medical decision-making and provide a broad range of diagnostic and therapeutic services. The clinical role of the physician assistant includes primary and specialty care in medical and surgical practice agreement settings in rural and urban areas.
• The supervising relationship between the physician and the physician assistant is defined by a mutually agreed upon set of guidelines.
• The extent of the involvement of the physician assistant in the assessment and implementation of treatment will depend on the complexity and acuity of the patient's condition and the training and experience of the physician assistant as judged by the supervising physician. Maintain accurate and organized medical records.
• Primary work site is the Selby Clinic, but employee will provide services where needed in accordance with the leadership directives.

Clinic/community leadership includes:

• Attend selected meetings within clinic and participate in appropriate organizational committees as requested by the medical director, i.e., staff meetings, provider meetings, and performance improvement meetings. Participate in peer review and clinic audits.
• Participate in community education programs as requested.
• Supervise other clinic personnel as assigned.
• Maintain knowledge of current medical practice and skills. Complete required continuing education credits.

Education/qualifications include:

• Graduate of an accredited physician assistant training program.
• Current license with the Minnesota Board of Medical Practice.
• Current certification through the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants. (NCCPA)
• Excellent decision-making skills in regards to diagnostic and therapeutic patient care.
• Commitment to preventative authority.
• Active membership in professional association preferred.
• Body mobility, coordinated dexterity of hands, ears, and eyes: sensory acuity and verbal ability.

Responsible to: Assumes responsibility/accountability to self, patient, family, community and professional colleagues.

Reports to: Supervising physician and medical director in a team approach. Clinic manager for those items involving clinic operations or business functions.