Job Description

Position Summary:

A physician assistant employed by Orthopaedic Associates of Zanesville is expected to assist in the medical and surgical care of patients in both the inpatient and outpatient setting as outlined in the Principal Duties and Responsibilities below. An Orthopaedic Associates of Zanesville physician assistant will report directly to their respective attending physician and will participate in all aspects of patient care as indicated and will be expected to perform duties described.

Position Responsibilities/Standards:

Outpatient Clinics

Attend outpatient clinics and participates in the initial evaluation, as well as, longitudinal care of patients.

Obtain detailed medical history and perform comprehensive physical examination of patients.

Order and review appropriate diagnostic testing including radiographs, CT scans, MRI’s, EMG’s and DEXA scans.

Conduct procedures (under direction and appropriate level of supervision of the attending physician), including but not limited to: management of closed fractures including casting and splinting and aspiration/injection of bursae and/or joints.

Develop and implement plan of care with attending supervision.

Complete appropriate documentation of all evaluations, care and services rendered to the patient in their medical record in a timely fashion.

Make appropriate referral for consultations when indicated.

Provide both pre and post operative patient education to patients and their families.

Respond to telephone inquiries of patients and provide appropriate medical care, referral for consultation or counseling.

Communicate with referring or primary care physicians, athletic training and physical therapy staff regarding patient care and treatment.

Provide follow up and health maintenance care including the appropriate adjustment of medications in accordance with established protocols or in response to specific instructions from the attending physician.

Prescription of medications to accomplish the plan of treatment as delineated by attending physician.

Organization and task assignment to other healthcare team members (RN’s, MA’s and technicians) to facilitate flow of patients.

Must have a basic understanding of current CMS guidelines for E&M coding of medical services rendered.

Must have a basic knowledge of electronic medical record (EMR) usage and basic computer skills.

Surgery

Prepare patients for surgery, including operative set-up, patient positioning, skin preparation and administration of local anesthetics when indicated.

Function as first or second assistant in the operating room including performing surgical exposure, surgical dissections, layer closure of wounds, preparation of antilogous and allograft materials, application of dressings and immobilization devices.

Function as liaison to the intraoperative team to ensure appropriate surgical equipment is available when needed.

Assist attending physician in the completing, securing, or dispensing of appropriate preoperative and postoperative records, prescriptions and pictures/video.

Perform pre-operative history and physical examination as needed.

Inpatient Care

Complete records on all inpatients as directed by attending physician in accordance with hospital policy and standards.

Notifies attending physician on call, house physician on call or supervising physician regarding any unusual or unexpected events or problems requiring direct physician consultation.

Provide routine medical management of inpatient care including ordering of diagnostic tests, labs, x-rays, medications (within the scope of the PA license) nutrition and managing adjunctive care.

Participate in multidisciplinary rounds and communication of treatment plans with orthopedic physician, nursing staff, and families.

Manage discharge of patients with appropriate disposition, follow up planning, adjunctive therapy management and education.

Make assessment of emergency conditions in conjunction with attending physician and implement appropriate management.

On –Call or Special Requirements

Responsibilities of the physician assistant to be available after hours or on weekends will vary by physician and circumstance. A physician assistant may be requested and/or required to attend sports physicals, sporting events or clinic coverage on nights or weekends at the discretion of their attending physician.

A physician assistant may also be required to remain available or called to assist their attending physician for hospital call responsibilities.

A physician assistant may on occasion be requested to assist the attending physician by triaging, evaluating or assist in management of an emergency department patient or after hour call from a patient of the practice. It is expected that this type of special requirement would not be a routine clinical practice.

A physician assistant may be requested to be an informal educator or formal clinical preceptor for a number of various students ranging from ATC students, physician assistant students and fellows.

Education/Experience Required:

Graduate of a CAAHEP (Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs) approved Physician Assistant Training program.

Must be certified by the NCCPA (National Commission on the Certification of Physician Assistants) or eligible to sit for the exam.

Licensure or eligible for licensing as a Physician’s Assistant in the State of Ohio.

If prescriptive authority is requested as part of practice privileges, the Physician Assistant must provide evidence of prescriptive authority eligibility as approved by the State Medical Board of Ohio.

Maintains CME hours for recertification (50 hrs CME category 1 and 50 hrs CME Category II) every two year period, and successful completion of their recertification examination every six years. Also maintains State of Ohio licensure per guidelines.

Working Conditions

Generally busy clinical environment including office, clinics, operating room and hospital. Will be required to travel to various clinic and hospital based locations. There is requirement for prolonged standing and walking and moderate physical activity. Work environment involves exposure to potentially dangerous materials and situations that require following extensive safety precautions and may include the use of protective equipment. Will work with blood or blood borne pathogens and will require OSHA training.

Success Factors

Good organizational skills needed to manage multiple tasks in a busy clinical environment.

Demonstrated ability to work independently while making autonomous and medically sound decisions

Above average oral and written communication skills

Ability to effectively communicate and work with physicians, residents, nurses, patients, families, staff, other healthcare professionals, and management

Ability to work with and maintain confidentiality of patient, patient account and personnel data

Flexibility in work schedule needed

Exceptional customer service skills

The ability to work as a team member is necessary for this position

Adherence to Allied Health bylaws and regulations

Seeking continuously to improve the quality of care provided by Orthopaedic Asso