Physician Assistant-PACE

JOB SUMMARY: Provides medical care to program participants under the supervision of a physician.

JOB RESPONSBILITIES:

• Serves on the PACE interdisciplinary team.
• Performs comprehensive history and physical examinations of participants - initial assessments, six month assessments, and unscheduled assessments.
• Develops, revises and keeps current treatment plans for participants.
• Integrates clinical treatment plans with the overall plan of care for each participant.
• Collaborates with the physician, nurses and IDT to meet the needs of participants at home, in the clinic or in a nursing facility to prevent serious acute illnesses that require inpatient treatment.
• Evaluates and treats participants with acute, episodic and chronic illnesses, collaborating with the physician in the management of patient care.
• Prescribes medications as indicated and monitors utilization.
• Refers participants to and monitors care provided by medical specialists and other primary care providers.
• Refers participants to inpatient physicians for necessary hospital admission,
• Monitors each admission for service utilization and optimal clinical outcome.
• Advises the IDT and hospital case managers about discharge planning.
• Manages the care of home-bound participants and participants in nursing facilities through regular visits and telephone contacts.
• Visits homebound participants as scheduled and visits other participants at home as needed.
• Oversees care provided by visiting nurses.
• Communicates changes in participant status to IDT members and notes changes in medical records.
• Educates participants, staff and caregivers on health care issues.
• Participates in family conferences, team meetings, committees and work groups as required.
• Serves on the Compliance Committee and PACE Administrative Team.
• Participates in the Quality Improvement program.
• Participates in the coordination of a 24-hour care delivery system, sharing call with the physician.
• Completes documentation in the medical record as required.
• Maintains a safe and clean working environment
• Adheres to infection control policies and procedures.
• Utilizes the protocol entitled Clinical Guidelines in Family Practice (Uphold and Graham).
• Acts within the scope of his or her professional license.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Oral and written communication skills
• Interpersonal skills
• Computer skills
• Organizational skills
• Problem solving skills
• Record keeping and reporting skills

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: The work of the Licensed Practical Nurses, Registered Nurses, Clinical Services Supervisor and other clinical staff should meet the approval of the Physician Assistant.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Physician Assistant who holds a graduate degree from an accredited Physician Assistant program approved by the Virginia Board of Medicine and certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA).

Must hold a current Virginia license to practice as a Physician Assistant.

Practice agreement in place with the collaborating physician.

One or more years’ experience with a geriatric population.

Balid driver’s license and reliable transportation.

Proven clinical leadership skills and the ability to get along with others in a team setting.

Medically cleared for communicable diseases with up-to-date immunizations before participant contact.

Criminal history records check at hire.

Drug screen at hire.

WORK SCHEDULE: Full time. Schedule may vary due to week-end and after-hours call. Expected to work in a clinical setting at the PACE Center at least four days each week, Monday-Friday.