Job Summary:
Responsible for providing direct patient care and supervising care of patients admitted to the service and any others as defined by the Collaborative agreement the PA has with the collaborating physician. Provides direct patient care for a variety of patients diagnoses utilizing evidence-based practice. Responsible for prompt recognition of acute change in patient status necessitating emergent change in plan of care. Patient care includes daily rounds independent of physicians, performing detailed history and physicals on admission, diagnosing and treating patient with current scope of care, collaborating and consulting multidisciplinary team to optimize patient care and outcomes. Formal consults will be made to other specialists when deemed necessary. Will work closely with ancillary departments to ensure appropriate and timely work up and disposition of all patients. Provide comprehensive discharge plan to facilitate proper transition of care. Serves as both role model and resource to nursing staff. Provides ongoing staff education as needed. Provides patient education on ongoing basis. Maintains current credentialing/privileges, CEU requirements, licensure and certification as required. Serves as liaison between ED physicians, specialists, consultants, admitting physicians, and Primary Care physicians to coordinate patient care services in order to optimize patient care and maximize utilization of resources.

Required Education:
Graduate of a Physician Assistant Program accredited by the American Academy of Physician Assistant. BS/BA required or completion from an accredited Nurse Practitioner Program, Family Nurse Practitioner Program with Acute Care certification

Preferred Experience:
Hospital based experience either as Physician Assistant or other capacity.
Critical Care, Emergency department, Demonstrated competence in specialty with minimum of 3 years experience in practicing specialty

Position Requirement(s): License/Certification/Registration
Required:
Licensed as a Physician Assistant in the state of Tennessee
National Board Certification
BLS completed prior to going to the unit/ department and maintained going forward
ACLS certification required for those involved in direct patient care
Unencumbered DEA number

Department Position Summary:
The Physician Assistant Acute Care Inpatient will work in conjunction and support the inpatient team in providing expeditious, safe, patient centered care in a manner that judiciously utilizes Erlanger Health System resources and promotes positive patient responses concerning HCAHPS. The Acute Care Inpatient Physician Assistant provides clinical expertise and continuity of care for patients admitted under their care. This care is a continuum from the time of admission through discharge or final disposition. The Physician Assistant will work collaboratively with ED physicians and specialists and serve as patient/physician liaisons with all referring and consulting physicians. The Physician Assistant must have a strong knowledge base of a variety of diagnoses and treatments, strong leadership skills, organizational functions, policies and regulations as well as evidenced based practice. The Acute Care Inpatient Physician Assistant will:

Work collaboratively with Intensivists, Hospitalists, ED, and referring physicians.

Maintain and update policies, procedures, and algorithms in keeping with current evidence- based practice

Serve as both a resource and role model/mentor to RN staff

Keep current with all required Continuing education

Provide patient/family teaching to improve outcomes and patient satisfaction

Role Specific responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Perform detailed History and Physical

Order and interpret, and provide treatment as necessary: CXR, EKG, Laboratory studies, and other diagnostic radiologic studies

Provide staff education

Provide patient and family education

Provide physician referrals as needed

Recognize and treat acute changes in patient status

Collaborate with physician sponsor and ancillary departments as needed

Generate accurate provider charges

Round on patients daily