Description

JOB SUMMARY: The primary purpose of the Physician Assistant position is to provide direct patient care through comprehensive assessment, planning, treatment, evaluation, performance of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, and patient, family, and staff education. Patient care is provided under physician supervision.

SPECIFIC JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Provides quality patient care based on the individual's diagnosis, treatment plan, age group, developmental stage, and other identified needs.
2. Conducts history, physical, and psychosocial assessments during initial and follow-up visits.
3. Reviews patient history, physical findings, laboratory and imaging results, and collaborates with the supervising physician on diagnostic and treatment plans.
4. Performs daily rounds on inpatients and communicates findings and test results to the attending physician.
5. Assesses and modifies treatment plans as needed.
6. Provides psychological support to patients and their families.
7. Delivers care throughout the disease process, including diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, palliative, and end-of-life care.
8. Facilitates communication between patients, families, and the interdisciplinary healthcare team to coordinate patient services.
9. Works with nursing and administrative staff to ensure the scheduling of consultations, diagnostic tests, procedures, and follow-up appointments.
10. Collaborates with medical, nursing, and other healthcare disciplines on care planning, discharge planning, and follow-up care.
11. Undergoes training in specific procedures as required.
12. Once competency is demonstrated, independently performs procedures in clinical and surgical settings under physician direction.
    1. Examples of surgical procedures may include but are not limited to closure of surgical incisions, tissue grafting, and first assisting in surgical procedures.
    2. Examples of clinical procedures may include but are not limited to wound care, suture removal, endoscopic examinations, and in-office biopsies.
13. Participates in case presentations and interdisciplinary conferences.
14. Encouraged to attend relevant professional meetings and training to stay updated on the latest research and technology.
15. Assists in data collection for clinical research initiatives

OTHER JOB REQUIREMENTS: May be required to travel for consultation and attendance at meetings or events.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: No direct supervision.

EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION, LICENSURE, REGISTRATION:

1. Graduate of a Physician Assistant training program approved by the Council of Medical Education of the American Medical Association.
2. Physician Assistant certification by the National Commission of Certification of Physician Assistants
3. Possession of a valid Arkansas license as a Physician Assistant.
4. Maintains all CME requirements set forth by the National Commission of Certification of Physician Assistants
5. A current, or be eligible for, a DEA license.
6. Certificate of Prescriptive Authority
7. ACLS Certified
8. Must possess valid Arkansas driver's license

EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, and ABILITIES:

1. Surgical procedure experience strongly, preferred.

REASONING ABILITY:

1. Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
2. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, or schedule form

INTERPERSONAL SKILLS:

1. Must interact and communicate both verbally and in written form to interact with patients, family members, vendors and outside consultants and service organizations and technical persons at outside facilities on an intermittent basis.
2. Must interact and exchange information regarding patients with physicians and other departmental personnel, students, and outside agencies on a frequent basis while respecting the confidentiality of patient information.
3. Ability to use tact and diplomacy in making recommendations, reporting errors or problems, securing information, or discussing patient treatments when dealing with physicians and staff on a frequent basis.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

1. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear.
2. The employee regularly is required to stand, walk, sit, use hand to finger, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms.
3. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The work environment described here is representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

This position involves potential exposure to infectious diseases. Team members are offered appropriate vaccinations and safety training.

COMMENTS:
This description is intended to describe the essential job functions, the general supplemental functions, and the essential requirements for the performance of the job. It is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and requirements of a person so classified. Other functions may be assigned, and management retains the right to add or change the duties at any time. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.