Job Title:  Physician Assistant

Salary:  Commensurate with Experience

Reports To: Chief Medical Officer (CMO)

FLSA Status: Exempt

Status: Full-time (40 hours/week, schedule varies)

Purpose:

Under a practice agreement with the Health Center, the Physician Assistant is primarily responsible for providing the full scope of primary care services which fall under their field of training, including but not limited to diagnosis, treatment, coordination of care, preventive care and health maintenance to all patients, regardless of age or sex. In addition, the Physician Assistant is expected to be familiar with the philosophy, goals, and objectives of the Health Center, a Federally-Qualified Health Center Look-Alike, and to work collaboratively to achieve them. The Physician Assistant may be directed by the CMO to perform other duties in accordance with funding agencies’ requirements, contractual agreements, as well as policies, procedures and protocols established by the Health Centers’ Board of Directors.

Job Duties:

• Assume quality of care for all patients.
  • Obtain health history and perform physical examinations.
  • Diagnose and direct counseling for each patient on a plan for treatment.
  • Prescribe medication in accordance with Virginia statute, the Health Centers policies, and professional practice guidelines.
  • Arrange referral for patients requiring services not offered at the Health Center.
  • Review incoming reports (e.g., lab, x-ray), sign, date and follow-up in a timely manner and in accordance with the Health Centers policies.
  • Participate in staff outreach and off-site health care programs in the Health Centers service area as assigned by the CMO.
  • Comply with the Health Centers Infection Control plan, which includes personally utilizing universal precautions. Ensure compliance by support staff.
• Diagnose and treat a wide range of pediatric and adult acute and chronic diseases and injures including but not limited to conditions of the:
  • Skin
  • Pulmonary System
  • Head
  • Gastrointestinal System
  • Musculoskeletal System
  • Ears
  • Genitourinary System
  • Nose
  • Reproductive Systems
  • Throat
  • Lymphatic System
  • Neck
  • Central Nervous System
  • Cardiovascular System
  • Endocrine System
  • Psychiatric and Behavioral Health
• Adhere to the highest standards of medical practice, ethics, and professionalism at all times.
• Assist the CMO in establishing medical policies; quality improvement procedures; and evaluating current practices, policies and procedures.
• Participate in peer review, quality assurance, provider meetings, and other clinical meetings.
• Assist the CMO in designing, implementing and evaluating educational programs for the Health Centers patients and clinical staff.
• Provide direction, training and guidance to the assigned clinical support team.
• Recommend changes in all clinical areas, and/or in general areas to improve the patient flow, medical records, billing practices, and appointment practices.
• Adhere to UDS productivity standards and meet at least the minimum requirement.
• Perform their duties as required by the funding agencies to carry out contractual agreements and/or as established by the Health Centers management and Board of Directors.
  • Must become familiar with the Federal and State rules, regulations, and practices in a Community Health Center.
  • Must become familiar with Federal and State health care program requirements and assist in carrying out these programs.
• Promote the Health Centers mission statement.
• Provide direct patient care and serve in rotation for after-hours call system.
• Supervise students in training at the Health Center, as assigned by the CMO.

Qualifications:

• Graduate of a physician assistant training program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
• Possess certification as a physician assistant as determined by the National Commission on the Certification of Physician Assistants
• Possess a current unrestricted license to practice as a physician assistant in the Commonwealth of Virginia
• Current D.E.A. certificate
• Insurability (malpractice)
• Current Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Certificate (CPR)
• Advanced Life Support certificate and/or Pediatric Advanced Life Support certificate.

Skills:

• Extensive experience with and dedication to serving vulnerable populations.
• Ability to relate to the public regardless of race, color, creed, religion, gender, gender identification, sexual orientation, national origin, disability or age.

Physical Requirements:

The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to site; use hands to manipulate objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; and talk and hear. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally life and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus. Noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.

I understand that this job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed. It is not intended to serve as an exhaustive list of all duties, skills and responsibilities required.

About Virginia Community Healthcare Association

Virginia Community Healthcare Association (VCHA) is a non-profit membership organization that serves as the primary care association for Virginia’s thirty community health centers and look-alike health centers. Membership in VCHA is open to all Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and Federally Qualified Health Center Look-Alikes operating delivery sites in Virginia. VCHA supports our health centers in their mission to provide access to health care regardless of geographic location or ability to pay.

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