Physician Assistant

Department: Outpatient Clinics

MISSION STATEMENT

The Kewa Pueblo Health Corporation (KPHC) is established for the purpose of carrying out the vision and mission of the Santo Domingo Health Center (SDHC). The VISION OF KPHC is: “HEALTHY PEOPLE, HEALTHY COMMUNITY, HEALTH LIFESTYLE” and the MISSION of KPHC is: “ENSURING HEALTH & WELLNESS THROUGH EXCELLENCE IN HEALTHCARE WITH RESPECT FOR CULTURE”.

PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS

In performance of their respective tasks and duties all employees of the Santo Domingo Health Center are expected to conform to the following:

• Uphold all principles of confidentiality and patient care to the fullest extent.
• Adhere to all professional and ethical behavior standards of the healthcare industry, and uphold KPHC values.
• Interact in an honest, trustworthy and dependable manner with patients, employees and vendors.
• Possess cultural awareness and sensitivity.
• Maintain a current insurable driver’s license.
• Comply with all Kewa Pueblo Health Corporation and Santo Domingo Health Center policies and procedures, as well as all applicable laws.
• Incumbent may be required to work day, evening or holiday shifts.

POSITION PURPOSE

The incumbent works under the supervision of designated Clinic Physicians while providing direct patient care to patients of all ages with a variety of medical, pediatric and geriatric health needs. Primary focus is on ambulatory walk-in (unscheduled patients) and selected patients requiring follow-up for chronic care.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES, FUNCTIONS & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Performs initial evaluation and triage for ambulatory patients presenting to “walk-in” clinic (i.e. unscheduled). Discerns nature and level of urgency of the complaint and either treats or refers as appropriate. Provides therapeutic and preventive health services to individual patients, family members and patient groups in a clinic setting as assigned by supervising physician. .
• Assesses and diagnoses needs and sets up a plan of action to address identified needs. Applies necessary skills learned in all phases of health care services. Makes independent decisions concerning evaluation and treatment per level of independence as approved by supervising physician.
• Assess, diagnoses and treats minor illnesses, chronic health conditions (i.e. diabetes and hypertension).
• Provides counseling and health instructions to patients.
• Teaches patients and families in techniques on positive health measures, emphasizing responsibilities of medical care, diagnosis and treatment; promotes positive behavior.
• Participates in specialty clinics as assigned (i.e. immunization, maternal and child health clinics, well baby clinics, etc.).
• Becomes familiar with the cultural, social, political, geographic, demographic, economic and epidemiological characteristics of the Santo Domingo Pueblo.
• Participates in quality assurance activities of the Santo Domingo Health Center.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM MANDATORY QUALIFICATIONS

Experience: • A minimum of two years’ experience working in a healthcare facility, hospital, rural clinic or health center.

Education: • Must be board certified or eligible. (Must pass national PA boards within 18 months maximum of hiring)

Certification: • Must have CPR and/or ACLS certification(s) or ability to obtain within 90 days from date of hire.

MANDATORY KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge and applied skills in utilizing concepts of adult education including motivation behavior changes.
• Incumbent must have knowledge of moral and customs of the ethnic group within the area and the ability to generate an appreciation of cultural differences.
• Knowledge and skills necessary in making physical and psychosocial assessments of communities, families and individuals, recognizing the range of “normal” and the manifestations of common abnormalities, and selects, plans and implements necessary therapeutic treatments based on the assessments.
• Knowledge of drugs and biological effects, and the desired effect on treatment of disease.
• Incumbent must have the knowledge and ability to interview and provide counseling in preventive health care on nutrition, common illnesses, child growth and development patterns and mental health, etc.
• Comprehensive knowledge of Kewa Pueblo Health Corporation Medical staff by-laws, rules and regulations and comply with all requirements for appointment to and must be credentialed and privileged in accordance with Kewa Pueblo Health Corporation medical staff by-laws.
• A record of satisfactory performance in all prior and current employment as evidenced by positive employment references from previous and current employers.
• Familiarity with the mandatory reporting requirements under the Indian Child Protection Act, with regards to suspected incidence of child abuse or child neglect.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bilingual skills in English and the Keres native language.
• Emergent or Urgent care experience.
• Familiarity and ability to perform skilled procedures, including but not limited to: suturing of simple lacerations, management of intravenous lines including IV antibiotic administration, bladder catherization and ostomy care.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the primary functions of this job. Normal office conditions exist, and the noise level in the work environment can vary from low to moderate. In addition, the work environment may include exposure to hazardous materials and waste, contagious diseases (i.e. HIV, COVID, TB, etc.) and high stress. This position may be exposed to certain health risks that are inherent when working within a health center facility.

Physical demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the primary functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be required to frequently stand, walk, sit, bend, twist, talk and hear. There may be prolonged periods of sitting, keyboarding, reading, as well as driving or riding in transport vehicles. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include reading, distance, computer, and color vision. Talking and hearing are essential to communicate with patients, vendors and staff.

Mental demands: There are a number of deadlines associated with this position. The employee must also multi-task and interact with a wider variety of people on various and, at times, complicated issues.

OTHER

All employees must uphold all principles of confidentiality and patient care to the fullest extent. This position has access to sensitive information and a breach of these principles will be grounds for immediate termination.