Physician Assistant - Santa Cruz, CA

SUMMARY

Responsible for providing primary and urgent care to a diverse patient population, focusing on health maintenance, disease prevention, patient education, and counseling. Works under a Practice Agreement following established guidelines and within established scope of practice. 

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Demonstrates the ability to perform physical exams on all patients, neonate through the geriatric population. 
• Obtains and documents the patient's medical history. Identifies health risk factors. 
• Demonstrates the ability to diagnose and treat common acute illnesses. 
• Demonstrates the ability to diagnose and treat chronic illnesses such as diabetes and hypertension. 
• Performs all aspects of patient care in an environment that optimizes patient safety and reduces the likelihood of medical/health care errors. 
• Supports and maintains a culture of safety and quality. 
• Orders and interprets diagnostic tests, i.e., laboratory work, x-rays, EKG. 
• Provides well childcare; women's healthcare, prenatal care, family planning. 
• Demonstrates the ability to prescribe medications (see individual state laws) and non-pharmacological therapies based on the patient's diagnoses, health history and age. 
• Encourages positive health behaviors for the maintenance of health and the prevention of disease. This is done through education and counseling. 
• Always applies standardized care guidelines in clinical practice. 
• Provides patient and/or family with health education, counseling and referrals to other healthcare professionals and community resources when appropriate. 
• Assesses and documents patient and/or family psycho-social issues. 
• Treats patients and families with respect and dignity. Maintains high patient satisfaction scores. 
• Collaborates with physicians and other members of the health team to plan optimal care for the patient. 
• Works with the patient and family to formulate a patient treatment and education plan.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES 

• Provides follow-up care, determines the effectiveness of the treatment plan, reassesses and changes the plan as needed. 
• Documentation meets all standards and policies. Documentation includes all findings, interventions and results. Appropriately codes E&M at appropriate levels, without over or under coding. Completes and signs all documentation timely, usually at the point of service, but no later than the end of the shift. 
• Maintains patient confidentiality at all times. 
• Functions as a patient advocate. 
• Demonstrates the ability to be flexible, organized, and function under stressful situations. 
• Participates in performance improvement and continuous quality improvement (CQI) activities. 
• Stays current with medical advancements, new technology, new drugs through continuing education classes, society meetings, professional journals, etc. 
• Attends all departmental, organizational, and medical staff committee meetings as appropriate. 
• Meets the organization’s requirements for participation in government and private payer incentive programs, such as PQRS and Meaningful Use. 
• Completes patient charts following appropriate documentation guidelines in a timely manner.
• Assists with the development and implementation of specific policies and procedures.

CREDENTIALS/EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE 

• Bachelor's Degree in Health Sciences, etc. 
• Graduate of an accredited Physician Assistant Program. 
• Current Physician Assistant license from the California Physician Assistant Board 
• The scope of practice is related directly to the PA’s supervising physician and California laws. 
• Current BCLS certification. 
• Registered with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Registration must be obtained within the first six (6) months of employment.
• Basic computer knowledge. Ability to master efficient use of EMR.
• Able to perform minor office surgeries, apply casts and splints, laceration repairs. (Training will be provided if needed)
• Basic X-ray interpretation. (Training will be provided if needed)
• Workers Comp experience preferred 
• Telemedicine evaluations for common minor injuries and illnesses.
• Able to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing. 
• Able to communicate effectively in Spanish is highly desirable.

 Locations: On-site at our DOD clinic in Watsonville, CA

Schedule: Monday - Friday,  8 am - 6 pm and weekends 8 am - 3 pm

CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT:

We will require you to prove that you have received the COVID-19 vaccine or have a valid religious or medical reason not to be vaccinated.