Physician Assistant - Crisis Care Center

Here's a version tailored for an inpatient facility setting:

Physician Assistants (PAs), under the direct supervision of a licensed MD or DO and in accordance with Oklahoma state regulations, provide comprehensive medical and psychiatric care to patients in an inpatient behavioral health setting. Responsibilities include conducting psychiatric and medical evaluations, assessing and managing acute and chronic conditions, prescribing medications, monitoring treatment response, and participating in discharge planning.

As part of an interdisciplinary treatment team, Physician Assistants collaborate with psychiatrists, nursing staff, therapists, case managers, and other healthcare professionals to ensure coordinated, patient-centered care. They assist in crisis intervention, facilitate continuity of care with referring providers and community resources, and support quality improvement initiatives within the facility.

Candidates must demonstrate knowledge of behavioral health disorders, co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders, and evidence-based interventions appropriate for inpatient treatment. Physician Assistants maintain prescribing privileges in collaboration with a supervising MD or DO and practice in compliance with Oklahoma Scope of Practice requirements, facility policies, and applicable regulatory standards.

Consumer Engagement, Assessment & Prescribing Duties

• Demonstrate knowledge of and fidelity to the Certified Community Behavioral Health Center (CCBHC) model, including its history, philosophy, structure, and purpose.
• Conduct comprehensive psychiatric assessments, including psychiatric history, course of illness, treatment response, mental status exams, and DSM-5 diagnosis.
• Provide medication management services, including reviewing vitals, prescribing psychotropic medications, monitoring for side effects, and educating consumers on medication use and adherence.
• Deliver facility-based opioid treatment (OBOT), including medication-assisted treatment (MAT) and inpatient withdrawal management, as appropriate.
• Provide on-site crisis assessments and interventions to stabilize acute situations.
• Ensure services are welcoming, engaging, integrated, and comprehensive in scope.

Collaboration & Care Coordination

• Collaborate with CCBHC team members to support and educate family members on mental illness, treatment participation, and recovery support.
• Educate consumers and families on opioid-related risks, including cross-tolerance, overdose signs and symptoms, use of opioid antagonists, and when to seek emergency care.
• Work closely with the psychiatry team to ensure timely prescriptions, refills, and access to care, including walk-in services.
• Partner with nursing staff to assess physical health, coordinate care, and refer to community providers as needed.
• Direct and collaborate with nursing staff to develop, implement, and maintain psychopharmacological and medical treatment policies and procedures.
• Serve as liaison between FCS and hospitals/emergency facilities to coordinate inpatient admissions when necessary.

Documentation & Administrative Responsibilities

• Document consumer progress in the electronic health record on the same day of service, following established standards.