Physician Assistant - Total Joint

POSITION SUMMARY:  

Works under the supervision of the physician in a clinical and/or surgical setting, provides high quality treatment and healthcare services, counsels patients, and provides assistance during surgery as needed. 

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Provide comprehensive patient care for both acute and chronic conditions by identifying immediate and long-term health issues, recommending treatment options, and implementing physician directives.
• Assist with surgical procedures as needed, ensuring patient safety and optimal care during operations.
• Assess patient health through detailed interviews, physical exams, and thorough review of medical histories.
• Perform pre- and post-operative patient care, including wound care, suturing, and monitoring recovery progress.
• Monitor therapies and prescribe appropriate medications based on patient needs.
• Order and interpret diagnostic tests to accurately determine patient conditions and inform treatment plans.
• Evaluate and triage patient concerns, providing timely and appropriate medical advice.
• Educate and counsel patients and families, offering clear instructions on care plans and treatment options.
• Conduct hospital rounds as needed to assess patient progress and coordinate care.
• Take on-call responsibilities, providing timely medical support and consultation as needed outside of regular hours.
• Ensure a safe and clean work environment by strictly adhering to established procedures, rules, and regulations.
• Protect patients and staff by following infection control policies and maintaining compliance with safety protocols.
• Stay informed on legal and professional requirements, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
• Continuously expand professional knowledge through ongoing education and apply new skills and knowledge to patient care.
• Maintain confidentiality of patient account information in accordance with HIPAA guidelines and NMOA policy
• Ensure regular and reliable attendance, contributing to team stability and consistent care delivery.
• Perform additional physician-related duties as assigned to meet patient care needs and operational requirements.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES: 

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential responsibility satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills and/or abilities required.

• Service Orientation: Ability to anticipate, recognize, and meet the needs of patients and their families.  
• Oral Communication:  Able to listen, provide direction, relay information in a professional manner that is appropriate to the audience and respond to questions.
• Attention to Detail:  Able to keep track of patients and activities and provide accurate and succinct charting and messages.
• Interpersonal Skills:  Conveys a warm, caring, and approachable demeanor.  Displays unconditional respect toward others.  Able to sense others feelings and perspectives.
• Team Work:  Works effectively with others to accomplish objectives and goals.  Offers assistance to others in need.
• Multi-tasking:  Able to properly perform multiple duties at once. 
• Resilience:  Effectively manages stress in a fast-paced setting.
• Procedures:  Demonstrates sufficient techniques in performing medical procedures.
• Ability to understand, read, write and speak English. 
• Ability to read, analyze and interpret medical information. 
• Ability to effectively present information, respond to questions and professionally interact with physicians, managers, employees, patients, vendors and the general public.
• Ability to recognize and define problems, collect data, establish facts, draw valid conclusions and correct errors.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions in a variety of forms and deal with abstract and concrete variables. 
• Exhibit a comprehensive understanding of healthcare regulatory and compliance policy (e.g., HIPAA). 
• Knowledge of New Mexico Orthopaedics policies and procedures. 
• Ability to identify and implement opportunities for improvement. 
• High integrity, including maintenance of confidential information. 
• Must be able to exercise good judgment and positively influence others, including handling confrontations with poise and efficiency. 
• Proficient computer skills required. 
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including some evenings and weekends.  

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

MS Physician Assistant. Orthopedic experience is preferred.

CERTIFICATIONS, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:

Graduate of AMA accredited physician assistant program and a current New Mexico PA license is required. A copy of the PA certification is required. Maintaining the certification is the PAs responsibility and all costs are reimbursed by the company upon completion.