Physician Assistant/Nurse Practitioner (Orthopedics)

Description

Tanner Clinic has an immediate opening for a Physicians Assistant or a Nurse Practitioner in Orthopedics.

Essential Job Responsibilities

• Conducts physical exams, assesses health status, orders and interprets tests, prescribes medications, and treats illnesses including giving injections and suturing wounds.
• Consults with physicians as needed and refers to physicians for more complicated medical cases or cases that are not a routine part of a PA’s scope of work.
• Monitors therapies and provides continuity of care.
• Triages patient calls and evaluates patient problems. Responds to emergencies including use of CPR.
• Counsels patient/family on preventive health care.
• Documents patient information and care in medical record and may maintain department statistical database for research purposes.
• Obtains complete medical history and physical data on patients
• Reviews patient records, interprets and integrates data to determine appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic procedures needed in conjunction with the physician or under the direction of a physician
• Dictates history and physicals for all hospitalized admissions
• Interviews and advises patients regarding health and illness prevention; instructs patient and family regarding medications and treatment instructions
• Provides patient education
• Triages patient telephone calls and provides consultation
• Performs independent evaluations and treatment procedures in emergency situations
• Writes and refills prescriptions (this is dependent on state laws and the PA’s scope of practice)
• Other duties as assigned
  
  

Requirements

Education:

Nurse Practitioner Education

• BSN required, MSN preferred; successful completion of advanced practitioner training and certification as a practitioner (general or specialized) from an approved nurse practitioner program.
• Minimum three years of professional nursing experience in a clinic setting, plus two years of nurse practitioner experience.
  
  

Physician Assistant Education

• Bachelor’s degree and successful completion of accredited physician assistant program.
• Four years of health care experience prior to applying to PA program, plus one year of experience as PA, preferably in clinic setting.
  
  

Experience

Nurse Practitioner Experience:

• Minimum three years of professional nursing experience in a clinic setting, plus two years of nurse practitioner experience.
  
  

Physician Assistant Experience

• Four years of health care experience prior to applying to PA program, plus one year of experience as PA, preferably in clinic setting.
  
  

Other Requirements

Nurse Practitioner Requirements:

• Current state registered nurse license. Current state license as an advanced registered nurse practitioner with prescriptive authority.
  
  

Physician Assistant Requirements

• National certification from the National Commission on Certification of PA; state PA license also required.
• Current CPR certificate required.
  
  

Knowledge

Performance Requirements:

• Knowledge of medical model and roles of physicians and physician assistants. Familiar with anatomy, pharmacology, pathophysiology, clinical medicine, and physical diagnosis.
• Knowledge of patient assessment techniques including taking medical histories, performing physicals, evaluating health status including state of wellness, and compliance with care recommendations.
• Knowledge of diagnosing and treating medical problems and developing care plans.
• Knowledge of documentation in medical records in confidential manner.
  
  

Skills

• Skill in gathering and analyzing physiological, socioeconomic, and emotional patient data.
• Skill in accurately evaluating patient problems in person or via phone and providing appropriate advice, intervention, or referral.
• Skill in developing/revising patient care plan based on patient status.
  
  

Abilities

• Ability to make responsible decisions within scope of PA practice.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with physicians on complicated cases.
• Ability to educate patients, families, and staff in user-friendly manner.
• Ability to demonstrate eye–hand coordination, full range of motion, and manual dexterity.
  
  

Equipment Operated: Medical instruments required for physical exams and minor surgery and computer hardware/software.

Work Environment: Medical office and exam room settings. Frequent exposure to communicable diseases, biohazards, and other conditions common to clinic. Frequent contact with variety of people.

Mental/Physical Requirements: Involves standing, sitting, walking, bending, stooping, and twisting. May be required to help to transfer patient. High level of responsibility and heavy workload can generate stress.