Acute Care Provider

Job Summary 

Under the general direction and supervision of the Chief Medical Officer, the Acute Care Provider with licensure of MD, DO, NP, and PA is responsible for delivering a full range of primary care and episodic patient services consistent with the Scope of Practice allowed by the State of West Virginia. Serving as a frontline clinician for urgent and acute care needs within the community health center, this role supports a Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) model that emphasizes team-based, coordinated care.  

The provider participates as an active member of the clinical team, contributes to the development, implementation, and enforcement of clinical standards and protocols, and is committed to delivering high-quality, equitable care to diverse and underserved populations in a fast-paced healthcare environment. 

Unlike traditional primary care, your focus will be on the "right now”, managing acute illnesses, minor injuries, and urgent complications of chronic conditions. You will bridge the gap between routine office visits and the Emergency Room, ensuring our patients receive timely intervention regardless of their ability to pay. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities 

• Episodic Care Delivery: Works effectively with the Chief Medical Officer and support staff to provide high-quality medical care for walk-in, same-day, and acute-need patients. Unlike a traditional PCP, this provider focuses on episodic stabilization rather than long-term panel management.  

• Clinical Triage & Procedures: Based upon license and privileges, performs high-acuity outpatient procedures including, but not limited to: suturing/laceration repair, incision and drainage (I&D), splinting, and foreign body removal.  

• PCMH Integration (The "Warm Handoff"): Functions as a key member of the Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) model by ensuring a seamless transition of care. This includes documenting acute visits for the patient's assigned PCP and identifying unassigned patients for empanelment within the VHC network.  

• Acute-on-Chronic Stabilization: Manages acute exacerbations of chronic conditions (e.g., asthma flares, hypertensive urgency, or diabetic hyperglycemia) and provides immediate intervention before referring to the Emergency Department or the patient's primary provider for long-term management.  

• Diagnostic Efficiency: Orders and interprets point-of-care (POC) testing and diagnostic imaging to provide rapid clinical decision-making and patient disposition.  

• Resource Coordination: Works with VHC staff to screen for Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) that may impact the success of the acute treatment plan (e.g., pharmacy access, transportation, or housing).  

• Community Education: Participates in outreach and educational programs with a focus on appropriate healthcare utilization, helping patients understand when to seek acute care versus the emergency room.  

• Compliance & Continuity: Complies with clinical policies that ensure continuity of care, focusing on the immediate health needs of VHC patients while upholding the mission of being "Here for Good."  

• The Provider will manage same-day, open access, and walk-in patients, addressing immediate acute needs and stabilizing condition for transition back to their assigned Primary Care Provider (PCP). 

• Based upon license and privileges, provides a full range of services in the outpatient setting and assists in the referral of patients to other outside services when appropriate. 

• Cooperates with all provider staff in the conduct of a meaningful and productive peer review process, ensuring they meet all required quality measures and demonstrate improvements when needed. 

• Works with other VHC staff in effecting a comprehensive patient education process as part of an overall wellness approach to disease prevention. 

• Acute care will focus more on the 10 day approach rather than the PCP 10 yr approach so consider adding this and leaving the disease prevention. "Education focused on acute symptom management, medication adherence for the current illness, and warning signs requiring emergency intervention." 

• Promotes VHC and its services to the community in general, the medical community, and the many, and varied, constituents.  Involvement with appropriate local, state or national professional organizations is encouraged. 

• Assists the Chief Medical Officer and VHC executive staff wherever possible in pursuit of additional grant and funding opportunities consistent with the mission of VHC to expand the center’s capacity to meet the health needs of the community. 

• Comply with the established clinical policies and procedures that address established standards of medical care and ensure continuity of care that focuses on all the health care needs of VHC patients. 

• Provides excellent patient-centered customer service while being friendly and courteous to all employees and patients; can handle multiple tasks at once and can compassionately and empathetically care for patients. 

• Upholds the Code of Ethics and mission of Valley Health Care, Inc. by conducting professional activities with Valley Health Care’s values of integrity, teamwork, compassion, excellence, and Here for Good. 

• Examine patients for symptoms or physical information. 

• Elicits and records information about patients’ medical history. 

• Orders or executes various tests, analyses, and diagnostic images to provide information on patient's condition. Rapid interpretation of point-of-care (POC) testing (Strep, Flu, COVID, UA, Glucose) and immediate triage of potentially life-threatening conditions to higher levels of care (ER). 

• Analyzes reports and findings of tests, examination, and diagnoses condition of patients. 

• Administers or prescribes treatments and medications. 

• Promotes health by advising patients concerning diet, hygiene, and methods for prevention of disease. 

• Promotes vaccines for prevention of communicable diseases. 

• Performs procedures commensurate with surgical competency per licensure and privileges. 

• Refers patients to medical specialist for consultant services when necessary for patient's well-being 

• Refers patients to medical specialists or other practitioners for specialized treatment. 

• Conducts physical examinations to provide information needed for admission to school, consideration for jobs, or eligibility for insurance coverage. 

• Other duties may be assigned. 

Education and Experience 

• Must be duly licensed to practice in the State of West Virginia as a Provider (MD, DO, NP, PA). Additional experience is very desirable, particularly in a community health center setting. 

• Well-developed interpersonal skills as they relate to fellow VHC staff and patients, in particular the local medical community and public in general. 

• Must be, or able to be, certified in ACLS, and certification in ATLS and PALS is recommended. 

Preferred Qualifications 

The Provider shall be experienced in an acute care setting such as emergency medicine or high volume walk-in clinical settings. primary care medical services.  In addition, he/she must be able to demonstrate an understanding of the administrative aspects of clinic operations and have a thorough grasp of the many and varied collaborative relationships necessary to maintain effective continuity of care for all VHC patients. The successful candidate must have the interpersonal skills to establish and maintain effective relationships with professionals and patients at all levels and to assist the Chief Medical Officer in liaison with local, state, and federal agencies when appropriate.  The work environment is a typical medical practice clinic that requires highly competent medical skills and physical and mental ability to meet the needs of patients in both the outpatient and inpatient settings.  The position of Provider may be required to engage in some local, state, or out-of-state travel.  

Professional Standards 

• Leadership  

• Team building mentality is exemplified in all work done.  

• Positively influence and uplift members and other affiliates.  

• Employee Expectations  

• Follow all policies and procedures, including the Code of Conduct, which can be found in the Employee Handbook.  

• Follow the direction given by the supervisor to ensure site expectations are met.  

• Communication  

• Must be able to provide important and relevant site information in staff meetings and to members, co-workers, and supervisors.  

• Must be able to listen to co-workers and team members.  

• Must be able to present important and relevant site information to supervisors.  

• Must be able to write and compose clear, concise, accurate written documentation and data reports, as necessary. 

 Values 

Upholds the Code of Ethics and mission of Valley Health Care, Inc. by conducting professional activities with Valley Health Care’s values of integrity, teamwork, compassion, excellence, and Here for Good. 

Integrity 

We act openly and truthfully in everything we do. 

Teamwork 

 We work together to serve our patients. 

Excellence 

We create better ways of doing the things we do and provide the highest quality of care for each patient every time. 

Compassion 

We treat each other and our patients with concern, kindness, and respect. 

Here for Good       

We make decisions that will best serve our patients now and in the future. 

Understanding of Health Care Laws and Regulations 

Must have the ability to follow HIPAA guidelines as well as an understanding of policies and procedures regarding medical records put in place by the Federal Government, Medicaid, Medicare, and WV Behavioral Health Laws put forth by the WV Department of Health and Human Resources.  

Customer Service 

Must listen to the customer, understand the customer, do what needs to be done to meet the customer’s expectations, and take ownership for the customer experience. 

Computer Literacy 

Knowledge of basic computer software (MS Office – Word, Excel, and Outlook) and the willingness and ability to learn electronic medical records software.  

Reasoning Ability 

Must demonstrate the ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret various instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. 

Teamwork 

An essential element is the ability to work and interact effectively and positively with other staff members to build and enhance teamwork in the VHC organization; team engagement is necessary to be successful in this position.  

Work Record 

A demonstrated work record showing good attendance, punctuality, dependability, and the ability to collaborate well with supervisors and coworkers as part of a team effort is essential. A medical office setting is an environment that requires the ability to relate to all types of people while always maintaining a professional demeanor.  

Language Skills 

The ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals is essential. The ability to write routine reports and correspondence, and the ability to speak effectively to patients, co-workers and the public at large is crucial.  

Additional Skills 

Must be able to read and interpret medical and work environment related documents involving patient care, program descriptions, government regulations and VHC policy and procedures.  

Sensitivity to Needs of Special Populations 

Must be able to demonstrate an understanding and sensitivity to cultural differences and needs of VHC patients and be able to respond appropriately to all people regardless of race, ethnicity, language, age, sex or sexual orientation, religion, disability, economic standing, etc.  

Physical Demands 

The physical demands described here represent those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be required to drive, sit and stand for extended periods of time; handle papers, type and operate computer equipment; reach with hands and arms; talk in-person, on the telephone, and by electronic means; see and hear, and lift to twenty-five pounds.  

Work Environment 

Work is performed in a typical outpatient clinic environment and at locations outside the office. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.