Full Job Description
The Physician Assistant (PA) provides diagnostic and therapeutic services to patients in collaboration with a licensed physician within the scope of practice of the collaborating Emergency Medicine (EM) physician and in compliance with the Illinois Physician Assistant Practice Act. Performs a variety of specialized and professional PA duties requiring knowledge of emergency patient assessment and management. Work shifts will rotate through all areas of the Emergency Department (ED) including the Virtual Care setting. PA’s are expected to provide equivalent patient coverage to junior emergency medicine residents. PA’s will provide medical care virtually according to Cook County Health (CCH) medical policy and best practices. Provides evaluation, management, and appropriate referral through live video visits utilizing CCH virtual care platform.
Typical Duties
- Evaluates and treats undifferentiated patients in the ED and the Virtual Care setting.
- Works in all areas of the ED including the Virtual Care setting under the supervision of the EM physician.
- Performs appropriate and accurate emergency medicine specific history and physical examinations, initiates treatment plans including laboratory and radiograph ordering, reviewing the findings with the physician and completing treatment of the patient.
- Performs appropriate emergency procedures including applying splints, suturing, slit lamp ophthalmologic examination, incision and drainage of simple abscesses, basic wound care, joint arthrocentesis, veno-puncture, arterial blood gases, lumbar punctures, dislocation reduction and other procedures indicated or delegated by the EM physician.
- Works closely with medical and PA students rotating through the ED.
- Presents Morbidity + Mortality cases when requested by attending physician.
- Learns how to perform limited ED ultrasounds and may become credentialed as a Level III ultrasonographer.
- Works eight (8), ten (10) and twelve (12) hours shirts in the ED and ED Virtual Care setting. Clinical hours will be day, evening and night shifts on weekdays and weekends.
- Participates in research and quality improvement studies applicable to the ED as approved by the Chair of Division Chair.
- Obtains appropriate and accurate virtual patient specific history and physical examinations, initiates treatment plans, including laboratory and radiographic ordering. Provides appropriate interpretation of results and proper discharge planning.
- Charts patient visits, in detail immediately following an appointment, Ensures all documentation is accurate and readily available for escalation of care, when necessary.
- Performs patient abnormal laboratory and call backs, as well as administrative tasks as assigned.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Graduate of an Accreditation Review Commission (ARC) Physician Assistant program or have the ability to obtain license prior to starting employment
- Valid Illinois State License as a Physician Assistant in Medicine or ability to obtain license prior to hire.
- Board Certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) OR have the ability to obtain license prior to starting employment.
- Valid Illinois Controlled Substances License (ILCS) OR have the ability to obtain license prior to starting employment.
- Valid licensure with the Federal DEA OR the ability to obtain license prior to starting employment.
- Must be able to demonstrate the following techniques:
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o Interpret ECGs independently and immediately identify life threatening changes
o Interpret Radiographs independently
o Management of fractures and dislocations with application of appropriate splint
o Wound care management including suturing
o Incision and drainage of abscesses
o Gynecologic examination
o Veno-puncture and arterial puncture
o Assessment/ management of trauma patients
Preferred Qualifications
- One (1) year of Emergency Medicine experience as a Physician Assistant
- One (1) year of Emergency Medicine experience as a Emergency Fellow as part of a Physician Assistant training program
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other Characteristics
- Knowledge of proper hand hygiene and hand washing techniques
- Knowledge of infectious control policies and procedures
- Thorough knowledge of Physician Assistant practices and principles and the ability to apply them in a clinical setting.
- Excellent Physician Assistant clinical and technical skills
- Knowledge and skill to perform mathematical accuracy in measuring and dispensing medication
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills necessary to communicate with all levels of staff and a patient population composed of diverse cultures and age groups
- Strong customer service and empathy skills
- Demonstrates good computer and typing skills
- Demonstrate good phone and email etiquette skills with strong response times
- Demonstrate analytical and organizational, problem-solving, critical thinking, and conflict management/resolution skills
- Demonstrate attention to detail, accuracy and precision
- Ability to effectively communicate while maintaining HIPAA for PHI
- Ability to multi-task and meet deadlines in a fast paced and stressful environment
- Ability to adhere to department policies and standards utilizing best practices
- Ability to maintain a professional demeanor and composure when challenged
- Ability to function autonomously and as part of a multidisciplinary team
- Ability to see and hear clearly (including with correction)
- Ability to tolerate exposure to unpleasant noise, odor and temperature
BENEFITS PACKAGE
- Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage
- Basic Term Life Insurance
- Pension Plan
- Deferred Compensation Program
- Paid Holidays, Vacation, and Sick Time
- You may also qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)
For further information on our excellent benefits package, please click on the following link: http://www.cookcountyrisk.com/
VETERAN PREFERENCE
PLEASE READ
When applying for employment with the Cook County Health & Hospitals System, preference is given to honorably discharged Veterans who have served in the Armed Forces of the United States for not less than 6 months of continuous service
To take advantage of this preference a Veteran must:
- Meet the minimum qualifications for the position.
- Identify self as a Veteran on the employment application by answering yes to the question by answering yes to the question, “Are you a Military Veteran?”
- Attach a copy of their DD 214, DD 215 or NGB 22 (Notice of Separation at time of application filing. Please note: If you have multiple DD214s, 215s, or NGB 22S, Please submit the one with the latest date. Coast Guard must submit a certified copy of the military separation from either the Department of Transportation (Before 9/11) or the Department of Homeland Security (After 9/11). Discharge papers must list and Honorable Discharge Status. Discharge papers not listing an Honorable Discharge Status are not acceptable
OR
A copy of a valid State ID Card or Driver’s License which identifies the holder of the ID as a Veteran, may also be attached to the application at time of filing.
If items are not attached, you will not be eligible for Veteran Preference
VETERANS MUST PROVIDE ORIGINAL APPLICABLE DISCHARGE PAPERS OR APPLICABLE STATE ID CARD OR DRIVER’S LICENSE AT TIME OF INTERVIEW.
MUST MEET ALL REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AT TIME OF APPLICATION FILING.
***Degrees awarded outside of the United States with the exception of those awarded in one of the United States’ territories and Canada must be credentialed by an approved U.S. credential evaluation service belonging to the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or the Association of International Credential Evaluators (AICE). Original credentialing documents must be presented at time of interview.***
***Must successfully meet the credentialing standards established by the Cook County Health and Hospitals System to include a State of Illinois MD license and any other license, certification, or specialized training, etc. no later than two (2) weeks prior to the candidate’s start date.***
- Please note all offers of Employment are contingent upon the following conditions: satisfactory professional & employment references, healthcare and criminal background checks, appropriate licensure/certifications and the successful completion of a physical and pre-employment drug screen.
- CCHHS is strictly prohibited from conditioning, basing or knowingly prejudicing or affecting any term or aspect of County employment or hiring upon or because of any political reason or factor.
COOK COUNTY HEALTH AND HOSPITAL SYSTEMS IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
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