Physician Assistant (Orthopedics)

Serves as an Orthopedic Physician Assistant (PA) in the Department of Orthopedics, Orthopedic Surgery Service, Multispecialty Trauma Clinic and Orthopedic Acute Care Clinic, Brooke Army Medical Center, (BAMC). The Orthopedic Services directly impacts the Command’s mission of a level 1 Trauma Center and initiatives to support civilian medical/surgical emergency treatment. Serves as a subject- matter expert on Orthopedic Trauma and Musculoskeletal illness and diseases, diagnosis and treatment. BAMC is a Trauma I medical treatment facility that provides the highest level of surgical care to trauma patients. The facility also includes an education program; preventive and outreach programs; coverage by general surgeons and prompt availability of care in varying specialties-such as orthopedic surgery, neurosurgery, plastic surgery, anesthesiology, emergency medicine, radiology, internal medicine, oral and maxillofacial surgery, and critical care that are needed to adequately respond and care for various forms of trauma that a patient may suffer. Additionally, the center has a research program and is a referral resource for communities in nearby regions. 1. The Multispecialty Trauma Clinic / Orthopedic Acute Care Clinic are 24 hour operations. Incumbents will Staff the Orthopedic Acute Care Clinic on rotating shifts providing advanced and complex multidisciplinary Orthopedic treatment to injured active duty soldiers, reserve soldiers, military beneficiaries and civilian trauma patients. Incumbents are subject- matter experts on musculoskeletal illness and disease process diagnosis and treatment. Serves as an physician assistant on the Multispecialty Trauma team and Orthopedic Surgery Service in the capacity of a credentialed physician assistant to provide diagnosis, acute life and limb saving interventions, therapeutic decisions and management of complex musculoskeletal patients with acute and chronic injuries under the direction of a board eligible or certified Orthopedic Surgeon. Serves as a subspecialist consultant to other departments, services, and health-care providers for a variety of diseases and conditions marked by acute injuries and chronic diseases resulting in musculoskeletal impairment. Recognizes complicated cases and emergency medical problems and manages these or consults a higher level medical specialist for diagnosis and treatment. Incumbent practices in the hospital setting, the clinic and the operating room assisting with routine and emergency cases affecting Wounded Warriors and trauma patients. Maintains Advanced Cardiac Life support and Basic Life Support (BLS). Interprets and correlates radiologic, laboratory and diagnostic procedures. Interprets and correlates subjective and objective data to formulate a differential diagnosis and establish a working diagnosis. Formulates treatment plans for complex pathophysiology and chronic illness within the scope of practice and as such is the subject matter expert on musculoskeletal illness and disease process diagnosis. As the only Level-1 Trauma Center in the DoD, Ortho PAs in SAMMC’s Multispecialty Trauma Clinic / Orthopedic Acute Care Clinic are required to provide their expertise and knowledge regarding the current patient referral guidelines and through their research and proven theories make updates and changes for referral to MSK sub-specialty care. Implements therapeutic interventions for specific conditions when appropriate. Exercises judgment on problems requiring consultations, referrals, or evaluations by the supervising surgeon. Orthopedic Physician Assistant independently performs complex specialty procedures such as but not limited to, digital blocks, regional anesthesia, and minor outpatient surgical procedures to include wound closure, wound management, wound debridement, incision and drainage, and needle biopsy. Performs diagnostic and therapeutic procedures such as but not limited to joint and bursa aspiration, closed reduction of fractures and dislocations, injections of joints tendons, trigger point and bursa, as well as brace, cast and splint applications. The Ortho Acute Care PA may be required to assist in surgery under the complete supervision and direction of the Orthopedic Surgeon in trauma situations. The Orthopedic PA collects, and performs appropriate radiologic, laboratory or diagnostic procedures and studies including, but not limited to, blood and tissue specimens. Performs diagnostic studies and procedures such as, but not limited to, electromyography, compartment pressure measurements including, special x-ray examinations, CT, MRI, ultrasound, nuclear medicine, and physical medicine. Based on scope of practice independently formulates treatment plans for patients, writes or dictates history and physical as well as daily progress notes or other related documentation appropriately. The Orthopedic Physician Assistants educates internal staff, nurses, paraprofessional staff, patients and caregivers about medications and treatment regimens, their complex mechanisms of actions and potentially dangerous side effects. Incumbent must maintain accurate, legible, and complete records for all patients treated, given the complex nature of the patients medical and surgical therapies. Through research the PA has a mastery of the of developing and establishes new techniques criteria for improved, quality patient health care to clients and family members of San Antonio Military Medical Center ( SAMMC). Provides service to patients who have severe and minor Orthopedic issues requiring complex management. 2. Assists in education of surgical, primary care, emergency medicine and other house staff as well as ongoing research protocols. Serves as a liaison with case managers and other representatives in other groups caring for trauma patients and Wounded Warriors, as well as assisting in the development of guidelines, policies and procedures to improve patient care. PAs will be faculty in the US Army – Baylor Doctor of Science Physician Assistant (DScPA) program with the same SAUSHEC required requirements: 1 publication per year averaged over 3 years; 2 active research projected or extra-mural presentations; conference leader or hospital committee leadership; and contribute to the DOO military relevant scholarship. Makes independent decisions based on scope on patient dispositions and assists in transfer or admission of patients with physician supervisor. Refers patients with complex or unresolved conditions to supervising surgeon or subspecialty physician teams as applicable i.e. (Ortho Hand, Total Joint or Sports Medicine). Conducts consultations in person and over the phone with physicians, other physician assistants, or other health care providers, making recommendations and giving guidance for treatment options and providing links between the Orthopaedic Acute care, Multispecialty Trauma service, Orthopedic Surgery Service and other consulting services and primary teams. Attends all morning conferences, continuing medical education classes, in-services, and required short courses to maintain certification and license as a physician assistant. Researches and develops new techniques and methods of patient care. Supervises and assists in training paraprofessionals during their Orthopedics rotations. The Physician Assistant must maintain a rigorous continuing medical education curriculum, focused on the areas of orthopedics, physical medicine, neurology, neurosurgery, primary care and psychiatry. Performs other duties as assigned.