Physician Assistant I (Specialty) – Ortho Clinic

The Physician Assistant (PA) I Specialty is a licensed health professional who practices medicine with the supervision of a physician as a surgical assist. The PA I Specialty has less than three years of experience as a PA. The PA I Specialty is involved in coordination of care, participates in education, and is closely engaged in clinical practice and patient care management. The PA I Specialty will function as a member our professional team by communicating, planning, and implementing care directly and with other healthcare professionals, including but not limited to physicians, pharmacists, office support staff, and other advanced practice providers. Duties may include obtaining patient health histories and complete physical examinations, documenting findings noting pertinent normal and abnormal findings, ordering and interpreting appropriate diagnostic and laboratory tests, counseling patients on preventative care, and ordering medications. The PA I Specialty may also be required to perform approved therapeutic or diagnostic procedures based upon patient’s clinical status and document patient preparation and response to procedure(s). The Physician Assistant Practice Agreement will govern PA practice. The PA role includes abiding by rules and regulations of medical staff and PA certifying and regulating bodies. The Physician Assistant (PA) I is a licensed health professional who practices medicine with the supervision of a physician. The PA I has less than three years of experience as a PA. The PA I is involved in coordination of care, participates in education, and is closely engaged in clinical practice and patient care management. The PA I will function as a member our professional team by communicating, planning, and implementing care directly and with other healthcare professionals, including but not limited to physicians, pharmacists, office support staff, and other advanced practice providers. Duties may include obtaining patient health histories and complete physical examinations, documenting findings noting pertinent normal and abnormal findings, ordering and interpreting appropriate diagnostic and laboratory tests, counseling patients on preventative care, and ordering medications. The PA I may also be required to perform approved therapeutic or diagnostic procedures based upon patient’s clinical status and document patient preparation and response to procedure(s). The Physician Assistant Practice Agreement will govern PA practice. The PA role includes abiding by rules and regulations of medical staff and PA certifying and regulating bodies.

Essential Duties:

• Assist surgeon during surgical procedure. Perform first assistant surgical duties, including tissue retraction and suturing. May perform additional surgical duties/procedures based off specialty training and privileges approved by medical staff (Accounts for at least 50% of Job Accountability)
• Obtains detailed and accurate medical histories from patients; Performs appropriate physical examinations, delineates problems, and records the information.
• Develops and implements patient management plans, including the coordination of referrals to specialty and social services, the recording of progress notes and the provision of continuity of care
• Orders appropriate laboratory, diagnostic and radiographic studies along with indicated procedures. Orders therapies to include PT, OT, ST and Respiratory. Orders medications and consultations with other services and medications.
• Performs and / or interprets common laboratory, radiological, cardio graphic and other routine diagnostic procedures used to identify pathophysiological processes.
• May perform procedures based off privileges approved by medical staff
• Helps with care coordination of the patient with the rest of the team.
• Provides continuity of care in the management of complex illnesses and injuries under the supervision of a physician.
• Instructs and counsels patients regarding compliance with prescribed therapeutic regimens, emotional problems of daily living, and health maintenance, especially in the postoperative period; this might also include members of the patient’s family in certain circumstances.
• Facilitates the referral of patients to other health and social service agencies when appropriate.
• Ensures billing for services rendered is completed and accurate.
• Performs other duties as assigned

Required Qualifications:

• Req Specialized/technical training Graduate from an accredited Physician Assistant Program.
• Req Bachelor’s degree Degree in a related field

• Req Surgical Fellowship completed.

• Req Committed to excellence in patient care and customer service.
• Req Demonstrates ability to effectively work with physicians, staff, and patients.
• Req Organization/time management skills.
• Req Excellent analytical, problem-solving, planning and evaluation skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Pref 0 – 3 years’ experience in an ambulatory care setting.
• Pref Experience with surgical consults and H&Ps.

Required Licenses/Certifications:

• Req Physician Assistant – PA (CA DCA)
• Req Basic Life Support (BLS) Healthcare Provider from American Heart Association
• Req Fire Life Safety Training (LA City) If no card upon hire, one must be obtained within 30 days of hire and maintained by renewal before expiration date. (Required within LA City only)
• Req Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) Healthcare Provider from American Heart Association
• Req National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) Required
• Req Drug Enforcement Administration Current Controlled Substance Course Certificate or obtain within 3 months of hire Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) Certificate issued by the US Department of Justice for Schedule II-V controlled substances.

The annual base salary range for this position is $133,120.00 – $219,648.00. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.