Physician Assistant

Under the direction of the Associate Administrator and Chief Nursing Officer (CNO), the Nurse Practitioner (NP) and Physician Assistant (PA) are responsible for assisting with inpatient medical management for those patients assigned by hospital administration in collaboration with the department of quality improvement and members of the medical staff. NP’s and PA’s will facilitate patient care management leading to efficient use of all health care providers to assure timeliness of treatment and management. She/he practices according to established protocols and delivers quality healthcare in collaboration with medical staff.

This position will be primarily working with critically ill through rehabilitating adolescent to geriatric patient population in a manner that demonstrates an understanding of the functional and/or developmental age of the individual served.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

SERVICE PERFORMANCE

• Greets/acknowledges customers warmly, with a smile, and immediately when they enter department/unit/area.
• Asks how the customer may be helped with interest and concern.
• Listens attentively, does not interrupt.
• Accepts ownership and takes action to resolve customer needs and/or concerns.
• Is attentive and responsive to the expectations of physicians, co-workers and direct reports.
• Is generous in acknowledging a job well done.
• Uses words and behaviors that express consideration, concern and respect.
• Facilitates and holds staff accountable for meeting department customer service standards in the performance of duties.
• Utilizes telephone skills effectively as outlined in the Star Service Program.
• Keeps all private information about staff or patients confidential.
• Meets or exceeds customer service improvement targets as demonstrated by dashboards, etc.

VALUE ADDED – INCREASES WORTH OF SERVICE TO MISSION COMMUNITY HOSPITAL

• Participates in marketing activities of the Hospital including but not limited to committees/task forces, speaking engagements, conducting tours, Hospital sponsored health fairs.
• Participates in staff recognition activities in ways that reward behaviors reflecting positively on Mission Community Hospital.
• Serves as an active participant in departmental, interdepartmental, multi-department or house-wide process improvement forums/task forces/committees.
• Offers and implements solutions to challenges/problems.
• Assists with development-related activities including fund raising programs & activities.
• Participates in departmental activities / projects and contributes recommendations and/or assists in implementing new or revised processes/procedures that improve work efficiency and/or enhanced service.
• Identifies, independently, departmental work to be done and/or coworkers needing assistance (beyond regular job responsibilities) and actively meets the need(s).
• Supports department efforts dedicated to business growth.
• Attends/participates in activities that contribute to professional growth and development in ways that enhances value to the organization.

LEADERSHIP

• Assists assigned staff and other patient care team members in completing care efficiently, effectively and safely.
• Utilizes and role models participant decision-making.
• Provides coaching and supervision when deficiencies are noted
• Is continuously aware of changing priorities and resource availability and proactively removes roadblocks and prevents problems.
• Utilizes competent interpersonal skills and conflict resolution technique.
• Role models and fosters high quality and continuous excellence in patient care.
• Conducts rounds with care team members to assess the care being given and that patient needs/expectations are met.
• Promotes an environment in which the patient care team is motivated to work cooperatively toward common outcomes.
• Collaborates with staff regarding physician notification.
• Role models and fosters compliance by patient care team members with hospital policies, procedures, standards of care, accreditation and regulatory standards.
• Maintains an efficient and cost effective, work environment.
• Precepts students, new hires, unit floats and registry personnel to promote a positive development and patient care experience for patients, the staff, and the unit.

PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT

• Identifies opportunities to improve department/unit care and/or service.
• Collaborates with the leadership in performance improvement activities.
• Identifies the process, barriers to outcomes and corrective action plans.
• Actively participates in the Hospital’s Performance Improvement activities by serving as a member of process improvement team.
• Supports and empowers employees to improve quality of care and/or service.
• Examines systems and processes and recommends, develops, implements and evaluates strategies for improvement.
• Facilitates communication between medical and nursing teams.
• Promotes timely and compassionate communication between families and healthcare team.
• Participates in multidisciplinary discharge rounds.
• Facilitates care based on best practice guidelines and practices based on evidence based medicine practices.

CLINICAL PRACTICE

• Works in conjunction with the medical staff and nursing to facilitate patient management through the healthcare system.
• Exercises independent judgment in the assessment, diagnosing and initiation of delegated medical processes or procedures as directed and approved by the medical staff.
• Performs and documents comprehensive health histories and physical assessments on assigned patients
• Performs episodic evaluation on other patients, to include initiation of CPR and ACLS or other appropriate emergency therapy as needed.
• Formulates diagnoses and identifies problems and health risk profiles of selected patients and documents and communicates this information to the appropriate members of the health care team.
• Delivers all patient information in a manner that adheres to the regulations and policies of HIPPA.
• Performs orders and interprets diagnostic studies, such as x-rays and laboratory tests, in consultation with the medical staff.
• Performs procedures within the scope of practice of the NP/PA as directed by the approved standardized procedures set forth by the medical staff.
• Orders medications, treatment and therapies in accordance with the California Prescriptive regulations.
• Requests consultation and initiates referrals to other healthcare providers.
• Evaluates and analyzes patient responses to the disease process or therapeutic or diagnostic interventions.
• Writes and dictates discharge summary, orders and coordinates plans for follow-up care.

CLINICAL PRACTICE (cont.)

• Manages patients in accordance with established Mission Hospital health system nursing and medical policies and procedures.
• Obtains necessary training prior to initial equipment and software use.
• Performs other tasks as assigned by the associate administrators, chief nursing officer and/or medical staff.

EDUCATION

• Educates patient and families regarding planned diagnostic procedures, medications, treatment and post-hospital care.
• Participates in the design and development of teaching materials for patients and families.
• Participates in activities that contribute to the education of other health care professionals.
• Serves as preceptor for undergraduate and graduate advanced practice nurses and physician assistants.
• Develops and presents educational programs to the medical and nursing staff.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Masters prepared Nurse Practitioner (NP) or Physician Assistant (PA).
• The incumbent must be a NP or PA who is licensed to practice in California.
• Special training and certification in acute care preferred.
• ACLS
• Acute care hospital experience preferred
• Must be eligible for a furnishing license or have a dispensing number.
• Must have personal malpractice insurance in the amounts established by the Medical Staff and approved by the Board of Directors.

Physical Demand Analysis

• Physical Requirements:

Ability to negotiate physical environment with safety

• Visual Requirements:

Ability to translate and understand written communications and negotiate physical environment with safety.

• Hearing Requirements:

Ability to understand and translate auditory communications with safety

• Working Conditions:

Office working conditions: Normal

Patient Care Areas: With safety precautions