Physician Assistant - Family

PRIMARY FUNCTIONS

Plans and directs care in the clinic and nursing home setting independently and in collaboration with Physicians and other health care professionals, providing primary health care to individuals and families that emphasize health promotion and disease intervention. This includes, but is not limited to, comprehensive assessment, ordering, conducting and interpreting diagnostic tests, prescribing pharmacologic agents and treatments and non-pharmacologic therapies, and performing procedures within the scope of expertise and organizational protocols.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Assessment

• Assesses patients in clinic setting through physical examination and comprehensive history taking.
• Assesses need for preventive health maintenance and screening based on age, presence of risk factors, and an understanding of principles of growth and development over the life span.
• Differentiates normal and abnormal physical and psychosocial findings and determines which require consultation and/or referral to Physician or other health care professionals.

2. Treatment Plan

• Determines diagnosis and develops a treatment plan.
• Orders appropriate diagnostic studies, reviews results of the tests, and discuss these results with the patient, family, and Physician as appropriate.
• Makes decisions and takes actions on behalf of patients that are guided by ethical standards, including maintaining confidentiality, and delivers care in a non-judgmental and non-discriminatory manner.
• Prescribes and administers medications or therapeutic devices in accordance with regulations.
• Evaluates progress of care and shows ability to reassess situation, and assists patient and family in setting care goals.

3. Patient Communication

• Counsels patients and families on health and medical issues to help them understand limitations and abilities.
• Communicates with the patient and others regarding roles in patient care, and makes referrals, including provisions for continuity of care as needed.
• Addresses calls and concerns from patients in a timely manner.

4. Patient Health Record and Billing

• Ensures documentation of all pertinent patient information meets organizational standards.
• Utilizes CPT and ICD-10 coding and codes appropriately.

5. Medical Staff and Community Relations

• Communicates effectively with the direction of the Physician allowing for the best patient care experience.
• Interacts regularly and positively with the Medical Staff.
• Demonstrates the ability to respond to emergency situations and prioritizes patient care needs.
• Acts as a resource person for decisions and planning regarding mid-level services in the clinic.
• Reads and discusses published research for application to practice and uses research findings in practice as appropriate.
• Interacts positively with other community agencies, and seeks out appropriate partnerships that would benefit the institution and its patients.

6. Quality

• Assists in assuring the establishment and maintenance of standards of care and standards of practice.
• Demonstrates knowledge of current Standards of Practice and applies them to daily practice.
• Evaluates the quality and effectiveness of patient care delivery and acts on findings, including making recommendations to Administration.
• Considers factors related to safety, effectiveness, and cost in planning and delivering patient care.
• Assures compliance with all applicable regulations and Joint Commission standards.

Independently plans and directs care in the clinic in collaboration with Physicians and other health care professionals, providing medical treatment for minor illnesses and injuries to individuals and families that emphasize health promotion and disease intervention. This includes, but is not limited to, multiple systems assessment, ordering, conducting and interpreting select diagnostic tests (x-ray, lab, etc.), prescribing pharmacologic agents and treatments and non-pharmacologic therapies, and performing procedures within the scope of expertise and organizational protocols.

PRIMARY FUNCTIONS

1. In keeping with Chapter 6 of the Iowa Nursing Practice Act for Registered Nurses, the ANA Scope and Standards of Practice for Nursing and the ANA Code of Ethics for Nursing, the professional nurse assumes responsibility and accountability for the delivery of nursing care at Waverly Health Center. The Registered Nurse is responsible for assessing, delegating, and coordinating nursing care based on the patient’s problem and needs, by initiating the nursing process in the everyday practice of nursing.
2. Utilizes substantial specialized judgment and skill in providing direct and indirect patient care, observation, and counsel to patients and family, and accepts responsibility for the total nursing care of assigned patients.
3. Communicates with providers, manager, and/or other healthcare team members about changes in patients’ clinical condition, including results of diagnostic studies and symptomatology.
4. Assists with the clinical development of other nursing department staff members by serving as both mentor and consultant.

IPERS (Iowa Public Employees' Retirement System),457 (b) retirement account, employee assistance program, health insurance, dental, vision, health care flex spending account, dependent care spending account, health savings account, continuing medical education, professional memberships and licensure, disability, earned time illness, onsite fitness, and wellness program. HRSA eligible loan forgiveness.

Independently plans and directs care in the clinic in collaboration with Physicians and other health care professionals, providing medical treatment for minor illnesses and injuries to individuals and families that emphasize health promotion and disease intervention. This includes, but is not limited to, multiple systems assessment, ordering, conducting and interpreting select diagnostic tests (x-ray, lab, etc.), prescribing pharmacologic agents and treatments and non-pharmacologic therapies, and performing procedures within the scope of expertise and organizational protocols.

IPERS (Iowa Public Employees' Retirement System),457 (b) retirement account, employee assistance program, health insurance, dental, vision, health care flex spending account, dependent care spending account, health savings account, continuing medical education, disability, earned time illness, onsite fitness, and wellness program. HRSA eligible loan forgiveness.