Job Details

We’re hiring! Orthopaedic Associates is looking for an energetic, self-motivated, and talented PA who enjoys a fast-paced, dynamic practice. This person will be working with one of Houston’s premier orthopaedic surgeons taking care of a large patient base. At Orthopaedic Associates, the Physician Assistant (PA) functions as an advanced practice practitioner. PAs maintain and promote the health of our patients, practicing medicine under the supervision of a licensed, Board Certified Orthopaedic Surgeon. Our PAs provide diagnostic, therapeutic, surgical and preventative care, under the supervision of a physician. The PA examines, diagnoses, and helps formulate treatment plans for patients. PA functions include obtaining patient histories, performing physical exams, analyzing and interpreting x-rays, diagnostic imaging and lab results, writing prescriptions, ordering various forms of therapy, providing surgical assistance, performing surgical and interventional procedures, and performing wound closures. Our PAs work in both inpatient and outpatient settings, and can perform independently under the license of a physician or as part of a treatment team.

PRIMARY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES. Job responsibilities labeled EF capture those duties that are essential functions of the job.

PEOPLE - 25%

• Demonstrates leadership as a clinical resource, inter-professional consultant, and patient advocate. Participates in rounding independently or with physicians/surgeons and attends interdisciplinary rounds, as appropriate, by specialty. (EF)

• Collaborates to foster healthy relationships in the work environment. Acts as a role model and coaches staff in effective verbal, non-verbal and written communication. May serve as first call for hospital staff. Serves as preceptor for Physician Assistant students and medical residents, as appropriate (EF)

• Communicates organizational information and aspects of administrative and clinical practice in a respectful and positive manner when interacting with staff. Advocates for a balanced workload, promotes positive behaviors, and peer-to-peer accountability. Facilitates the promotion of teamwork. (EF)

• Collaborates with inter-professional health care team members to manage/coordinate patient care. Advocates on patient/family's behalf to identify and resolve clinical and ethical concerns. (EF)

SERVICE - 20%

• Coordinates appropriate, timely patient care between health care providers and other ancillary clinicians, as appropriate, under a physician license, for a defined patient population(s), focusing on identified expected unit/optimal outcomes, individualized to the patient. (EF)

• Collaborates quality health care with inter-professional team members to manage/coordinate patient care. (EF)

• Responds and is available timely to patient questions/issues that arise as triaged by clinical staff and provides assistance for emergencies, as needed. (EF)

QUALITY/SAFETY - 30 %

• Performs independent or delegated functions under physician license, such as diagnosis, use of prescriptive authority, and treatment according to practice guidelines, protocols, and/or standing orders. (EF)

• Reviews medications and test reports on patients, responds to critical test results, and advises on any corrective action based on the results. (EF)

• Conducts comprehensive health assessments (initial, ongoing, discharge), identifies normal/abnormal health characteristics, develops plan of care, initiates appropriate interventions, and evaluates care outcomes on defined patient populations. Performs quality and safe diagnostic, surgical and/or therapeutic procedures necessary for defined patient populations. (EF)

• Assists the inter-professional health care team in the development and implementation of protocols to ensure patient safety. (EF)

FINANCE - 15%

• Performs accurate and timely documentation in medical records, including diagnosis and CPT coding. (EF)

• Implements department strategies to achieve financial target and mentors others to do the same through timely documentation of care, decreasing length of stay, optimizing efficiency, and other areas according to department specifications. Projects awareness and understanding of resource allocation based on patient needs and staff experience, knowledge, and skills. (EF)

GROWTH/INNOVATION - 10 %

• Leads and identifies opportunities for practice changes and process improvement. (EF)

• Fosters identification and implementation of innovative solutions to improve patient care or department operations such as the organization's quality metrics or other department-specific measures by leading and/or participating in department and/or hospital projects/activities or a hospital committee. (EF) This job description is not intended to be all inclusive; the employee will also perform other reasonably related business/job duties as assigned. Orthopaedic Associates reserves the right to revise job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor's degree

• Graduate from accredited Physician Assistant program by National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA)

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• One year of clinical and surgical experience preferred