Physician Assistant

Definition: Under general supervision from the Primary Care Service Line Chief (or Primary Care Medical Director) and administrative direction by the Director of Health Services in the Health and Human Services Department provides preventive diagnostic and therapeutic health care services to members of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community (SRPMIC) and other qualified Native Americans in the health center walk-in clinic home or community settings as directed. This job class is treated as FLSA Exempt.

Essential Functions: Essential functions may vary among positions and may include the following tasks knowledge abilities skills and other characteristics. This list of tasks is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY and is not intended to be a comprehensive listing of tasks performed by all positions in this classification.

1. Provides diagnostic preventive and therapeutic health services to patients and family members in the clinic walk-in clinic home or community settings as directed.

2. Obtain health history from each patient.

• Conducts health intake questionnaires performs physical examinations and orders necessary laboratory tests as needed.
• Physical exams may include: Evaluation of the body and its functions using inspection palpation percussion auscultation collection of specimens for laboratory examination.
• Carefully documents history all findings treatments and education provided in accordance with current medical practice standards.

• Diagnoses and treats illnesses within current professional standards for Physician Assistants conferring with Physicians and specialists as needed.
• Initiates actions for further tests and procedures as needed.

• Observes appropriate medical practices applied to stabilize chronically ill persons.
• Adjusts treatment within established standards of practice.
• Refers difficult or complicated cases to physicians or other health care providers as appropriate.
• Confers with and informs primary care physicians and specialists as needed to provide quality patient care.

• Instructs patients in the proper use of medications and possible side effects.
• Dispenses non-prescription medicines and other items as needed.
• Monitors medication administration for reactions and side effects in accordance with pharmaceutical information and medical history.

• Provides emergency services or crises intervention in the absence of the Physician to stabilize the patient for transport.
• Ensures appropriate arrangements are made within emergency treatment guidelines.

• May delegate appropriate components of nursing regimen and clerical regimen to allied personnel to improve clinic operation.

• Attends and participates in staff meetings and staff in-service education.
• Participates in and conducts studies relevant to health care needs of patients.
• May serve in a teaching capacity in the development of other health care workers.

• Knowledge of history and culture of the Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community and Tribal laws rules customs and traditions.
• Knowledge of diagnostic preventive and therapeutic procedures in a community health program.
• Knowledge of physiology pharmacology and medical treatment methods and techniques.
• Knowledge of medical and health service resources available to the Community.
• Knowledge of pharmaceuticals in order to recognize their desired effects side effects and complications of their ruse.
• Knowledge of human behavior during stressful situations in order to exercise emotional control tact patience and reliability in carrying out patient care.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of family health care particularly as it applies to the Physician Assistant profession.
• Knowledge of availability and use of resources designated as primary care and referral services.
• Knowledge of resources within and outside the Community that may be utilized for patient treatment.
• Knowledge of general policies procedures and standards followed in the Clinic and within Health and Human Services.
• Knowledge of quality assurance and evaluation process to improve patient care and facilitate monitoring and program planning.
• Knowledge of health record aspects of patient care and ability to accurately and completely document related clinical data.

• Skill providing one-to-one patient care in the most appropriate setting.
• Skill writing reports and maintaining accurate records following standard procedures.
• Skill evaluating operations and programs to determine if they meet the Communitys needs and established health care standards.
• Skill establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with patients and their families resource agencies Tribal officials subordinates coworkers management personnel from other health providers and the public.
• Skill in use of the electronic health record and knowledge of current ICD-10 coding standards

• Ability to analyze and react to emergency situations quickly calmly and correctly to adopt effective courses of action giving due regard to surrounding hazards and circumstances.
• Ability to collect organize record and communicate in a meaningful way data relevant to primary health assessments including detailed family and medical history physical examination and selective laboratory tests.
• Ability to perform special screening and developmental tests and selected laboratory services.
• Ability to provide individual and family counseling guidance and health instructions to help patients understand how to prevent disease and maintain good physical and mental health.

• Education: Graduate from a Physician Assistant educational program accredited by a nationally recognized accreditation organization (e.g. ARC-PA) and approved by the Arizona Regulatory Board of Physician Assistants.
• Certification Exam: Must pass a nationally recognized certifying examination for Physician Assistants (such as the NCCPA PANCE) as approved by the Board.
• Licensure: Must hold and maintain current Arizona licensure as a Physician Assistant at time of hire. Must be physically and mentally able to safely perform health care tasks as a PA. Must have no disqualifying disciplinary actions or conduct issues as outlined by the Arizona Regulatory Board of Physician Assistants. Must submit verification of hospital affiliations and employment for 5 years prior to application or since graduation and provide credential verification from primary sources as required.
• Prescription Authority: Eligible for and maintain prescriptive privileges in the State of Arizona including independent DEA registration if required by scope of duties.

• May be required to work beyond normal business hours including irregular hours nights weekends and holidays. May be required to take call. Must have reliable transportation.
• Employees in and applicants applying for jobs providing direct services to children are subject to the Community Code of Ordinances Chapter 11 Minors Article X. Investigation of Persons Working With Children.