JOB PURPOSE OR MISSION: To provide direct care for patients under the direction of physicians while following established protocols and procedures for patient care standards and appropriate to the needs of the age population served, as defined in the department’s scope of service.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS include, but are not limited to:

1. Provides direct patient care under the direction of a physician.

PERFORMANCE STANDARDS:

• Evaluates outcomes, consults with other members of the health care team and adjusts the plan of care as indicated to ensure optimal patient care.
• Performs delegated medical interventions and procedures as necessary, according to established practice parameters.
• Writes initial and ongoing assessments and progress notes, writes orders and documents in the medical record utilizing protocols and appropriate consultation with physicians.
• Assists physicians with examinations and procedures related to direct patient care.
• Orders and provides interpretation of laboratory, respiratory, and radiology data for incorporation into the medical record.
• Demonstrates competent clinical skills and judgment when assisting in stabilization of the patient.

2. Develops and revises the plan of care based on assessment data.

PERFORMANCE STANDARDS:

• Assesses and evaluates the patients history.
• Accepts responsibility and accountability for development, coordination, implementation, evaluation and revision of the plan of care for the assigned patient.
• Actively participates in multidisciplinary team meetings collaborating with other team members in planning care.

3. Initiates action to provide teaching or information based upon identified patient needs and family/individual requests.

PERFORMANCE STANDARDS:

• Upon admission, collaborates with family regarding the hospitalization and continually assess their learning needs and requests and maintains professional communication with the family.
• Collaborates with all members of the care team to meet the learning needs of the patient and family.
• Conducts discharge planning with the family.

4. Uses internal and external resources to resolve and assist in managing customer problems.

PERFORMANCE STANDARDS:

• Promptly identifies specific resources relevant to the problem.
• Utilizes the QI process in problem resolution and pursues problems to resolution and refers them through the appropriate channels.
• Actively participates in QI and Quality Planning Processes.
• Serves as a liaison and resource person and is available to the staff and community for educational purposes.

• Performs all other duties as assigned.

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

SPECIAL SKILL, LICENSE AND KNOWLEDGE REQUIREMENTS

Current certification by the National Committee on Certification of Physician Assistants.

Current Louisiana licensure as a Physician Assistant

HIPAA REQUIREMENTS:

Maintains knowledge of and adherence to all applicable HIPAA regulations appropriate to Job Position including but not limited to: Medical records w/o limitation both paper and electronic, patient demographics, lab and radiology results, patient information related to surgery or appointment schedules, medical records related to quality/data, patient financial information, patients related complaints, information related to patient location, religious beliefs and/or public health records.

SAFETY REQUIREMENTS:

Maintains knowledge of and adherence to all applicable safety practices appropriate to Job Position including but not limited to: Incident reporting, handling of wastes, sharps and linen, PPE, exposure control plans, hand washing, environment of care, patient identification, administers/receives/collects meds/blood order or products, validates, transports, monitors or observes patients for procedures including infusion pumps, monitors clinical alarms for all ages.