Summary

The Philadelphia VA Medical Center is currently recruiting for two full-time Physician Assistants to work in the Orthopedic Section of the Surgical Service.

Duties

• VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package
• The Physician Assistant - is assigned to the Orthopedic Section of the Surgical Service
• Approximately 50% of the incumbent's time will be spent coordinating orthopedic referrals with other VA departments including Primary Care
• The remaining 50% of the incumbent's time is in direct support of the VA Orthopedic staff surgeons in all aspects of coordinating and delivering orthopedic care
• The Physician Assistant will play a critical role in the VISN 4 Eastern Market surgical integration
• This position may be required to travel to other facilities within Pennsylvania - New Jersey and Delaware to support and care for our VeteransThe duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to:Clinical Practice: Performing initial histories and physical examinations
• Providing and coordinating comprehensive care for assigned patients in any care setting
• Screening outpatients to determine the need for further health care
• Ordering diagnostic studies such as laboratory tests - X-rays - electrocardiograms (EKGs) specified in the PA's scope of practice
• Carrying out health promotion and disease prevention activities including education and shared decision-making
• Drawing blood specimens or obtaining other specimens for laboratory testing as needed
• Initiating and expediting requests for consultations and scheduling special tests and studies
• Writing orders and prescriptions - as necessary - for the care of the patient in accordance with Federal and State law
• Making daily rounds to observe and record patient's medical progress - updating and summarizing medical records - changing orders when appropriate (as permitted in the SOP) - and notifying the responsible physician of significant changes in the patient's condition
• Documenting progress notes and summaries in the patient's medical record
• The PA may be delegated the task of documenting the discharge summary
• (With attending co-signature) Obtaining consent and documenting procedures performed for which the PA is responsible
• Providing education and counseling of patients and families in preventive care - medical conditions - and the use of prescribed treatments and drugs
• Screening consults - working with the HAS schedulers to ensure that patients are seen on a timely basis
• Completing pre-op clearances an otherwise facilitating smooth pt
• flow to the operating room
• Specialized Duties: Serves as a point of contact for orthopedic referrals and consults which may originate in any service of the medical center - but in particular primary care
• Collaborates with the staff of other departments and the care team to coordinate care plans
• Collaborates with the Primary care to coordinate fee care referrals with non-VA providers of orthopedic care
• Typically these will be for office visits - or for surgical care
• Provides technical (nonmedical) support to the Chief of the Emergency on referring patients to external providers of orthopedic care
• Coordinates the flow of medical records between the VA and FEE care provider
• Prepares special reports on fee referrals - and orthopedic workload for the executive leadership of the medical center
• Supports pre-op - intra-op and post-op work-up and care of patients at the request of the Chief - Orthopedic surgery
• Emergency Duties: Emergency duties are those carried out for patients in life-threatening situations where a physician is not immediately available
• The PA initiates these activities and makes every effort to summon a physician as soon as possible
• Examples of emergency duties include: Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and defibrillation
• Treatment of acute respiratory failure
• Treatment of life threatening traumatic injuries
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 8:00am - 4:30pm
• On-call - weekends - and holidays may be required depending on the needs of the Veterans serviced.