The Physician Assistant is a Mid-Level provider (adult, family, pediatric or psychiatry) who provides quality primary health care services to special populations, emphasizing the promotion of health and the prevention of disease. The role of the Physician Assistant is a response to society’s demand for accountable, accessible and affordable health care. The mid-level provider practices interdependently by collaborating with a designated licensed physician serving as the primary supervising physician.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Facilitates entry of the patient into the healthcare system by assessing the primary healthcare needs including eliciting comprehensive health histories, performing physical exams, ordering and/or performing pertinent diagnostic tests, analyzing collected data to determine patient health status and formulating a problem list
• Provides coordinated and continuous primary health care to patients that span the health continuum by mutual goal setting and planning delivery of care
• Prescribes a variety of treatment modalities to meet the health and illness needs of patients
• Provides health teaching and counseling to patients and families that promotes a therapeutic and caring relationship
• Manages and evaluates the plan of care process and outcome and then modifies the plan as needed to meet the patient at their level of comprehension
• Collaborates with other multi-disciplinary professionals and community agencies to provide high quality care; Coordinates services in conjunction with other team members to meet patients primary health care needs and to ensure the continuity of care; assumes clinical duties as needed to ensure access to services after hours and on weekends
• Participates in quality assurance activities through protocol development and collaborative peer review by: assisting in practice protocol development and identifying indicators for quality care; implements recommended changes and/or improvements to care standards
• Assumes the responsibility for professional development and contributes to the professional growth of others by: developing in depth knowledge of health center operations, policies and procedures
• Assumes the responsibility for maintaining competence in clinical practice by: engaging in a mentor relationship with a designated supervising physician and maintaining a patient case load to enhance continuity of care and meet HHC’s productivity standards; participating in appropriate educational activities in order to maintain and increase competence
• Practices within the legal and ethical guidelines established by the American Medical Association, the State of Illinois Department of Professional Regulation and the 1987 Physician Assistant Practice Act and Specialty Standards of Practice
• Documents comprehensive, accurate and continual data on patient records and program reports using an electronic health record and in accordance with the established time guidelines

Qualifications:

• Education and/or Experience: Completion of an accredited Physician Assistant Program; Physician Assistant licensure and at least one year of PA experience.
• Other Qualifications: Additional documented clinical experience, education or certification in a related field may be required. Documented experience as a consultant on special populations to healthcare providers and community agencies may be required.
• Language Skills: Fluency in Spanish and/or other languages is preferred and highly desired.