SUMMARY

Provides services to the clients at the health center. Works as part of the clinic provider team performing a variety of direct patient services including assessment, diagnosis, implementation of treatment, evaluation, and monitoring the general patient management plan for clinic patients. Performs these functions in collaboration with a licensed physician. The Physician Extender is a member of the Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH) health care team. The provider directs the health care team to deliver care in a planned, efficient and organized manner.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Duties include, but are not limited to, the following:
• Obtains complete medical history from patient, and/or family, and/or previous medical record, etc.;
• Prescribes medications according to therapeutic goals, explains treatment to patients & families;
• Develop and assist patient and/or family therapeutic and educational plans to promote satisfactory patient outcomes;
• Teaches and counsels individuals & families to assume responsibility for prevention of illness and for the promotion, maintenance, and restoration of health;
• Consults with physicians and other members of the health care team as necessary. Refers patients requiring hospitalization or assessment and management of conditions to supervising physicians or appropriate specialist. Follows patient's progress with physician;
• Maintains all patient records to comply with required standards, reviews records regularly, and obtains physician countersignature where necessary;
• Attends medical staff meetings and participates in the health center’s QI/QA program;
• Formulates, initiates, and monitors patient management plans for patients assigned to the mid-level Provider using protocols and/or consultation with a supervising physician;
• Performs routine procedures within scope of practice. Maintains effective working relationships with colleagues, counselors, and others;
• Performs other necessary duties as required by the health center to meet the goal of providing primary health care services;
• Other duties assigned by the CEO, CMO, or Board of Directors.

EXPERIENCE/SKILLS

Supervisory Responsibilities

May be asked to supervise clinical supporting staff or other members of the primary care team.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Education/Experience

Graduation from an accredited university. Completion of accredited program. Current certification through a professional organization of their specialty.

LANGUAGE

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret the most complex documents. Ability to respond effectively to the most sensitive inquiries or complaints. Ability to write speeches and articles using original or innovative techniques or style. Ability to make effective and persuasive speeches and presentations on controversial or complex topics to top management, public groups, and/or Board of Directors.

Reasoning

Ability to apply principles of logical or scientific thinking to a wide range of intellectual and practical problems. Ability to deal with nonverbal symbolism (formulas, scientific equations, graphs, musical notes, etc.) in its most difficult phases. Ability to deal with a variety of abstract and concrete variables.

Competency/Skills

Competency required in the areas of interpersonal communications, excellent verbal and written skills, and knowledge of credentialing criteria and standards.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

Current license to practice in North Carolina.

PHYSICAL/MENTAL DEMANDS

The physical/mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disability to perform the essential functions.

Performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear, sit, and use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, climb, or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Mental demands include the ability to learn and adapt to changes, pay close attention to detail, exercise discretion and good judgement, gather and analyze facts, develop options and solutions, courteous and professional, deal with stressful situations, and adhere to company policies and procedures.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to toxic or caustic chemicals. The employee is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles and risk of electrical shock.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.