PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT (Orthopedic)

It is also a great place to raise a family along with a low cost of living. 

MAJOR DUTIES:

1. As a credentialed Physician Assistant (PA) with specialty training in orthopedic surgery, serves as a PA in the Orthopedic Clinic and performs first assist duties in the operating room. Provides comprehensive medical, preventative, and therapeutic orthopedic healthcare service to cadets, active duty patients and their dependents, as well as retirees in a clinic based and surgical based orthopedic facility as an orthopedic healthcare provider at the facility. Secures a health and developmental history from the patient or parent: records findings and makes critical evaluation in the diagnosis and treatment of the patient.

Evaluates total overall orthopedic healthcare needs of patients and develops plans to meet these needs. Incumbent makes decisions concerning primary care needs of patient; works collaboratively with the physician team in patient evaluation, management, and revision of therapeutic plans, refers to next level of specialty care or healthcare management team. Teaches patients and family member’s ways to maintain or improve their health status. Provides a full range of emergency services, in accordance with MTF protocols, responds to in-house or local area medical emergencies for patients in life-threatening situation where a physician is not immediately available and performs Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitations (CPR), Basic Life Support (BLS) or Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS). Writes progress notes and interim summaries on patient's status.

Evaluates servicemembers for retention in accordance with regulations. Determines physical limitations and completes Duty Limiting Condition forms. Initiates, writes, and dictates medical summaries for medical evaluation boards. Provides telephone consultation with primary care managers regarding management of orthopedic conditions. Assists Orthopedic surgeons in the operating room with surgical procedures. Performs admission history and physicals for pre-operative patients. Performs on-call duties as assigned by the clinic.

Maintains a thorough working knowledge of the performance improvement process outlined by the Accreditation Association of Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC) and stays current with the guidelines.

1. Identifies components of the clinical evaluation that may be delegated to other healthcare personnel. Facilitates and manages a full spectrum of patient care activities for the orthopedic team. Involving isolating and defining unknown medical conditions, secures comprehensive and detailed health history from patient for family, electronic records and make recommendations to prevent disease and injury complications and modifying its course. Initiates patient work-up and assessment of patients, discriminates between normal and abnormal findings to recognize stages of orthopedic injury or disease. Identifies and manages specific musculoskeletal conditions. Performs minor diagnostic/therapeutic procedures, such as nail bed repairs, closed reductions, joint aspirations and injections. Monitors adherence to medical regimens and protocols and adjusts them as needed within established standards recognizing when to refer the patient to the physician or other health team members.

Assists in developing protocols for the facility. Evaluates and analyzes how the team provides care through a continuum thereby facilitating the achievement of efficient, high quality, and cost-effective healthcare. Identifies components of the clinical evaluation that may be delegated to other healthcare personnel.

1. Performs surgical assistance to include preoperative and postoperative evaluation, history and physicals, medical orders, review of labs, and medical clearance. Assists in the operating room to include positioning and draping of the patient as well as retracting and assisting the surgeon through the procedure. Performs superficial and deep tissue closure followed by extremity splinting or casting. Assists with postoperative care to include but not limited to postoperative orders, medications, patient instructions, rehabilitation, suture removal, wound evaluation, and patient education.

1. Actively participates and contributes to medical oversight activities to include peer review programs. Participates in medical group/surgical services committee work as determined by the Chief of the Medical Staff commensurate with other providers of the same specialty performing like duties (i.e. credentials, Pharmacy and Therapeutics, Occupational Health, and other such activities). Provides professional guidance concerning unit/MDG Medical Group or Military Treatment Facility policies and/or operating instructions.

Participates in local disaster training exercises as directed by the Chief of the Medical Staff (SGH) or other medical group leadership; responds to real-world disaster situations. Participates in local disaster exercises to maintain emergency preparedness levels. Responds to assigned medical treatment facility in real-world disaster to facilitate primary care delivery in the face of emergent local situations.

Performs other duties as assigned.