The Physician Assistant will work with a supervising physician to have delegated autonomy and working collaboratively with the healthcare team. The Physician Assistant is responsible for delivery of quality, cost effective, and evidenced based care. The Physician Assistant will assess, plan, implement, and evaluate care for children and their families: obtaining histories and physicals, coordinate follow up care, order and interpret laboratory tests and procedures, initiate and/or recommend medical drug therapies or other forms of related therapeutic treatments and procedures, patient/family/staff education, quality assurance and research. The Physician Assistant has a strong foundation in evidenced based practice/education and provides an environment of safe quality care.

Specific Requirements and Preferences
Graduate of an accredited Physician Assistant Program. (Required)

Minimum Work Experience
2 years

Specific Requirements and Preferences
Experience in pediatric healthcare setting as a physician assistant (Preferred)

Required Licenses and Certifications
Physician Assistant Current license to practice as Physician Assistant with prescriptive privileges.

Functional Accountabilities

Assessment of Health Status
1. Performs and documents in the medical record a complete history and physical examination for acute and complex chronically ill patients.
2. Orders and collects data using appropriate assessment techniques, relevant supporting diagnostic information and diagnostic procedures where indicated.
3. Serves as the first responder for both nursing in the event of patient status changes, orders, and in situations requiring procedural and resuscitative interventions.
4. Assesses for risks associated with the care of the acute and complex chronically ill patient including: medication side effects, immobility , impaired nutrition, fluid and electrolyte imbalance, immunocompetence, invasive interventions and diagnostic procedures.
5. Coordinates daily rounds with the Attending physician teams, presents patient report, collaborates in plan of care, and follows assigned patient population throughout the day or night shift.

Diagnosis
1. Collaborates with interdisciplinary health care team in making diagnoses of acute and complex chronic conditions.
2. Manages diagnostic tests through ordering, interpretation, performance, and supervision.
3. Formulates differential diagnoses by priority .
4. Diagnosis complications and orders appropriate interventions.

Formulates, Implement and Modify Plan of Care
1. Identifies expected outcomes from diagnosis and formulates and documents a plan of care to address complex acute and chronic health care needs
2. Utilizes evidenced based practice guidelines or protocols in an individualized, dynamic plan of care that can be applied across the continuum.
3. Prescribes diagnostic strategies and therapeutic interventions both pharmacologic, non-pharmacologic and surgical, needed to achieve expected outcomes.
4. May perform advanced procedures consistent with privileges and competency validation including minor suturing, complex wound management, line and tube placements and removals.

Communication and Collaboration
1. Maintains ongoing communication and collaboration with interdisciplinary healthcare team.
2. Facilitates and communicates with patient, family and staff to promote continuity of care across the inpatient and outpatient continuum of care.

Documentation
1. Documents/dictates key components of patient's progress via admission, daily progress note, transfer , and discharge summary , and or clinic note where applicable.
2. Documentation is timely and meets acute care compliance standards and captures patient acuity .

Professional Practice
1. Demonstrates professional practice behaviors including: preceptor/mentoring, education and instruction of students and physician assistants.
2. Seeks opportunities for active engagement in research and the analysis of evidenced based practice.
3. Actively participates in Grand Rounds, Advanced Practice Council meetings, faculty and unit meetings, M&M presentations.
4. Maintains CEUs and membership in a professional organization.

Organizational Accountabilities
Organizational Accountabilities (Staff)
Organizational Commitment/Identification 1. Anticipate and responds to customer needs; follows up until needs are met
Teamwork/Communication 1. Demonstrate collaborative and respectful behavior
2. Partner with all team members to achieve goals
3. Receptive to others' ideas and opinions
Performance Improvement/Problem-solving 1. Contribute to a positive work environment
2. Demonstrate flexibility and willingness to change
3. Identify opportunities to improve clinical and administrative processes
4. Make appropriate decisions, using sound judgment
Cost Management/Financial Responsibility 1. Use resources efficiently
2. Search for less costly ways of doing things
Safety 1. Speak up when team members appear to exhibit unsafe behavior or performance
2. Continuously validate and verify information needed for decision making or documentation
3. Stop in the face of uncertainty and takes time to resolve the situation
4. Demonstrate accurate, clear and timely verbal and written communication
5. Actively promote safety for patients, families, visitors and co-workers
6. Attend carefully to important details - practicing Stop, Think, Act and Review in order to self-check behavior and performance