Physician Assistant - Orthopedics, Total Joint Replacement

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The West Virginia University Health System, the state’s largest health system and largest private employer, comprises 18 hospitals throughout the state and bordering states. In addition, it includes five institutes, as well as providing management services for other local hospitals through affiliate agreements.

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Additional Job Description:

PLEASE NOTE: This position requires a Physician Assistant (PA).

POSITION DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE & CODE: ADVANCED PRACTICE PROFESSIONALS - Orthopedics – Total Joint Replacement

Nurse Practitioner (85001) or Physician Assistant (85101)

DEPARTMENT: Department of Orthopedics

REPORTS TO: Administrator, Faculty Supervisor, Chairman of Orthopedics

FLSA STATUS: Exempt

POSITION SUMMARY:   The Advanced Practice Professional (APP) has coordination and clinical skills required for the comprehensive management of orthopedic patients, (including biological, social and psychological assessments).  The APP coordinates involvement of medical/surgical specialty teams necessary to develop a comprehensive plan for the patient, and reviews the plan of care with the other members of the clinical team, participates in directing that care, performs diagnostic/therapeutic procedures, peri-operative services, and coordinates discharge planning/follow-up (as applicable).  The APP participates in the education of residents and medical/nursing students.

Provide healthcare services consistent with state law and the requirements of the professional licensing or certification authority and/or hospital privileges, where applicable.  Such service may include, but are not limited to. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS FOR NURSE PRACTITIONER:

EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION, AND/OR LICENSURE:

1. Graduate of a CCNE accredited nursing program with Master’s Degree in Nursing

2. National Certification by one of the recognized APRN Certification Centers

3. Licensure, or eligibility for licensure, as a professional Registered Nurse and Advanced Practice Registered Nurse in West Virginia.

4. CNOR Certification.

5. BLS Certification required with additional Advanced Life Support training at the discretion of the department. 

EXPERIENCE:

1. Acute care, surgical or orthopedic experience preferred. 

2. Eligible new graduates will be considered.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS FOR PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT:

EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION, AND/OR LICENSURE:

1. Bachelor’s Degree as Physician Assistant, or Master’s Degree as Physician Assistant required. 

2. Graduate of an ARC-PA approved Physician Assistant (PA) training program required.

3. Certification by the National Commission for Certification of Physician Assistants required.

4. Must be licensed or eligible for licensure by the WV Board of Medicine.

6. BLS Certification required with additional Advanced Life Support training at the discretion of the department.

EXPERIENCE:

1. Acute care, surgical or orthopedic experience preferred. 

2. Eligible new graduates will be considered.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION, AND/OR LICENSURE:

1. Master’s level degree as Physician Assistant preferred.

CORE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The statements described here are intended to describe the general nature of work being performed by people assigned to this position.  They are not intended to be constructed as an all-inclusive list of all responsibilities and duties.  Other duties may be assigned.

1. Manages comprehensive and individualized care for orthopedic patients and their families in the inpatient phase of hospitalization and immediate post discharge in the ambulatory setting.

2. Completes daily rounds; consults and/or pre-procedure/evaluations.

3. Completes integrated assessments.

4. With the collaboration of orthopedic faculty or by following established clinical Guidelines and Protocols, orders additional tests or consults as deemed appropriate.

5. Performs and communicates results of diagnostic tests following established clinical guidelines and scope of practice.

6. Consults and communicates with clinic and hospital staff regarding abnormal findings in the evaluations of patients.

7. Performs succinct comprehensive clinical evaluations and documents findings in medical record.

8. Facilitates patient discharge by coordinating appropriate services and tests prior to discharge necessary for outpatient follow-up appointments in the clinic (as applicable). 

9. Develops a comprehensive individualized plan of care for orthopedic patients, which includes teaching, discharge planning and necessary referral to other members of the health care team as necessary.

10. Demonstrates expertise in caring for patients across the age continuum of their educational experience and certification.

11. Identifies unstable or complex orthopedic patient care situations and facilitates appropriate intervention in the clinic and/or hospital setting.

12. Recognizes emergency situations and initiates effective emergency care.

13. Evaluates orthopedic patients and serves as a coordinator for follow up procedures and tests in the ambulatory setting (as applicable).

14. Assists in the collection of outcome measures (as applicable).

15. Demonstrates critical thinking and diagnostic reasoning skills in clinical decision making by the identification, evaluation and management of the individual needs of patients/families.

16. Demonstrates the ability to utilize equipment in a safe manner.

17. Bases decisions made/actions taken on the relevant scientific principles, established standards of care and/or research findings.

18. Utilizes teaching/learning theory and appropriate teaching strategies in the provision of education to nursing staff, hospital staff, students, patients, families and the community.

19. Promotes an environment that facilitates learning by responding to appropriate patient/family preferences, priorities and readiness to learn.

20. Updates own knowledge base throughout the year.

21. Completes all identified clinical competencies.

22. Serves as a resource person for staff caring for the orthopedic patient.

23.Provides educational programs to professional and paraprofessional personnel in area of expertise.

24. Participates in community programs, distribution of literature, as appropriate in area of expertise.

25. Documents the plan of care, interventions and evaluations in a clear and concise manner for every patient visit in the patient’s medical record following approved hospital/UHA policies and compliance standards for documentation. 

26. Collaborates with other leaders and staff to effectively achieve patient outcome based improvements in care.

27. Provides leadership in the development and implantation of changes in the orthopedic practice that positively impact patient outcomes. 

28. Works collaboratively with medical and nursing staff to facilitate creative problem solving and provide professional support.

29. Participates and initiates inter-disciplinary approaches to patient care, program development and education.  Serves as a professional role model.

30. Promotes and practices innovation of the expanded role in the delivery of care to orthopedic patients and families throughout the inpatient hospitalization, and the ambulatory setting.

31. Participates and provides leadership for committees and task forces.

32. Documents hours and submits billing reports, as appropriate. 

33. Reviews and interprets orthopedic data from sources such as patient registries, clinical and financial reports, length of stay, access to care, and cost per case reports and recommends/implements changes as necessary.

34. Participates in clinical trials and research studies with the Principal Investigator.

35. Assists orthopedic Faculty, Administrators and Directors in the collection of outcome measures.

36. Other duties/projects as assigned.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: The physical 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 disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. Heavy/Hard Work:  Work requires strength and/or stamina, lifting, moving, stooping, reaching, positioning of patients, standing, walking, and carrying of patients, materials and equipment weighting 40+ pounds.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an 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.

1. Working closely with others.

2. Protracted or irregular hours.

3. Working around biohazards.

4. Working around infectious diseases.

5. Working with or near the deceased.

6. Working with hands in water.

7. Electrical hazards associated with patient care equipment.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

1. Proficiency with computers.

2. Strong communication skills.

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

40

Shift:

Exempt/Non-Exempt:

United States of America (Exempt)

Company:

UHA University Health Associates

Cost Center:

8160 UHA Orthopaedics

Address:

1 Medical Center DriveMorgantownWest Virginia

Equal Opportunity Employer

University Health Associates and its subsidiaries (collectively "UHA") is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local fair employment practices laws. UHA strictly prohibits and does not tolerate discrimination against employees, applicants, or any other covered persons because of race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, ethnicity, sex (including gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. All UHA employees, other workers, and representatives are prohibited from engaging in unlawful discrimination. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, training, promotion, discipline, compensation, benefits, and termination of employment.