Physician Assistant - Nephrology

Apply for the Physician Assistant - Nephrology position at University of Iowa
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• Function independently and/or collaboratively as a member of an interdisciplinary team to plan, deliver, and evaluate health care for renal patients.
• Provide clinical services and continuity of renal care in the Nephrology Outpatient Clinic.
• Make rounds on a regularly scheduled basis for dialysis outpatients, including travel to satellite hemodialysis units. This includes hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis patients at our home dialysis unit. Address health problems of outpatients, write prescriptions, participate in regular patient reviews, and patient care conferences.
• Write initial dialysis orders, alter existing orders per patient labs, or as medically necessary. Assess, examine, and write dialysis orders for transient dialysis patients.
• Practice preventive medicine, establish and follow guidelines that are age‑appropriate for routine health maintenance for patients on chronic dialysis.
• Order appropriate lab and diagnostic tests, review monthly lab tests and medications, interpret results, and recommend or consult with primary nephrologist and other members of the health care team (dietitian, pharmacist, social worker, etc.) to make appropriate changes in dialysis prescription, medications, or diet.
• Handle telephone calls from dialysis outpatients and care providers concerning changes in medical condition, medication adjustment, and prescription renewals. Communicate with patients, primary physician, and nephrologist as needed regarding changes in medical status and treatment plan.
• Collaborate with nephrologist and pre‑ESRD advanced practice nurse in management of pre‑ESRD patients. Provide guidance on choice of dialysis modality and pre‑dialysis education of patients/families.
• Discuss psychological‑adjustment issues, code status, and end‑of‑life issues with patients/families and recommend or consult with nephrologist, psychologist, psychiatrist, social worker, and others as appropriate.
• Work directly with surgeons and interventional radiologists for vascular access issues.
• Participate in the transition of chronic dialysis patients from inpatient to outpatient status, and vice‑versa.
• Perform annual and other history and physical examinations on ESRD outpatients, home dialysis patients, and pre‑ESRD patients, primarily in satellite unit sites and/or in UI Health Care.
• Duties above, as performed, will be appropriately documented.
• Fully utilize UI Healthcare computer entry and documentation systems.
• Coordinate and facilitate patient care between multiple disciplines and allied health professionals, including home health agencies, referring physicians, nursing homes, and other community support services. Facilitate continuity of care.
• Provide inpatient consultative renal care on the ESRD service and occasional assistance on the Acute Renal Consult Service. Evaluate, assess, and manage patients with ESRD on renal replacement therapy and other renal diagnoses in consultation with the primary teams. Provide excellent communication to multidisciplinary teams and coordination of care.
• Hours may vary outside of the usual time frame (7 or 8 – 4 or
  5) due to dialysis units’ hours of operation.

• Serve in a consultative and resource capacity by providing expert knowledge in hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, and home dialysis.
• Serve in a resource capacity to physicians, nurses, and allied health professionals in UI Health Care, hospitals with satellite units, and the community as needed.

• Participate in the education of ESRD and pre‑ESRD patients/families. Evaluate patient learning needs and refer to social service, renal dietitian, transplant coordinator, psychologist, nursing staff, etc., as needed.
• Provide education and serve as a resource for nursing staff and health care providers as needed.

• Participate in development of divisional and departmental continuous quality improvement programs focusing on optimal patient care and improved renal patient outcomes.
• Generate research questions regarding health care for particular patient populations.
• Participate in clinical…