Physician Assistant; Pain Management

Description

• Conducts physical exams, assesses health status, orders and interprets tests, prescribes medications, and treats illnesses including giving injections and suturing wounds.
• Consults with physicians as needed and refers to physicians for more complicated medical cases or cases that are not a routine part of a PA’s scope of work.
• Monitors therapies and provides continuity of care.
• Triages patient calls and evaluates patient problems. Responds to emergencies including use of CPR.
• Counsels patient/family on preventive health care.
• Documents patient information and care in medical record and may maintain department statistical database for research purposes.
• Obtains complete medical history and physical data on patients
• Reviews patient records, interprets and integrates data to determine appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic procedures needed in conjunction with the physician or under the direction of a physician
• Dictates history and physicals for all hospitalized admissions
• Interviews and advises patients regarding health and illness prevention; instructs patient and family regarding medications and treatment instructions
• Provides patient education
• Triages patient telephone calls and provides consultation
• Performs independent evaluations and treatment procedures in emergency situations
• Writes and refills prescriptions (this is dependent on state laws and the PA’s scope of practice)
• Other duties as assigned

• Nurse Practitioner
  
  Education:
• BSN required, MSN preferred; successful completion of advanced practitioner training and certification as a practitioner (general or specialized) from an approved nurse practitioner program.
• Minimum three years of professional nursing experience in a clinic setting, plus two years of nurse practitioner experience.
• Physician Assistant
  
  Education:
• Bachelor’s degree and successful completion of accredited physician assistant program.
• Four years of health care experience prior to applying to PA program, plus one year of experience as PA, preferably in clinic setting.

• Nurse Practioner
  
  Experience:
  
  Minimum three years of professional nursing experience in a clinic setting, plus two years of nurse practitioner experience
• Physician Assistant
  
  Experience:
  
  Four years of health care experience prior to applying to PA program, plus one year of experience as PA, preferably in clinic setting.

• Nurse Practioner Requirements:
  Current state registered nurse license. Current state license as an advanced registered nurse practitioner with prescriptive authority.
• Physician Assistant Requirements:
  National certification from the National Commission on Certification of PA; state PA license also required.
• Current CPR certificate required.

Medical instruments required for physical exams and minor surgery and computer hardware/software.

Medical office and exam room settings. Frequent exposure to communicable diseases, biohazards, and other conditions common to clinic. Frequent contact with variety of people.

Involves standing, sitting, walking, bending, stooping, and twisting. May be required to help to transfer patient. High level of responsibility and heavy workload can generate stress.