University of New England

PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT
             

BASIC FUNCTION

To evaluate and treat patients in an outpatient family practice setting.

CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Primary

• Provide direct clinical care to patients within established clinical guidelines. Consults and refers patients to physicians, medical specialists and other health professionals as indicated.  Interviews, takes medical histories. Performs physical examinations, analyze, diagnose and explain medical problems. Recommends and explains appropriate diagnostic tests and treatment.  Performs specialized diagnostic physical exams and treatment procedures.  Instructs and educates patients in preventive health care.  Confers with patients on phone to convey test results, hear emergency complaints and deal with similar situations and issues. Participates in evening and weekend call schedule.
• Fully document all aspects of patient care, and complete all required paperwork for billing and administrative purposes.
• Order laboratory tests.
• Perform a variety of research and analysis tasks associated with medical diagnosis and treatment: research unusual symptoms and treatment options through consultation with physicians and other medical specialists, literature review, and the like; review, analyze and determine the significance of a variety of diagnostic test results; formulate diagnoses and treatment plans, in consultation with or referring to supervising physician as appropriate.
• Give clinical instructions to nursing staff and medical assistants as required.
• Assist in clinical instruction and supervision of medical, nursing and medical assistant students. 
• Confer regularly with the Administrator and Medical Director, staff physicians, other Health Service staff, and various UNE/UNECOM personnel to consult on/refer specific patients, plan and coordinate activities, exchange information, investigate and resolve problems, and the like.
• Deal regularly with community hospitals, physicians and other health care providers, insurance companies, area business employers, and other community organizations to refer/consult on specific cases, participate in community service and education projects and activities, and the like.
• Keep up-to-date on relevant medical research, technology, and related issues by attending continuing education courses and professional meetings, reading journals ect.
• Understands and complies wit MSDS and HAZCOM procedures and policies as part of UNE's comprehensive OSHA compliance program
• Understand and comply with OSHA’s Bloodborn Pathogen Standard ( 29 CFR 1910.1030) and Chapter 8 of the University of New England Safety Manual.
• Understand and comply with OSHA requirements (29 CFR Part 1910) for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as defined by the University Chemical Hygiene Officers, the Environmental Health and Safety Coordinator (EHSC), the supervisor and Chapter 17 of the University of New England Safety Manual.
• Understand and comply with the University of New England Safety Manual.
• Perform related duties as necessary.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

General supervision is received from the Medical Director.

QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor's degree in an appropriate discipline, plus appropriate Physician Assistant training and certification, or graduate of an accredited Family Nurse Practitioner program, or a combination of education and experience from which comparable knowledge and skills are acquired.

• Physician's Assistant license from the State of Maine or, Nurse Practitioner's License from the State of Maine.
• Broad base of technical knowledge and skills needed to perform all assigned clinical duties.
• Relevant experience in a family practice setting; experience in a teaching clinic environment desirable.
• EMT or Advanced Cardiac Life Support training/certification.
• Good informal teaching skills.
• Ability to speak clearly and comfortably to and use tact, discretion and sensitivity in dealing with patients, including good interviewing and counseling skills, and the ability to explain medical problems and treatments in accurate and understandable lay language.  Ability to work cooperatively with physicians and other Health Service staff, hospitals and other health care providers, and others inside and outside of the University.