Shreveport-Physician Assistant-Orthopedics-91412859

Overview

The primary duty of the Orthopedic Physician Assistant (PA) as mid-level provider is to manage the responsibility of performing comprehensive and / or episodic patient assessment, including initial and interim history and physical examination, and evaluation of normal and abnormal findings.

Develops and initiates a plan of care based on these evaluations with consultation and follow-up as needed. Regular review of the care rendered to stable patients will be accomplished.

Duties may include but are not limited to the following :

Performs comprehensive and / or episodic patient assessment, including initial and interim history and physical examination, and evaluation of normal and abnormal findings.

Develops and initiates a plan of care based on these evaluations with consultation and follow-up as needed. Regular review of the care rendered to stable patients will be accomplished.

• May screen patients to determine the need for hospital admission and may so admit patients when indicated and inform the receiving physician of the admission as soon as practicable.
• Orders and evaluates laboratory, radiological and other diagnostic tests pertinent to patient care needs and their pre / post surgical plan of care and provide initial interpretation of results.
• Orders type and screen of blood, type and crossmatch blood, and makes preparations as required for blood products for patients.

A physician must issue an actual order for the giving of blood and / or blood products.

• May perform venipuncture and arterial punctures to obtain specimens when personnel who customarily perform these procedures are unable to do so or are unavailable.
• Refers patients to specialty clinics when indicated.
• Screens outpatients to determine the need for further health care or hospital admission.
• Advises, teaches, and counsels individuals, families and groups regarding identified health care needs and provides information for prevention of illnesses, management of medical conditions, treatment of post-operative wounds and continuous follow-up care including proper use of prescribed treatments and medications.
• Assumes responsibility for organizing and managing a caseload of patients.
• Participates in clinical rounds with staff to assist in coordinating treatment plans and providing patient follow-up.
• Performs the following procedures : (a) Wound closure(b) Wound management(c) Wound Debridement(d) Incision and drainage of superficial soft tissue infections(e) K-wire removal(f) Hardware removal(g) Excision of lesions (including skin lesion, foreign body, superficial mass, cyst)(h) Removal of nails(i) Nail guttering(j) Digital blocks(k) Local infiltrating anesthesia
• Performs diagnostic and therapeutic procedures including : (a) External and internal orthopedic joint and bursa aspirations(b) Closed reduction of fractures and dislocations(c) Injection of joints, tendons, trigger points and bursa(d) Brace, cast and splint applications
• Performs surgical first assistant duties to include assisting in exposure, hemostasis, and other technical functions, deep and superficial tissue closures, application of appliances and other actions delegated by the surgeon to carry out a safe operation with optimal results for the patient.
• Orders, prescribes, dispenses, and administers medication, orthosis, orthotics, braces and other orthopedic devices as may be allowed by state legislation.
• Prescriptive authority for inpatient and outpatient pharmaceuticals using the current Medical Center formulary including controlled substances, Schedule 3, 3N, 4, 5.
• Continuation or renewal of current medications, except for those excluded on the above list, may be ordered by the PA.
• May obtain consents for any procedure performed by the PA.

Job Requirements

• All qualified candidates encouraged to apply. Open to U.S. Citizens but non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment.

Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.

• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12 / 31 / 1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Subject to background / security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.
30+ days ago