Physician Assistant (Orthopedic Service) Fort Carson, Colorado

Fort Carson, CO: Located just south of Colorado Springs, Ft. Carson combines scenic beauty, pleasant residential areas, and cultural activities to satisfy every taste. It is an unusually well-rounded military community which offers a variety of recreational and cultural opportunities. World-class ski resorts are available within a short 2 1/2 hour drive, golf courses and biking trails are available on the installation as well as in the surrounding community. Numerous colleges and universities are available for continuing education.

(Fort Carson Landscape)

Working for the Department of Defense comes with an abundance of benefits and perks to include competitive compensation packages, paid-time off, medical benefits, student loan repayments, and retirement package with Thrift Savings Plan to include matching employer contributions. For more information, please visit the following link: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/benefits/

MAJOR DUTIES

Serves as a direct primary health care provider in the capacity of a credentialed Physician Assistant (PA) providing primary medical services to patients ranging from the ages of one year of age through geriatric. The incumbent serves in a Primary Health Care Clinic (e.g., Family Practice Clinic, Troop Medical Clinic, or Physical Exam Clinic) or in specialty clinics (e.g., Emergency Room, Urology, Pain Management, TBI Clinic, Orthopedic Clinic, Occupational Health Clinic, or Pediatric Clinic) of a Military Treatment Facility (MTF). The incumbent performs a variety of professional direct health care clinical duties within the field of general medicine. Responsible for the independent examination, diagnosis, and treatment within personal credentials and privileges delineated by the hospital Commander. Provides services to military and their family members and retirees at the local MTF installation.

1. CLINICAL DUTIES:

The incumbent independently performs a variety of professional direct health care clinical duties within the field of general family medicine for the pediatric, adult, and geriatric patients. Assignments include a wide range from routine to exceptionally complex activities including assessing, planning, evaluating, and modifying the plan of acute and chronically ill patients.

The PA makes independent decisions regarding the medical care required and in the interpretation and evaluation of processes resulting from continuing changes in the medical field due to new technological developments or conflicting requirements. Performs a variety of duties involving the full range of complex medical care that involve isolating and defining unknown medical conditions. Secures a more comprehensive and detailed health and medical history from the patient or a family member, records findings, and other ancillary materials. Using this information, makes independent clinical evaluations and recommendations in an effort to prevent complications by preventing disease occurrence or modifying its course. Examines patients and performs initial patient work-up and assessment of patients' care and treatment; and, determines the need for and orders laboratory tests, X-rays, and other procedures necessary to complete assessment of the patient. Discriminates between normal and abnormal findings to recognize early stages of serious physical, emotional, or mental problems.

Provides surveillance of adherence to medical and primary care practices and procedures to stabilize chronically ill patients; adjusts regimens within established protocols recognizing when to refer the patient to the physician or other primary care members. Makes decisions concerning primary care needs of patients; works collaboratively with the physician team in patient evaluation, management, and revision of therapeutic plans; and, refers extremely or selected complex medical problems to appropriate next level of specialty care or medical management.

Performs outpatient surgical and non-surgical procedures as designated by credentials committee. Prescribes for and treats a variety of diseases, disorders, and injuries. Treats patients returning for routine or directed follow-up and chronic illnesses previously documented in patients' medical records.

Provides a full range of emergency services or crisis intervention, including lifesaving emergency procedures, in order to stabilize a patient within the scope of practice and approved protocols.

Writes prescriptions, orders the administration of medications, dispenses medication and prescribes controlled substances in accordance with scope of practice for Physician Assistants. Performs a variety of physical examinations such as school, employment, sports, annual, retirement, discharge, reenlistment, disability separation or retirement, and other special physicals. Orders laboratory tests, X-rays, etc., and arranges for physician consultation if required. Records entries into patients records to include history and exam findings, results of laboratory tests, X-rays, and other special studies, diagnoses, and treatment plans to include any treatment rendered during visit, drugs dispensed or administered in accordance with approved protocols, tests, or procedures ordered, notations of new prescriptions or changes in dosages to old prescriptions, and consultations for further treatment or evaluation.

Provides consultation, teaching, and coordination with patients and their family members regarding treatment and medical care. Evaluates the primary care aspects of patient care recognizing the impact of the care of other healthcare professionals and ancillary staff when reassessment by a physician or other staff professionals is required. Provides primary care and preventive services to healthy individuals, including guidance in common illnesses, accidents, child growth and development, alternative drug usage, etc. Evaluates the total health care needs of patients and develops plans to meet the patients' needs.

Participates with the attending physician and other medical staff in interpreting and evaluating continuing changes in direct patient care, conflicting requirements, or technological development in the medical field. Plans with other professionals, and agencies involved in providing primary care services to patients and their family members, and coordinates the care provided. Incumbent independently develops new techniques and establishes criteria for providing improved, quality patient health care to clients and family members of their assigned hospital. 75%

2. MEDICAL EDUCATION DUTIES:

Provides consultation, teaching, and coordination with patients and their family members of treatment and medical care. Coordinates with patients regarding physicians' findings and diagnoses, laboratory results, follow-up treatment plan or the effect of medications prescribed in accordance with approved protocols. Provides educational management to patients and their families regarding disease processes and diagnostic tests; the therapeutic regimen including medication, diet, and follow-up care; methods of adapting medication and treatment to current lifestyles. Provides counseling to patients and their families for prevention of illness and maintenance of health in order to assist patients in attaining physical, mental, and social well-being. Oversees compliance with the preventive healthcare needs of adult patients visiting the clinic. Refers high-risk, unstable, or extremely complex patients to the physicians and emergency medicine. Performs emergency care as appropriate. 25%

PERFORMS OTHER DUTIES AS ASSIGNED.

Basic Requirements:

Who May Apply: US Citizens


Basic Requirements for Physician Assistant:

Education: Graduation from a physician assistant educational program, accredited by the Accreditation Review Committee on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) or its predecessors, at a college, university, or educational institution that is accredited by an accrediting body or organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education at the time the degree was obtained.

Certification: Successful completion of the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) examination; must maintain status as a certified physician assistant, including completion of all requirements for Continuing Medical Education (CME) and re-certification.

Licensure: Applicants must possess a current, active, full, and unrestricted license or registration as a Physician Assistant from a State, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or a territory of the United States.