Medicine Physician Assistant

Job Summary & Requirements
Physician Assistant - Medicine Surge
Position Summary:
Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre (RVH) is seeking a Physician Assistant (PA) to join our Medicine team on a
temporary 6-month contract
to support increased patient volumes. This is a great opportunity to gain valuable experience in a dynamic hospital environment and work closely with an interdisciplinary team providing high-quality patient care.

As part of the Medicine team, the PA will collaborate with physicians, nurses, and allied health professionals to manage patient care, perform clinical assessments, assist with procedures, and contribute to discharge planning and patient flow during a period of surge activity.

This position is ideal for a motivated and adaptable Physician Assistant looking to broaden their clinical experience in a supportive and fast-paced setting.

Responsible to:

• Medical Director, Medicine Program
• Manager, Academic & Medical Affairs

Qualifications
Education:

• Undergraduate Degree
• Graduate of a Canadian or US-Accredited Physician Assistant Education Program, including the Canadian Forces Physician Assistant Training Program
• Eligible to challenge the National Physician Assistant Certificate Exam, or Canadian Physician Assistant Certification – Mandatory
• BCLS and ACLS
• Mandatory registration with the CPSO (or eligible after passing the certification exam)

Experience:

• Experience working in an acute care/inpatient setting

Competencies:

• Integrate all the core PA competencies to provide optimal, ethical and patient-centred medical care
• Perform a complete and appropriate clinical assessment of a patient and formulate a clinical treatment plan
• Use preventive and therapeutic interventions effectively
• Demonstrate proficient and appropriate use of diagnostic and procedural skills
• Recognize their scope of practice while demonstrating effective and appropriate consultation practice with other healthcare professionals in respect to patient care, education and legal opinions

Responsibilities
Clinical Assessment of Patients

• Obtain health history as appropriate, including patient demographics, chief complaint, history of the present illness or injury, past medical, surgical, family and psychosocial history, medications, allergies and systems review.
• Conduct comprehensive and focused physical assessments and interpret findings. This includes assessment of vital signs and examination of all major body systems.
• Order and complete preliminary interpretation of necessary diagnostic tests, which may include, but are not limited to, hematology, microbiology, chemistry, serology, urinalysis, blood gas, pathology, ECG, and plain film x-ray.
• Utilize primary and secondary assessment results to formulate a differential diagnosis and determine if further clinical investigation is required.

Demonstrate at least an academic understanding of the performance of the following diagnostic procedures:

• Collection of blood samples (arterial and venous), including point of care
• Collection of secretions and bodily fluids (sputum, wound drainage, urine, and PD fluid)

Communication
When/as directed by a registered physician:

• Provide relevant information and explanations, including a proposed treatment plan, to the supervising physician and seek further direction where appropriate.
• Provide education to patients, families and other health providers as appropriate to the clinical setting.
• Communicate with other members of the health care team and other hospital departments, both orally, in writing and electronically.

Medical Documentation and Record Keeping

• Maintain clear, accurate and appropriate records of the patient encounter and management plan
• Admission notes, progress notes and discharge notes as needed
• Dictated records as appropriate
• Consultation requests
• Other types of documentation as required by the particular setting

Collaboration with Affiliated Services (including Regional Sites)

• Emergency Department
• Critical Care
• Surgery
• Radiology
• Pathology

Supervision:
Requirement to exercise supervision; Explains work procedures to new or inexperienced employees or medical learners (clinical clerks, residents, PA Students, etc.)