Physician Assistant

Description

Illinois Bone & Joint Institute, Chicago Division, is seeking a full time Physician Assistant to work with one of our Sports Medicine Fellowship trained Orthopaedic Surgeons. Practice location is in the Lincoln Park/Lakeview area of Chicago. Graduation from an accredited Physician Assistant School is mandatory, with an Illinois license.  He/She will work Mondays-Fridays in both the clinic setting and in the operating room.  There is no night nor weekend call in this position.  

The Orthopaedic Surgeon's practice emphasis is on sports related conditions mainly of the shoulder and knee, in addition to total shoulder and knee replacements and some fracture care.  Although prior work experience in the orthopaedic setting is preferred, this is not a pre-requisite.  Important in our selection is an individual who possesses excellent communication skills and empathy with patients.  

Furthermore, he/she needs to be punctual, diligent, and collegial.  In the clinic setting, the Physician Assistant will evaluate both new and follow up patients, provide injections, evaluate post operative patients, and occasionally apply casts.  In the operating room, he/she will serve as the first assist to the orthopaedic surgeon. 

Salary is commensurate with work experience, and is competitive for the Chicago area.

Job Summary

The Physician Assistant (PA) plays a vital support role in our organization. In general, this individual is responsible for providing professional patient care and assistance to the Physician/Surgeon and the clinical staff. The Physician Assistant will be primarily involved with direct patient care in support of the physicians of the practice. Assists the physician in the outpatient clinic and hospital settings following protocols established by the physician and written practice guidelines to facilitate effective medical care and patient safety. The person in this position functions in the multiple settings (operating room, clinic) under the supervision of their assigned physician; may perform activities which involve an initial evaluation and treatment of the patient’s condition, as defined in the scope of the State of Illinois standards and the Physician Assistant Practice Act.

Job Responsibilities 

• Hospital/Surgical Center Responsibilities (as applicable)
•    Assist the Surgeon by rounding on patients in the hospital as directed. 
•    Performs hospital consults as directed
• Assists the surgeon with major and minor surgical procedures in the operating room.
• Positions, preps and drapes the patient, as needed.
• Closes surgical wounds and performs post-operative wound care
• Applies dressings, casts, splint brace, abduction pillows, etc.
• Performs minor surgical procedures within scope of licensure.
• Performs and/or assists with patient traction, adjustment, realignment and removal of traction.
• Responsible for coordinating patient care between the office and the hospital, writing orders for surgical patients both pre and post operatively, and reporting the condition of care of hospitalized patients to the physician. 
• Coordinates patient discharge: prescriptions, discharge instructions, discharge summary, patient education
• Ensure operative reports are dictated no later than 48 hours after procedure
• Participates in on-call activities assigned by the physician according to the medical center policy on allied health.

Office

• Sees patients in the clinic both independently and with supervision. Dictates clinic progress notes. Orders appropriate tests and develops patient treatment plans with physician approval.
• Dictates H&P’s, consultations and discharge summaries.
• Performs joint aspirations/injections.
• Interprets x-rays.
• Applies casts, splints, braces, etc. under supervision of the physician.
• Removes staples, sutures, drains, etc.
• Assists in fielding/triaging physician calls.
• Reviews lab results, x-rays, and MRI/CT results prior to entering patient exam room
• Confers with physician regarding new patient findings and potential diagnosis and treatment.
• Administers therapeutic injections and performs minor procedures as needed
• Reviews pre-operative instructions and explains the surgical process to patients who are about to have surgery
• Provides diagnosis and treatment services to established patients and postoperative patients 
• Prescribes medications, treatments, in accordance with physician protocols and ensures that all prescriptions and required notes are in patient’s medical record
• Formulates and updates patient care plans; consults with physician as needed
• Orders pre-operative tests, CT scans, and MRIs, and docu