Physician Assistant

Skyland Trail serves adults with mental illness through innovative and individualized treatment that improves mental, physical and social well being.

Scope: * In collaboration with physicians and the interdisciplinary team performs examinations, evaluations, diagnoses, treatment, and consultation for patients with both mental illness and physical illnesses.Manages co-morbid medical conditions of patients, and provides evidence-based preventive services to improve the overall quality of life for patients. Duties: * Performs medical examinations and evaluations, obtains medical histories, and provides diagnoses, treatment, follow-up, and consultation. * Assesses, diagnoses, monitors, coordinates and manages patients’ health or illness over time. * Correctly determines the scheduling of follow-up visits to appropriately monitor and evaluate the patients’ status of health or illness, utilizing Primary Care Clinic protocols when appropriate. * Develops service protocols and policies in partnership with Chief Medical Officer. * Safely prescribes medication based on efficiency and cost as legally authorized in the state of Georgia. Must be able to select and prescribe correct dosages, routes, and frequencies of medications based on individual patient characteristics. * Counsels patients regarding drug regimens, side effects and interactions with food and other drugs. * Shares call with medical staff for the purposes of providing emergency support to current patients; uses good clinical judgment for triage. * Participates in recovery team meetings in order to communicate patients’ health issues and concerns, and to coordinate care with other interdisciplinary staff. * Completes documentation of all services provided within 24 hours of the service delivery date using appropriate codes and billing procedures in the electronic health record. * Completes billing forms as needed for reimbursable services. * Provides health education to patients, families, and/or staff as needed. * Supervises nursing staff at the residential facilities. * Administers medications as needed according to the requirements outlined in organizational policies and procedures. * Practices safety, environmental, and/or infection control procedures according to facility policy. * Participates in the Health and Safety Committee, the Performance Improvement Committee, the Medication Management Committee, and the Integrated Care Committee. * Appropriately consults with and informs supervising physicians with necessary medical information. * Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Competencies: This position should have sufficient preparedness in the following areas: * Ability to maintain quality, safety, and/or infection control standards * General computer skills (word processing and email) * Knowledge of health education theory and practice * Knowledge of related accreditation and certification requirements * Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community * Knowledge of clinical operations and procedures * Ability to supervise and train employees, to include organizing, prioritizing, and scheduling work assignments * Knowledge of current principles, methods and procedures for the delivery of medical evaluation, diagnosis and treatment in area of expertise * Outstanding working knowledge of current preventive medicine expectations as well as benchmarks for mental, physical health interventions * Clinical judgment to triage, treat, or refer patients to appropriate care Qualifications: * Master’s Degree in nursing with one to two years of experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified * State of Georgia Certified Nurse Practitioner / Physician Assistant active licensure * Evidence of continued medical education to remain informed and updated on current medical standards of care * Unrestricted DEA licensure * Demonstrated ability to develop and implement evidence-based health protocols