Download Physicians Assistant - Imperial County Website

IMPERIAL COUNTY
CLASS TITLE: PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT/NURSE PRACTITIONER I
BASIC FUNCTION:
Under the direction of an assigned supervisor, perform physical examinations and provide patient
care, diagnosis, treatment and therapeutic plans in support of primary care or an assigned area of
specialty; provide referrals, counseling and assistance to clients.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:
The Physician Assistant/Nurse Practitioner I is the entry-level classification in the series.
Incumbents work under general supervision, provide a range of basic clinical services and learn
specialty area or areas of primary care. The Physician Assistant/Nurse Practitioner II is the
experienced-level classification in the series and is responsible for performing a full range of
professional assignments. Incumbents work independently, have a significant impact on clinical
services and programs, and provide support for other Department programs as needed.
REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES:
ESSENTIAL DUTIES:
Perform physical examinations and provide diagnoses and treatment to a variety of individuals
in support of primary care or an assigned area of specialty; provide patient care for a variety of
assigned health programs; establish and implement treatment and therapeutic plans; contact
and refer cases to supervising physician as needed.
Screen and evaluate medical conditions of patients; examine patients and identify illnesses,
injuries and medical emergencies; interpret laboratory tests; provide treatment and administer
first aid and emergency medical care as necessary; coordinate response to emergency
situations.
Assist patients with resolving health issues; develop and implement health care plans for
individuals; refer patients to appropriate community resources for needed health services;
follow up on health care referrals and screenings to assure medical needs are being met.
Evaluate and counsel clients regarding required travel immunizations, anti-malaria prophylaxis
and other potential health hazards in foreign countries in accordance with international
standards and regulations as assigned.
Participate in a variety of health clinics as assigned; examine children and interview parents at
health clinics to assess child health, immunization and nutritional status; provide general
medical supervision in support of assigned health services for children and youth at specialized
clinics.
Serve as a technical resource to the public concerning personal health, health services and
resources; respond to inquiries and provide detailed information concerning related issues,
treatments, medications, immunizations, standards, practices, policies and procedures.
Compile information and prepare and maintain various records and reports related to patients,
October 2006
Physician Assistant/Nurse Practitioner I - Continued
Page 2
treatment, immunizations and assigned activities; prepare a variety of mandated forms and
documentation.
Advise the public concerning various public health concerns such as rabies, influenza, head
lice, venereal disease, hepatitis and AIDS; provide technical assistance to patients and family
members regarding disease prevention and health promotion.
Communicate with personnel, various outside agencies and the public to exchange information
and resolve issues or concerns; collaborate with other community health care services and
resources in providing optimal health care to patients.
Operate standard office equipment including a computer and assigned software; utilize a variety
of medical instruments and equipment; drive a vehicle to conduct work.
Assess patients for signs of social problems affecting health such as physical or emotional
abuse; assist patients with resolving problems by providing appropriate counseling and
referrals.
Provide STD evaluation and treatment through established programs; provide STD counseling
and intervention as needed.
Consult with private medical care providers and hospitals to obtain past medical histories of
patients as needed.
Identify and report infectious diseases according to established procedures; prepare related
forms.
OTHER DUTIES:
Perform related duties as assigned.
KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:
KNOWLEDGE OF:
Diagnostic methods for illnesses, injuries and medical emergencies.
General practices, procedures, equipment and techniques involved in the identification,
treatment and resolution of health problems.
Accepted techniques and equipment used for screenings and immunizations.
Clean and sterile treatment techniques.
Basic anatomy, physiology, and medical terminology.
Diagnostic skills for medical evaluations.
Normal and abnormal values of laboratory tests and their clinical significance.
Medicine used in areas such as infant and childhood immunizations, cholera, typhoid, rabies and
Influenza.
Public health issues such as venereal disease, epidemiology, communicable diseases, and
psychology.
Normal growth and development, pathophysiology, pharmacology, nutrition, counseling and
health education principles.
Record-keeping and report writing techniques.
Oral and written communication skills.
October 2006
Physician Assistant/Nurse Practitioner I - Continued
Page 3
Interpersonal skills using tact, patience and courtesy.
Operation of a computer and assigned software.
Health and safety regulations.
ABILITY TO:
Perform physical examinations and provide diagnoses and treatment to a variety of individuals
in support of primary care or an assigned area of specialty.
Screen and evaluate medical conditions of patients and diagnose illness.
Establish and implement treatment and therapeutic plans.
Refer patients to appropriate community resources for needed health services.
Learn organization, operations, policies and objectives of assigned programs and activities.
Learn, interpret, apply, and explain rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
Serve as a technical resource to the public concerning personal health, health services and
resources.
Make decisions regarding appropriate care for patients.
Assess physical and medical status of patients.
Operate a variety of specialized medical equipment.
Maintain records and prepare reports.
Meet schedules and time lines.
Operate a computer and assigned software.
Understand and follow oral and written instruction.
Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
Any combination equivalent to: associate’s degree with course work in nursing, health care or
related field and two years of health care experience.
LICENSES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS:
Valid California Physician Assistant license, or Registered Nurse License and Nurse Practitioner
certificate issued by the State of California.
Valid California driver’s license.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
ENVIORNMENT:
Health care and clinical environment.
Driving a vehicle to conduct work.
October 2006