Physician Assistant

The Physician Assistant / Nurse Practitioner, under clinical supervision of a physician and general supervision of an administrative manager, provides direct healthcare to patients in a clinical setting. Evaluates total health care needs of patients and develops plans to meet those needs. Travis County offers a premier Total Rewards package that includes a highly rated retirement plan, vacation, and sick leave, 12 company holidays, 3 personal holidays, longevity pay, tuition reimbursement, medical, dental, and vision and a free employee health care clinic. DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS: This is a job classification within the Medical job family. Incumbents perform highly advanced health care duties that require a high degree of initiative and independent judgment. Incumbents perform a wide range of medical duties and may also be responsible for treatment of patient and follow-up care. The Physician Assistant (PA) and Nurse Practitioner (NP) differ from the Registered Nurse II in that the Physician Assistant is trained in an intensive education program and works directly under the supervision of the physician, who remains medically, legally and administratively responsible for the Physician Assistant's work. The Nurse Practitioner is a registered nurse who is prepared for advanced nursing practice by virtue of knowledge and skills obtained through an advanced educational program of study. Nurse Practitioners may act independently and/or in collaboration with other health care professionals in the delivery of health services. The Nurse Practitioner may provide focused healthcare services in an area of clinical specialization. This classification requires work in secure facilities. This classification may require a flexible work schedule in order to meet the needs of the department.   * Provides direct healthcare to patients, including performing physical assessment of patients using observation, inspection, auscultation, palpation and percussion. Orders and/or performs laboratory studies, interprets studies and reports normal and abnormal findings to a physician after specified screening procedures. * Designs medical treatment plans for multiple patients. * Routinely responsible for suturing lacerations, incising and draining infections, and performing x-rays to determine infections or fractures. * Secures and evaluates complete medical histories of patients. Refers patients with abnormal findings to appropriate medical/psychological specialists for care. Provides healthcare within the scope of practice. * Consults with clinical and administrative staff about patient health care issues. * Maintains inventory and security control of medical supplies, including drugs. Fills and dispenses medicines within the scope of practice and supervises self-administration as necessary and appropriate. * Provides counseling on health maintenance of chronic diseases, nutrition, family planning, general health care, preventable illnesses, cancer and minor accidents. * Plans, promotes, demonstrates, recommends and coordinates high standards of patient care practice. * Manages patient and daily care programs in general health or in area of specialty. Introduces innovations in patient care and health programs. * Answers medical questions from staff, patient's relatives and others as appropriate. * Reads medical journals and attends seminars to stay current on medical practices. * May direct subordinate members of the health care team in the delivery of healthcare. * Performs other job-related duties as assigned. Education and Experience: If Physician Assistant: Graduation from an accredited Physician Assistant program AND one (1) year of Physician Assistant experience. Licenses, Registrations, Certifications, or Special Requirements: Current license to practice as a Physician Assistant (PA) in the State of Texas. Current Certification as a Physician Assistant (PA). Current Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certification. If Nurse Practitioner: Graduation from an accredited Nurse Practitioner program AND one (1) year of Nurse Practitioner experience. Licenses, Registrations, Certifications, or Special Requirements: Current license to practice nursing in the State of Texas. Current Nurse Practitioner (NP) Certification. Current Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certification. All applicants are required to attach a resume with the online application. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Knowledge of: * Standard healthcare practices. * Policies, practices, procedures and terminology related to healthcare. * Federal, State, Local and County healthcare laws and requirements. * Diagnosis and treatment of a variety of diseases and injuries. * Proper dosages and expected results of medication. * Proper infection control techniques. * Principles and procedures of medical documentation and record keeping. * Knowledge of and adherence to HIPAA and other federal and state laws requiring the confidential handling of certain health information. Skill in: * Diagnosing and treating a broad range of patient diseases and injuries. * Using a variety of medical diagnostic and therapeutic equipment. * Administering cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and first aid. * Prioritizing patient needs. * Problem-solving and decision-making. * Both verbal and written communication. Ability to: * Perform diagnostic and general medical treatment examinations. * Interpret results of medical examinations and tests. * Work efficiently both independently and as part of a medical team. * Recognize and identify health symptoms. * Exercise sound judgment and react quickly in emergency situations. * Manage time well and perform multiple tasks. * Understand and precisely follow both verbal and written instructions and communicate in a concise and effective manner. * Work effectively and courteously under high-pressure circumstances. * Work in a secure environment. * Deal effectively with mentally disturbed, hostile and aggressive individuals. * Establish and maintain effective working relationships with patients, medical and other County employees and officials, and the general public. Physical requirements include the ability to lift/carry up to 35-100 pounds occasionally, visual acuity, speech and hearing, hand and eye coordination and manual dexterity necessary to operate a computer and office equipment. Subject to standing, walking, sitting, repetitive motion, reaching, climbing stairs, bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, pushing, pulling, balancing, client/customer contact, squatting to perform the essential functions. Subject to contact with communicable diseases, radiation, hazardous waste, human fecal matter and foul odors. Travis County employees play an important role in business continuity. As such, employees can be assigned to business continuity efforts outside of normal job functions. This job description is intended to be generic in nature. It is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The essential duties, functions and responsibilities and overtime eligibility may vary based on the specific tasks assigned to the position. Work Hours: 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM Monday through Friday, On-call rotation; Works some nights, weekends, holidays. Department: Sheriff Location: Austin, TX   Drug Test and Alcohol Test Required. Criminal, Credit, Driving, Education, and Employment Background Check Required.