
Job Information
WWC Physicians PC Orthopedics PA-C in Walla Walla, Washington
Role and Responsibilities
- Performs all duties under the direction and supervision of surgeon(s) of the department and in accordance with established policies and procedures.
- Review medical history and perform examinations to provide health assessment and screen for abnormal conditions.
- Assess, diagnose and treat medical and surgical problems in accordance with department protocols and record appropriately with reviews by supervising physician. In doing so performs injections, suturing, etc.
- Performs diagnostic and therapeutic procedures including, but not limited to, joint and bursa aspirations, injections of joints, tendons, trigger points and bursa, as well as brace, case, and splint applications.
- Orders and interprets routine laboratory tests such as blood and tissue specimens.
- Orders x-rays, EKGs, and other related imaging as required.
- Scrub in and assist surgeon in the OR during surgical procedures.
- Consults with/or refers patients to department physicians, other specialists and community resources as necessary.
- Under direction of physician, provides pre- and post-operative teaching, basic instruction to patient such as changing dressings, caring for wounds, rehabilitation procedures, etc.
- Following established guidelines, removes sutures and staples from patient and reports abnormal conditions to appropriate physician.
- Orders, prescribes, dispenses, and administers medications, orthosis, orthotics, braces, and other orthopaedic devices according to standard protocols and as may be allowed by state regulation.
- Directs other medical personnel in the execution of patient care.
- According to standard protocols, provides immediate evaluation, treatment and institution of procedures essential to providing appropriate response to emergency medical problems.
- Maintains patient records through timely documentation of all necessary information.
- Maintains confidentiality of patient information.
- Maintains up-to-date knowledge of trends and developments in the field by reading appropriate articles, journals and related material, and attending seminars, conferences, and other educational opportunities.
Qualifications and Education Requirements
- National certification or eligible to sit for next exam.
- Current Healthcare Provider Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
- Ability and willingness to demonstrate and maintain clinical competency as required for area of assignment.
- Critical thinking skills with attention to detail in order to review nurse's notes. Laboratory data and other patient information when evaluating patient condition, reviewing medical records chart to prepare discharge summaries, and scheduling operating room procedures.
- Excellent communication skills to include written and verbal comprehension and expression.
- Ability and willingness to exhibit behaviors consistent with standards of service excellence and organizational values.
- Knowledgeable about scope of practice.
- Demonstrate the ability to work with minimal supervision in a fast-paced environment.
Preferred qualifications
- Experience in orthopaedics with knowledge of related anatomy and physiology, as well as procedures, applying casts, splinting, and bracing.
- Operating room experience.
- Flexibility in work schedule to accommodate fluxes in acute care volumes.
*Supervisory Responsibilities *None
*Physical demands *Ability to lift and hold up to 25 lbs. for approximately 30% of work time when positioning patient extremities, applying casts and splints, and transferring patients. Occasional lifting up to 60 lbs. during some surgical procedures. Ability to sit and type at desk for periods of time, as well as periods o