Physician Assistant (PA)

Puget Sound Orthopaedics is the largest independent bone and joint practice in Pierce County. In addition to three clinic locations in Lakewood, Tacoma and Gig Harbor, we also operate Lakewood Surgery Center, an outpatient ambulatory surgery center, and Puget Sound Imaging, an MRI diagnostic imaging suite. Our team comprises of 13 board-certified orthopedic surgeons, 2 podiatrists, 9 physician assistants, and a 100-member support staff. We work together with the common goal of delivering expert, individualized, and compassionate attention to every patient. Staff and providers treat the patient as a whole, guided by a set of core values that are at the “HEART” of our mission – H.E.A.R.T. stands for Honesty, Empathy, Accountability, Respect and Teamwork.

Position Summary

The certified Physician Assistant is a critical part of our team of committed, self-motivated people who provide critical services to promote and maintain our service, care, and our values. 

The role of the Proliance certified Physician Assistant is well-rounded, ideal for a self-motivated person who wants to maximize their skill set and expand their clinical knowledge. In this role, you will act as first assistant in the ASC operating room and provide clinic-based care and post-operative care; and may provide surgical assistance in the hospital OR, and/or perform rounding on patients within the hospital.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

The key duties and responsibilities of the Physician Assistant include, but are not limited to:

• Greeting/ identifying patient & completing and documenting an accurate history and physical examination of patients; may include moving and positioning patients

• Conducting comprehensive or episodic health assessments and developing patient care plans
• Ordering and interpreting tests, treatments, and therapies, within the scope of practice
• Prescribing medications, diet, supplies, prosthetic devices, and other home health aides according to clinical privileges
• Administer and/or inject medications
• Wound care; apply or remove casting, splinting, wound dressing; suture and staple removal, etc.
• Instruct and counsel patients regarding the total treatment plan & therapeutic regimes
• Providing clear, concise, and accurate information regarding patient care in the medical record       
• Obtain/maintain technical familiarity and proficiency for specific surgical procedures prior to their performance
• Remain proficient in the utilization of commonly used clinical protocols and guidelines
• Assist in Surgical Procedures

• Hospital rounds, including patient care, charting & all paperwork/documentation, and interacting with the patient and family/care givers, staff, consultants, and discharge planners.
• OPTIONAL Primary or secondary trauma call coverage

• OPTIONAL Emergency Room: includes evaluating and treatment of patients
• Answering service coverage and responsibilities
• The ability to initiate Basic/Advanced life support in response to emergency situations.
• Provides education to patients, families, and significant others using established education materials
• May provide other clinical duties within the scope of practice as directed under a patient’s care plan
• Advocates for patients, families, co-workers, the community, and the health care profession
• Integrates evidence-based knowledge and clinical expertise in decision-making
• Seeks experiences and formal and independent learning activities to maintain and develop clinical and professional skills and knowledge
• Establishes an effective relationship with the supervising physician
• Complete duties and assist others as directed
• Must follow all policies as introduced during new associate On-Boarding, updated real-time and outlined in Associate Handbook

Education/Experience

• Graduate of accredited Physician’s Assistant Program
• Washington State Physician Assistant License, Current
• Current Certification as a physician assistant by the National Commission of Physician Assistants (NCCPA)
• Current CPR and BLS from the American Heart Association
• Two years prior experience in surgery preferred

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Advanced physical assessment and critical thinking skills required
• Ability to listen, interact and communicate verbally and in writing
• Required: Comprehensive knowledge of surgical procedures, techniques, Standards of Care, instrumentation, equipment, and supplies as they directly correlate to the specialty.

• Superior customer service skills
• Great interpersonal skills; demonstrating patience, composure and cooperation; working well with all patients, physicians and staff.
• Advanced understanding of and adherence to all safety, risk management and precautionary procedures, including the consistent respect for confidentiality (HIPAA)
• Using time efficiently, with meticulous attention to detail, accuracy and completion
• Ability to manage multiple factors for the best result.
• Resourcefulness in addressing first level problems and tenacity to see things through to solution

• Ability to remove oneself personally from given situations, remaining objective
• Able to adapt to change, delays or unexpected events while maintaining a positive mindset
• Clear oral and written communication
• Ability to provide feedback to improve performance
• Self-motivated; able to work following specific guidelines and in accordance with detailed instructions; measure self against standard of excellence, overcome obstacles and challenges with little supervision

Work Environment/Physical Demands

The work environment/physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by a teammate to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable differently abled persons to perform the essential functions.

Work may be performed in an office and clinical environment. Requires corrected vision and hearing to normal range. While performing the duties of this job, the associate is regularly required to talk or hear. The associate is required to sit for long periods of time, stand and walk, bend and stretch. Use of telephone and computer is required. Manual dexterity required for use of computer keyboard. Occasionally lifts and carries items weighing up to 40 pounds. May requires working under stressful conditions or working irregular hours.