• Obtains patient's health history by questioning patients or parents concerning family, personal and social history, previous illnesses, operations and accidents, allergies, immunizations, regularity and source of health care, chief complaint, history of present illness, and review of medications being used.
• Performs a complete or appropriate physical examination; takes and records temperature, height, weight, pulse, respiration, and blood pressure; performs vision and hearing examinations; administers tuberculosis tine test; collects specimens; orders appropriate laboratory tests and x-rays; performs screening and diagnostic tests following medical orders or after consultation with physicians.
• Provides a one-on-one educational and counseling service for patients; keeps abreast of new medical procedures, techniques and trends.
• Maintains accurate and complete records of all medical activities; prepares forms, reports, and prescriptions for review and signature by physician; participates in continuing education activities.
• Evaluates patients' physical, emotional, and nutritional status; identifies deviations from accepted normal standards; prepares, in consultation with a physician, an acceptable plan for health care management; administers and dispenses drugs and medication under a physician's supervision or standing orders when indicated; performs follow-up care and refers patients to medical, nursing, or community resources as required.
• Manages patients with minor illnesses or accidents and acute or chronic diseases following established medical orders or in consultation with a physician; performs clinical procedures such as cleaning and suturing lacerations, incision and draining of abscesses, splinting, dressing, administering specified medications, intravenous fluids and transfusions of blood components, carrying out aseptic and isolation techniques, and minor podiatric procedures.
• Counsels patients in general health maintenance or for specific medical problems as indicated; initiates appropriate evaluation and medical procedures in emergency situations.
• Administers and dispenses drugs and medication under a physician's supervision or standing orders when indicated; prepares an acceptable plan for health care management for confirmed diagnoses of diseases which include syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia; performs follow-up care and refers patients when indicated to medical, nursing, or community resources.
• Presents training programs to outside medical institutions upon request; orients new physicians and other primary health care providers to clinic operations to ensure adherence to established control policies; provides a consultative service to City health care providers on appropriate diagnostic, treatment, and patient management procedures relating to health care control.
• Assists in the development of protocol and procedures for clinic operations; makes recommendations to the center's administrators to improve operations and enhance effectiveness; reviews and analyzes updates from the National Center for Disease Control in order to make recommendations on policy development.
• Performs related work as required.

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• the principles, practices, literature, and current developments in the recognition and treatment of disease and health care problems.
• the clinical assessment and physical examination process.
• current trends, practices and developments in clinical medicine.
• health principles, practices and techniques with respect to clinical and related services.
• symptoms, diagnoses and treatment of sexually-transmitted diseases.
• the anatomy and physiology of the reproductive system.
• community resources available to children and adults in need of medical treatment.

SKILL IN:

• the use of stethoscopes, otoscopes, and other instruments used in physical assessment.

ABILITY TO:

• perform a complete health assessment, including a complete or partial examination, and assessment of the behavioral and social patterns of patients.
• evaluate, integrate, and interpret medical history, results of health evaluation, and results of diagnostic tests.
• develop and implement a plan of medical care under the supervision of, or in consultation with, a physician.
• record and maintain up-to-date records of patients care accurately.
• plan, develop and conduct in-service training programs for medical professionals.
• establish and maintain effective working relationships with patients, family members, physicians, and other health center staff.
• work effectively with health care providers representing a variety of professions and disciplines.
• follow oral and written instructions.
• counsel patients regarding nutrition, general health maintenance, and identified medical problems.
• counsel patients regarding sexually-transmitted disease, general health maintenance and identified medical problems.

EDUCATION:

• Completion of certified Physician Assistant Training Program which has included both theory and clinical practice, or possession of a certificate as a Physician Assistant issued by the Pennsylvania State Board of Medical Education and Licensure.

• Sufficient training and/or experience to be able to understand and speak fluently and clearly in English and a designated non-English language.

• Ability to physically perform the duties and to work in the environmental conditions required of a position in this class.

LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS, AND/OR CERTIFICATES

• Eligibility for a certificate as a Physician Assistant issued by the Pennsylvania State Board of Medical Education and Licensure at the time of application and possession of such certification within time limits specified by regulations of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania governing Licensure of Physician Assistants.

PAY RANGE: EP22
Class Established:
  CSC - 6/1986 ; Ad Board - 7/1986

Latest Spec. Revision:
  CSC - 6/1995 ; Ad Board - 8/1995

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