Primary Care Clinic Physician Assistant – (Regular and Per Diem)

Description

THE POSITION: Under the supervision of a physician and following written guidelines of protocol, the Primary Care Clinic Physician Assistant performs medical examinations, selected diagnostic and therapeutic tasks, and other special procedures to assist in the delivery of primary care to patients of the Ventura County Health Care Agency.

Our County and Community:

Ventura County is located on California’s “Gold Coast,” nestled between the cities of Los Angeles and Santa Barbara and has a nearly perfect Mediterranean climate with an average annual temperature of 74 degrees. Residents enjoy rolling hills and sweeping ocean and Channel Island views. The beauty, weather and diverse cultural community come together to offer a wonderful quality of life.

Health Care Agency Ambulatory Care – Medical Clinics:

The County of Ventura Health Care Agency encompasses the Ambulatory Care department. Ambulatory Care is comprised of Federal Qualified Health Centers, such as primary care and specialty clinics. Thirty-four clinics are located throughout Ventura County that provide health care services on an outpatient basis. Outpatient health care services range from routine care to chronic medical conditions.

The goal of the Ambulatory Care department is to have healthy people in healthy communities throughout Ventura County. This is achieved by a team of dedicated physicians, nurses and other health care professionals that seek to set the standard in health care excellence. 

Distinguishing Characteristics:

Positions in this class are characterized by their responsibility for performing basic diagnostic, treatment, and supportive services in the care and treatment of patients as a member of a primary health care team. Incumbents receive technical direction on medical procedures from a physician, who accepts full responsibility for the health care of the patient when determining diagnosis and therapeutic treatment.

The class is distinguished from Nurse Practitioner/Senior Nurse Practitioner in that a California Registered Nurse license is not required; however, incumbents must be licensed to practice as a Physician Assistant by the Physician Assistant Board of the Medical Board of California.

Approximate Salaries

Primary Care Clinic Physician Assistant: $5,468.92 – $6,116.60 biweekly

Per Diem Clinic Physician Assistant: $68.84 – $76.99 hourly

The Per Diem Primary Care Clinic Physician Assistant is distinguished from the Primary Care Clinic Physician Assistant in that Per Diem Physician Assistants are scheduled to work on an as-needed basis to supplement staffing needs. 

EDUCATIONAL INCENTIVE: Some positions may be eligible for educational incentive. This incentive may be 2.5%, 3.5%, or 5% for incumbents in eligible positions based on completion of an Associate’s, Bachelor’s, or Master’s degree that is not required for the classification.

BILINGUAL INCENTIVE: Some positions may be eligible for bilingual incentive depending on the applicable memorandum of agreement and the needs of the department. In order to qualify for this incentive, incumbents in eligible positions must take and pass the applicable bilingual fluency examination.

Primary Care Clinic Physician Assistant and Per Diem Primary Care Clinic Physician Assistant are represented by the California Nurses Association (CNA). The Primary Care Clinic Physician Assistant is not eligible for overtime compensation. The Per Diem Primary Care Clinic Physician Assistant is eligible for overtime compensation.

The eligible list established from this recruitment may be used to fill current and future Regular (including Temporary and Fixed-term), Intermittent, and Extra Help vacancies within the Health Care Agency – Ambulatory Care. There are currently two (2) full-time, Regular Primary Care Clinic Physician Assistant vacancies to fill.

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE 

OPENING DATE: September 23, 2024 

CLOSING DATE: Continuous

Examples Of Duties

Duties may include but are not limited to the following:

• Provides complete, comprehensive, family-oriented, culturally-sensitive clinical care for patients throughout the life cycle. This includes obtaining medical histories, performing physical examinations, making diagnoses, and treating patients;
• Prescribes medications and treatment, monitors patients’ progress, and adapts treatment as required;
• Inoculates and vaccinates patients to immunize patients from communicable diseases;
• Advises patients concerning evidence-based lifestyle changes that improve patient health and works with patients to develop self-management goals;
• Coordinates with care team to provide high-quality patient care and ensure patient treatment goals are met;
• Works with high volume of patients, internal/external customers, and appropriately manage frequent changes, delay or unexpected events;
• Follows workflows that support quality improvement efforts and increase patient access;
• Explains in appropriate verbal and written language the care plan and any procedures;
• Advises nursing and related personnel as to the administration of medication and treatment; writes orders;
• Gives or determines the need for medical tests, orders laboratory tests as necessary; interprets medical tests;
• Consults with physicians and providers, referring patients to specialists when necessary, and working with other healthcare staff, such as nurses, assistants, and physicians;
• Keeps accurate and timely medical records and charts and adheres to documentation policies. Prepares various records such as progress notes, comprehensive care plans, summaries, etc. Documents gathered information in medical record as required by policies;
• Maintains an updated problem lists and medication lists for all patients assigned to the provider based on available information and clinical judgement;
• Responds to portal messages and EHR inbox in a timely fashion and provides coverage for colleagues’ inboxes when they are not available;
• Counsels patients and families about physical, medical, and mental conditions; obtains appropriate consent for treatment from patients or parent/caregiver;
• Participate in meetings, conferences, and training sessions as determined by Ambulatory Care administration;
• Follows safety protocols, including but not limited to using two patient identifiers and time-out procedures;
• Keeps all medical staff privileging requirements up-to-date, including CME requirements;
• Administers first aid or cardiopulmonary resuscitation in an emergency;
• Complies with medical laws (for example, HIPAA). Demonstrates knowledge of domestic violence, child and dependent abuse protocols and mandated reporting;
• Adheres to applicable State and Federal regulations pertaining to scope of practice and licensure;
• May perform procedures within scope of practice; and
• Performs other related duties as required.

Typical Qualifications

These are entrance requirements to the exam process and assure neither continuance in the process nor placement on an eligible list.

EDUCATION, TRAINING, and EXPERIENCE

Requires successful completion of a physician assistant training program approved by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA). In addition, a minimum of six (6) months of full-time Physician Assistant experience (preferably in the area of clinical assignment) is required.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Requires possession of a current valid license to practice as a Physician Assistant issued by the Physician Assistant Board of the Medical Board of California.

DESIRED

• Possession of a DEA license
• Possession of a National Provider Identifier (NPI)

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Thorough knowledge of: the diagnostic and treatment techniques used in practicing primary medicine; the laws and regulations governing Physician Assistants; the principles of health maintenance and disease management; health care delivery systems; basic pharmacology; community health, mental health, and preventive medicine techniques and concepts; and routine laboratory and screening techniques.

Working ability to: diagnose, treat and refer patients; assess and manage the care of patients; identify problems that require immediate consultation with a physician; maintain confidentiality of patient/client information; provide health education and counseling to patients; prepare clear and concise medical reports; work effectively with the inter-professional staff in coordinating the delivery of primary health care services; and communicate effectively, both orally and in writing. 

Recruitment Process

FINAL FILING DATE: This is a continuous recruitment and may close at any time; therefore, apply as soon as possible if you are interested in it. Your application must be received by County of Ventura Human Resources no later than 5:00 p.m. on the closing date.

To apply on-line, please refer to our web site at www.ventura.org/jobs. If you prefer to fill out a paper application form, please call (805) 654-5129 for application materials and submit them to County of Ventura Human Resources, 800 South Victoria Avenue, L-1970, Ventura, CA 93009.

Note to Applicants: It is essential that you complete all sections of your application and supplemental questionnaire thoroughly and accurately to demonstrate your qualifications. A resume and/or other related documents may be attached to supplement the information in your application and supplemental questionnaire; however, it/they may not be submitted in lieu of the application.

NOTE: If presently permanently employed in another “merit” or “civil service” public agency/entity in the same or substantively similar position as is advertised, and if appointed to that position by successful performance in a “merit” or “civil service” style examination, then appointment by “Lateral Transfer” may be possible. If interested, please click here (Download PDF reader) for additional information.

SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE – qualifying: All applicants are required to complete and submit the questionnaire for this exam at the time of filing. The supplemental questionnaire may be used throughout the exam process to assist in determining each applicant’s qualifications and acceptability for the position. Failure to complete and submit the questionnaire may result in the application being removed from consideration.

APPLICATION EVALUATION – Pass/Fail: An application evaluation will be conducted to determine whether or not each applicant possesses the required licensure and certification for this recruitment. Those candidates who do will be placed on the eligible list.

Applicants successfully completing the exam process may be placed on an eligible list for a period of one (1) year.

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: A thorough pre-employment, post offer background investigation which may include inquiry into past employment, education, criminal background information and driving record may be required for this position.

For further information about this recruitment, please contact Erin Niemi via email at erin.niemi@ventura.org or by telephone at (805) 654-2568. 

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

The County of Ventura is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation. 

YOUR BENEFITS AS A COUNTY OF VENTURA EMPLOYEE

California Nurses Association

(CNA)

To learn more about Benefits, Retirement, and the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), see links below.

• Benefits website or you may call (805) 654-2570.
• Retirement FAQ’s (Download PDF reader)
• Memorandum of Agreement

Union Code: NCN

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