Physician Assistant Diabetes

The Diabetes PA is an advanced practice practitioner who has a specialized knowledge and skills in diabetes through completion of a nurse practitioner program, completion of a diabetes certificate program and/or work experience in the care of patients with diabetes. The practitioner has the credentials to function in an expanded clinical role and is responsible for the daily management of diabetes patients. The practitioner has the responsibility for assessment and management of patients including diagnostic and therapeutic interventions, and continuous implementation and evaluation of appropriate plan of care. The PA works with their collaborating physician in accordance with mutually developed practice guidelines, members of the care team and is responsible to the APP Team Manager or APP Chief for the area for specific to the discipline of Advanced Practice Providers.
PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
*In clinical care, performs in the role of Licensed Independent Practitioner and is responsible to work independently and in collaboration with other providers to maintain a panel of patients
*Provides direct care, counseling, and teaching to a select patient population in both the ambulatory and inpatient settings as needed
*Works collaboratively with the Diabetes Management Services (DMS) team members to provide direct care, counseling and teaching to patients with diabetes
*Provides comprehensive diabetes education in both one-on-one as well as in group settings, which may include travel among various primary care and specialty clinic sites
*Provides patient instruction in the use of and administration of injectable medications, Continuous Glucose Monitoring systems (CGMs) and Insulin pump therapy
*Performs physical examinations and provides preventative health measures appropriate to patient needs
*Works collaboratively with physicians and other to triage diabetes-specific clinical calls from patients and direct care appropriately
*Orders, interprets and evaluates appropriate lab and diagnostic tests to assess patients' clinical problems and health care needs
*Arranges for appropriate plan of care and follow-up based on outcome of diagnostic, lab, and physical assessment findings
*Performs laboratory tests appropriate for specific patient population
*Orders medications and writes prescriptions according to organizational and regulatory policies and procedures
*Records pertinent patient care findings in the medical record
*Sets priorities for appropriates and efficient management of patient care that reflects cost effective management of time, available human resources, supplies and equipment
*Maintains interdisciplinary approach to planning and communicating patient care information by discussing patient data with appropriate physicians and other health care professionals
*Utilizes available resources and methodologies to advance practice within the division and beyond, with the aim of improving the care of all patients, particularly those most at risk for adverse outcomes
*Incorporates the concepts of health maintenance, prevention and promotion into daily practice through patient education and counseling
*Demonstrates awareness of community resources and assists staff, patients, and families to effectively utilize them
*Performs other related duties and responsibilities with the support of the diabetes program team as required

Education
Master's Degree Physician Assistant required

Can this role accept experience in lieu of a degree?
No

Licenses and Credentials
Physician Assistant MA - required

Experience
Experience as a licensed Physician Assistant preferred

QUALIFICATIONS

• Skilled in taking medical histories to assess medical condition and interpret findings.
• Experience managing a diabetes focused patient population preferred
• Experience in Research preferred
• Bi-lingual strongly preferred, Spanish or Haitian Creole preferred second languages
• Experience in Motivational Interviewing preferred
• Demonstrated knowledge of hospital-based and community-based care-strongly prefer both
• Experience working in large complex health care organizations
• Experience working with a diverse patient population
• Ability to work with a variety of information systems and databases: MS Word, PowerPoint, Access, and Electronic Health Record
• Knowledge of and-commitment to the principles of team-based care and aware of local, regional and national trends in chronic disease care redesign and transformation

Skills and Abilities Required

• Expert clinical judgement skills to function in the independent role
• Strong organizational skills
• Excellent interpersonal relationship and communication skills to collaborate with patients' families, staff, and community health workers
• Must possess the ability to function clinically both as an autonomous provider and as a member of an interdisciplinary team
• Ability to work collaboratively with a variety of clinical and administrative staff forming strong partnerships
• Ability to function at the highest level professionally and clinically
• Ability to work with frequent stress resulting from busy clinical settings and changing organizational climate
• Ability to be self-directive and demonstrate initiative in addressing responsibilities of position
• Ability to utilize appropriate problem solving and conflict resolution skills
• Ability to maintain quality control standards.
• Ability to react calmly and effectively in emergency situations.
• Ability to interpret, adapt and apply guidelines and procedures.

Working Conditions

• Fast paced clinical, in-patient and ambulatory, settings
• Frequent, daily use of computer, telephone, fax machine
• Occasional early or late meetings
• Internal and external presentations

The Brigham and Women's Hospital, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. By embracing diverse skills, perspectives and ideas, we choose to lead. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, age, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, military service, genetic information, and/or other status protected under law. We will ensure that all individuals with a disability are provided a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment.