Physician Assistant (Emergency Medicine)

Johns Hopkins, founded in 1876, is America's first research university and home to nine world-class academic divisions working together as one university.

The Department of Emergency Medicine is seeking a Physician Assistant to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary health care team. Responsible for complex, standardized, patient care procedures that require experience and specialized training that would otherwise be performed by a physician. Educates patients and families in matters pertaining to health maintenance, disease prevention and appropriate measures in acute and chronic illness. Direct supervision from appropriate licensed physician as designated.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

• Perform a comprehensive, accurate history and physical including chief compliant, presenting signs and symptoms, and past medical history and interval history.
• Recognize differences between normal and abnormal findings in H & P. Significant findings are validated or discussed with a physician as appropriate.
• Order and interpret laboratory tests, x-rays, diets, physical therapy, inhalation therapy or other services when delegated by a supervising physician. Abnormal findings are discussed with a physician as appropriate.
• Initiate IV therapy by peripheral, central, intraosseous routes, and venous cutdown. Perform injections, arterial puncture, venipuncture, and arterial line insertion.
• Initiate Basic/Advanced life support in response to emergency situations.
• Prepare chart documentation for review and counter signature by the physician.
• Determine differential diagnosis.
• Maintain technical proficiency with approved procedures including suturing, wound care and orthopedic care.
• Prescribe and regulate medications.
• Evaluate outcomes of previously implemented interventions.
• Arrange consultations and referrals when needed.
• Attend staff meetings to discuss patient and unit requirements. Daily informal discussions are held with the physician and other health professionals to plan patient care.
• Give input for design of research protocols and procedures.
• Responsible for the conduct of EM sponsored clinical trials including regulatory issues, recruitment and good clinical practice. Coordinate the implementation of protocols in conjunction with the other staff members. Oversee daily operations for clinical research protocols in collaboration with other staff. Responsible to obtain Informed consent from study participants.
• Remain proficient in the utilization of commonly used clinical protocols and guidelines.
• Remain abreast of new treatment modalities and technologies within the field of Emergency Medicine. Maintain competencies with the use of Med/Surg instruments and equipment.
• Participate in the interviewing process of clinical staff. Makes hiring recommendations. Can recommend discipline.
• Use professional judgment and assumes complete responsibility for any decisions, their consequences, and results.
• Prioritize and organize work to meet the changing needs of the unit and patient care needs.
• Coordinate and make decisions regarding patient care.
• Develop collaborative relationship with supervising physician determining need and timing of communications.
• Exchange routine medical information with appropriate members of the health care team while maintaining patient confidentiality.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree; Certification by the NCCPA or similar national certifying body; Completion of a CAAHEP certified Physician Assistant program. Must be licensed as PA in State of Maryland or other state where practicing.
• Current CPR certification required. Must maintain current licensure and certification during duration of employment.
• Additional education may substitute for required experience and additional related experience may substitute for required education beyond a high school diploma/graduation equivalent, to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.

Preferred Qualifications

• Emergency Medicine experience desirable.
• Working knowledge of the formal and informal policies, procedures and practices necessary to facilitate safe and effective management of acute and chronic illness in patients presenting in the ED.