Physician Assistant/Education Officer Psychiatry Admissions Carrier Clinic - Hackensack Meridian Health

The Carrier Clinic Admissions Physician Assistant performs timely medical clearance reviews for all patients referred to Blake Recovery Center and Carrier Clinic. Assures all patients who present at Carrier's Admissions Department are appropriately evaluated and treated. Completes psychiatric history and mental status evaluations on patients and assigns them to the appropriate level of care. 3-11pm shifts, some weekend required.

1. Obtains a detailed and accurate history and identifies problems and presents information to the supervising physician. 2. Charts via written, dictation, or electronic means: admission notes, history and physical examinations, consultations, daily patient encounter notes, urgent evaluation notes, minor procedure notes, and brief post-operative notes as it pertains to patients in the inpatient or outpatient setting; present this information to the supervising physician. 3. Prescribes medications in accordance with federal and state laws and regulations under supervision of a licensed physician if approved by the New Jersey Board of Medical Examiners. Under the guidance and direction of a supervising physician and in accordance with the New Jersey Board of Medical Examiners. Prescribe controlled dangerous substances only with current state CDS license and DEA number; the physician's assistant signs his/her own name and license number, as well as the supervising physician. 4. Exhibit organizational, communication and leadership skills, initiative, accountability, responsibility, appropriate judgment, and decision making. 5. Performs medical clearances via telephone and documents review for pre-screening for medical conditions and infectious diseases to determine if further information and/or stabilization is required before accepting the patient for evaluation or transfer from another facility. 6. Provides emergency psychiatric and medical treatment to walk-ins, patients, residents, staff students, and employees. Follows all EMTALA regulations and Carrier's policies related to EMTALA. 7. Completes admission evaluations, assessment of strengths and assets, mental health status and determines the psychiatric and medical diagnosis. 8. Completes initial treatment planning: initial medication orders, status, laboratory tests, diets, etc. 9. Completes all documentation as required. 10. Responds to Utilization Management and documents requests efficiently and timely. 11. Consults with the Nursing Director/Supervisor, as needed with questions related to bed availability and/or acuity. 12. Participates in departmental performance improvement projects and protocols. 13. Documents unusual incidents and completes all incident reporting requirements. 14. EMR documentation for patients requiring special monitoring, e.g., suicide precautions, seclusion or restraints. 15. Contact family/significant others as needed. 16. Contacts referral and managed care resources as needed. 17. Participates in Medical Staff Meetings at the request of the VP and CMO. 18. Acts as Carrier's professional representative to the community and referring agencies as requested. 19. Adhere to the provisions listed in the Collaboration Agreement. 20. Required to be available throughout the shift at all times and respond to calls/pages. 21. Participate in the on-call schedule as directed by the VP and CMO, HMH Carrier Clinic. 22. Adheres to timekeeping and payroll policies. 23. Work with the VP and CMO, HMH Carrier Clinic to establish a Physician's Assistant Residency Program at Carrier Clinic. 24. Provide training and education, as appropriate, to Physician Assistant trainees and less experienced Advanced Practice Providers (APPs). 25. Other duties and/or projects as assigned. 26. Adheres to HMH Organizational competencies and standards of behavior.

Education, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required: 

1. Bachelor's degree from an accredited college/university.
2. Successful completion of an approved physician’s assistant program, accredited by the AMA Council on Medical Education.
3. Minimum of 1 year of experience in psychiatry.
4. Minimum of 1 year in psychiatry prescribing medication.
5. Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
6. Proficient computer skills that include but are not limited to Microsoft Office and/or Google Suite platforms.

Education, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Preferred:

1. Training and experience with patients across the lifespan.
2. Training and experience with patients with substance abuse disorders. 
3. Training and experience with the EPIC (Electronic Healthcare Record (EMR)) system.

Licenses and Certifications Required:

1. Active, unrestricted medical license as a Physician Assistant in New Jersey.
2. Active, unrestricted Controlled Dangerous Substances (CDS) license. 
3. Active, unrestricted Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) license. 

Licenses and Certifications Preferred:

1. Certificate of Added Qualifications (CAQ) in Psychiatry.

Contacts:  Regular contact with medical personnel, vendors, and/or visitors.