The Mesquite Independent School District and City of Mesquite are seeking qualified candidates for the position of full-time Physician Assistant in the joint city/school employee health clinic.  The appointee will actually be an employee of the school district and will report directly to the health clinic physician.  The Assistant will be responsible for providing diagnostic and therapeutic medical care, assisting in the observation and evaluation of patients, evaluating case histories, conducting physical exams, ordering laboratory tests, assessing conditions, and selecting and providing appropriate treatment plans.  The Assistant will work closely with the physician, clinic manager and staff, school and city administrators, employees who are members of the respective health plans, and eligible dependents.

Mesquite ISD qualifies as a Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Employer

PRIMARY PURPOSE:

• To provide diagnostics and therapeutic medical care, assisting in the observation and evaluation of patients,  and selecting and providing appropriate treatment plans.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education/Certification:

• Completed an accredited Physician Assistant Program
• Certified by the National Commission for the Certification of Physician Assistants
• Must be licensed to practice medicine as a Physician Assistant by the Texas Medical Board
• Must maintain current Basic Life Support Certification
• Must attain continuing medical education credits as required by the Texas Medical Board

Preference will be given to applicants who:

• have a minimum of two (2) years of successful practical experience with patients
• demonstrate an interest in practicing preventative medicine and promoting healthy lifestyles
• exhibit an advanced understanding of pharmaceuticals, including a knowledge of the mechanisms of action, side effects, toxic nature, and interactions of medications
• possess a thorough understanding of the technical content of the position, as well as the ability to apply these skills to health related issues
• possess strong assessment skills, along with a logical process to gather and analyze data in order to make decisions, take action, or commit to specific assignments
• demonstrate the ability to maintain performance level in pressure situations
• demonstrate effective communication, public relation and interpersonal skills

Special Knowledge/Skills:

• Possess a thorough understanding of the technical content of the position as well as the ability to apply these skills to health related issues
• Possess the ability to develop a course of action to achieve work objectives while anticipating contingencies and develops alternate plans to meet completion deadlines
• Ability to set priorities and make adjustments to meet fluctuating workloads
• Possess excellent oral and written communication skills
• Possess the logical process to gather and analyze information in order to take action or commit to a specific assignment
• Possess strong assessment skills
• Possess the ability to handle stress of time restraints and emotional stressors
• Possess the ability to appropriately delegate responsibilities to the staff
• Respond to medical/health problems presented by patients including history taking, diagnosis, investigation, treatment and referral as appropriate;
• Must be able to perform minor surgical procedures
• Possess the ability to commission healthcare by liaising with medical professionals in the community and hospitals;
• Responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of all patients according to HIPPA
• Responsible for meeting targets set by the government for specific treatments, such as child immunizations;
• Keep up to date with medical developments, new drugs, treatments and medications
• Insuring each patient is given the “standard of care”         

Experience:

• Preference would be given to candidates with a minimum of two years practical experience with patients

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

• Provide diagnostics and therapeutic medical care and services to Mesquite ISD and City of Mesquite Employees, assist in the observation and evaluation of patients, take case histories, conduct physical examinations, and order laboratory studies
•  Skills in making diagnoses, selecting and providing appropriate treatment for medical or surgical emergencies (life or death or severe injury), as indicated until emergency assistance arrives
•  The ability to assist a patient’s condition and to initiate the appropriate treatment
•  Knowledge of pharmaceuticals to treat diseases and illness, to include knowledge of the mechanism of action, side effects, toxic nature, and drug interaction of medications
•  The ability to interpret diagnostics tests in order to determine therapeutic treatment plans
•  The ability to deal with patients on a one-on-one basis
• Perform other duties as assigned                        

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• None

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Mental Demands:
• Maintains emotional control under stress
• Interpret policies and procedures
• Make multiple decisions regarding health clinic
• Demonstration of mental quickness, ability to think on feet, and use common sense

Physical demands/environmental factors:

• Exposure to bacteria and communicable disease
• Ability to perform duties requiring prolonged standing, walking, stooping, bending and lifting

Benefits:   Two week vacation

                 5 days of CME with $2,500 for reimbursement.

                 Office closed for federal holidays

                 School district benefits - including TRS (Teacher Retirement System)

                 Daytime hours:  8:30am - 5:30pm (schedule may vary when other providers are out)

Employment begins:  As soon as possible

The Mesquite Independent School District is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of ethnicity, religion, gender, age, national origin, disability, military status, genetic information or for any other reason prohibited by law.