Physician Associate

Physician Associate - Breast Care Center

Location Site: Salem Hospital Main Campus

Department: Breast Care Center

Position Type: 1.0 FTE

Schedule Type: Full time

Pioneering healthcare since 1896, Salem Health is a top workplace offering market-leading pay where you can make a difference in the lives of those in the community where you live. Through incorporation of Lean driven principles, staff are able to effect change in the organization to solve problems and drive continuous improvement.

As an employer of choice, we are devoted to assuring that we provide a safe, healthy, and patient-centric workplace, while keeping staff well-being and satisfaction top of mind.

Your Role With Us:

As a Breast Care Center Physician Associate at Salem Health, you will play a pivotal role in providing comprehensive care to patients in both the outpatient clinic and hospital settings. Working under the direction of a supervising physician, you will collaborate closely with a multidisciplinary health care team to deliver high-quality care, ensuring that each patient receives personalized, expert attention. In this role, you will manage a diverse range of cases, from initial consultations and diagnostic workups to post-procedure follow-ups. Your contributions will include hands-on patient care, patient education and participation in clinical research. This position offers a fulfilling blend of independent patient management and teamwork, allowing you to make a significant impact on the lives of patients navigating breast care and oncology services.

What You'll Do

Job Related:

• In collaboration with physicians and other members of the health care team, directly manages the care of patients via face-to-face, telehealth, or other communication means.

• Provides patient education.

• Participates in clinical research activities, including obtaining informed patient consent, as directed by collaborating physician(s). Satisfactorily performs other duties as assigned by the medical director or physician leader.

• Performs all duties in a timely, professional, appropriate manner, and in accordance with the PA's collaboration agreement

Hospital:

• Rounds on admitted, consult, pre-procedure, and post-procedure patients
• Performs admission, pre-procedure and post-procedure history, physical examination, evaluation, and management of patients.
• Acts as liaison with hospital staff.
• Orders and interprets laboratory tests, EKGs, imaging, and other diagnostic studies per approved privileges, collaborating with other members of the health care team as needed.
• Commensurate with hospital privileges writes orders, including but not limited to medications, blood products, nursing activities, rehabilitation or social services, patient transfer, and patient discharge.
• Counsels patient and obtains informed consent
• Maintains accurate patient records through documentation of all necessary information.
• Prescribe and monitors medications, including controlled substances
• Assists with procedures and surgeries that may include Plastic surgery services up to 50% of the time collection and analysis
• Performs procedures commensurate with hospital privileges.

Participates in data Office:

• Conducts thorough medical histories, physical examinations, orders and analyzes laboratory, imaging, or other diagnostic studies to establish a working diagnosis and treatment plan.
• Communicates results of laboratory and diagnostic studies to patients.
• Conducts pre-procedure history, physical examination, and evaluation.
• Conducts post-procedure follow-up visits.
• Advisement of patient scheduling based on concern of disease.
• Performs procedures commensurate with privileges.
• Prescribes and monitor medications, including controlled substances.
• Educates patients regarding their diagnosis, treatments, and potential side effects.
• Counsels patients and obtains informed consent.
• Collaborates with other members of the health care team.
• Refers patients to other health care professionals as appropriate.
• Assists in data collection and analysis.
• Ensures continuity of care by serving as a liaison between, patients, healthcare team members, and clinic staff.
• Other duties as directed by medical director or physician leader.

Customer Service (this applies to internal and external customers, referring clinics, vendors, suppliers, contractors, and other business associates of Salem Health):

Welcomes and greets in a friendly manner...

• Takes opportunities to assist patients, staff and others.
• Listens with attention and shows interest; provides good eye contact and body language
• Goes the extra mile to meet others' needs
• Provides excellent communication, keeping people informed, responding to messages in a timely manner.
• Acknowledges the other person's perspective and takes that into account when responding.
• Answers questions thoroughly and in a polite manner.
• Consistently makes a positive impression during each interaction, including adhering to the Salem Health Dress Code Policy.
• Teamwork (this applies to any fellow Salem Health employee, both within the same clinic and companywide):
• Takes opportunities to assist fellow workers without being prompted.
• Remains sensitive to the needs of others.
• Offers constructive feedback where appropriate, maintaining a positive and non-judgmental tone.
• Accepts accountability when appropriate and avoids finger pointing.
• Takes responsibility in dealing with interpersonal issues as they arise.
• Remains flexible in response to changes in the work environment.
• Keeps relevant team members informed and responds to requests in a timely manner.
• Promotes a positive work environment by supporting teammates and recognizing the contributions and hard work of others.
• Knowledge/Skills/Abilities
• Knowledge of acute and chronic care protocols, administration of medications, and delivery of physical care following treatment plans
• Knowledge of how to assess patient health and measure/record physiologic indices
• Knowledge of basic information technology and computer applications.
• Skill in evaluating and revising care plan based on patient changes
• Maintains professional behavior at all times
• Ability to communicate effectively
• Ability to maintain positive working relationships with physicians, hospital and office staff, patients and their families
• Ability to comply with all applicable safety/OSHA procedures and requirements

Background/Expertise:

• Graduation from a PA program accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) or its predecessors, e.g., CAHEA, CAAHEP.
• One (1) year of experience as a surgical PA preferred.
• Experience in oncology practice preferred.
• Experience in breast care practice preferred.
• Successful completion of the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE)
• Current certification by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA).
• Current PA license in good standing issued by the Oregon Medical Board (OMB).
• Maintenance of American Heart Association ACLS certification.
• Knowledge of Lean methodology preferred

Total Rewards Offerings:

• Market leading base salary
• Generous hiring incentives including start bonus, education assistance and relocation.
• CME annual stipend with dedicated time off
• Paid time off
• Comprehensive benefits
• Retirement plan with employer contributions
• Public service loan forgiveness eligible employer

Why Salem Health and Clinics?

At Salem Health and Clinics, we take pride in our status as an award-winning, independent health care institution providing the region with its only Level II trauma center and 644 acute care beds. With multiple primary care clinics throughout the community and West Valley Hospital, a 25-bed community hospital in Dallas, OR, we ensure comprehensive and accessible care for all. Our independence empowers us to make nimble, patient-centric decisions without external constraints, fostering an environment where our physicians can shape and elevate the quality of care we provide to our community. Recognized as a Top Workplace in Oregon and honored multiple times by the community, Salem Health fosters a supportive and rewarding work environment.

Welcome to Oregon's Willamette Valley

Offering a unique blend of natural beauty and cultural richness, Salem is a wonderful area to call home. Nestled in the heart of the Willamette Valley, enjoy the breathtaking scenery of lush vineyards and picturesque landscapes, creating an ideal environment for all outdoor enthusiasts. Our vibrant community fosters a welcoming atmosphere, with diverse cultural events, local festivals and a thriving arts scene, ensuring there's always something exciting to explore. Additionally, Salem's strategic location provides easy access to the culture of Portland, the stunning Oregon coast and the majestic Cascade Mountains, offering a myriad of recreational opportunities year-round.