Primary Care PA for Inpatient Psych Unit
Job Description
Primary Care PA for Inpatient Psych Unit
Compensation: $147,000–$195,000 annually
Schedule: Wednesday–Friday, 4:00 PM–12:00 AM; Saturday, 8:00 AM–12:00 AM
Hours: 40 hours per week
Employment Type: Full-Time
Setting: Inpatient Psychiatry / Behavioral Health
Position Overview
We are seeking a Physician Assistant (PA) to provide medical care to adult patients receiving inpatient psychiatric treatment. This position is ideal for either a new graduate or an experienced PA who is comfortable evaluating and managing routine medical conditions and providing primary medical care to a psychiatric patient population.
The PA will work as an integral member of a multidisciplinary behavioral health team, collaborating closely with psychiatric residents, psychiatrists, and other medical staff to ensure patients receive comprehensive medical and psychiatric care.
Schedule
The standard schedule is:
Wednesday: 4:00 PM–12:00 AM
Thursday: 4:00 PM–12:00 AM
Friday: 4:00 PM–12:00 AM
Saturday: 8:00 AM–12:00 AM
Total: 40 hours per week
The department currently has two other medical PAs. There will be overlap with another PA on Wednesdays and Saturdays, providing opportunities for collaboration and additional clinical support.
Key Responsibilities
Provide comprehensive medical care to adult patients on an inpatient psychiatric service, primarily during evenings and weekends.
Evaluate, diagnose, and manage routine medical conditions within the PA's scope of practice.
Perform medical assessments and develop appropriate treatment plans.
Respond to acute medical concerns and changes in patient condition.
Work collaboratively with psychiatric residents and the psychiatrist on duty.
Provide medical coverage in the psychiatric emergency setting as needed.
Order and interpret appropriate diagnostic studies and laboratory tests.
Initiate and manage treatment for common medical conditions.
Communicate effectively with nursing, psychiatry, and other members of the healthcare team.
Maintain accurate and timely medical documentation.
Recognize situations requiring consultation or escalation to an attending physician or other specialist.
Participate in a collaborative, patient-centered approach to care.
Qualifications
Required
Bachelor's degree.
Current New York State Physician Assistant registration.
Current New York State Physician Assistant license.
Current NCCPA certification.
Ability to provide medical care within the PA's scope of practice.
Strong interest in providing medical/primary care to a psychiatric patient population.
Experience
The ideal candidate will be comfortable independently managing routine medical problems while recognizing when additional consultation or escalation is appropriate. Experience in inpatient medicine, emergency medicine, primary care, or behavioral health is helpful but not required.
Orientation and Training
A structured orientation will be provided with the daytime medical team. The length of orientation will be tailored to the candidate's experience level, clinical background, and comfort with the responsibilities of the position.
Reporting Structure and Collaboration
The Physician Assistant will report to the Director of Medical Services for the Department of Psychiatry.
The PA will work closely with:
Psychiatric residents on call
The psychiatrist on duty
Other medical PAs
Nursing staff
Other members of the multidisciplinary behavioral health team
Compensation
The anticipated annual salary range for this position is $147,000–$195,000, commensurate with experience, qualifications, and other applicable factors.
Ideal Candidate
We are looking for a collaborative, clinically confident PA who is interested in providing medical care to patients with psychiatric illness. The successful candidate will be comfortable working during evenings and weekends, managing routine medical issues, communicating effectively with psychiatric providers, and working as part of a multidisciplinary team.
New graduates and experienced Physician Assistants are encouraged to apply.
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