We are seeking a Physician Assistant (PA) who will demonstrate clinical expertise and leadership skills. Using clinical skills in the evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of patients with ophthalmic conditions and diseases, the ophthalmology PA is first line responder to the Johns Hopkins Hospital inpatient and emergency room ophthalmology consult requests. The PA assesses visual symptoms and treats any conditions within scope of practice or determines need for escalated assessment by ophthalmology medical resident or attending. The PA provides anticipatory guidance to the patient as well as patient and family education, and psychosocial and emotional support. The PA has prescriptive authority, which includes Schedule II through VI controlled substances in the State of Maryland.

The PA is responsible for the assessment of the patient’s condition, planning, implementation and evaluation of the therapeutic regimen for the department’s follow up patients. Medical and minor procedure management of these patients, within scope of practice, will be necessary for this position to meet its goals. Duties may involve evaluation and management of patients in clinical setting or enrolled in clinical research trials as well as pre-operative evaluation of patients scheduled for surgery.

The PA works independently with supervision and medical direction by Ophthalmology physicians and practices within the guidelines of the department and institution and in accordance with the physician assistant written agreement. The PA is a member of a multidisciplinary care team that requires effective communication and collaboration with co-workers and staff locally and at other collaborating institutions and agencies. The role requires advanced clinical practice skills, critical thinking, an understanding of research principles and practices, and leadership that improves the quality of care and maximizes the practice of medical care throughout the work setting and community. The PA takes advantage of formal and informal opportunities to strengthen his or her knowledge base in support of the Department’s and Johns Hopkins Medicine’s Mission, Vision, and Core Values.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

Patient Care

• Provides comprehensive, age appropriate, and acute or episodic care to patients as a member of the multi-disciplinary health care team.

• Coordinates scheduling of and conducts comprehensive and/or episodic ophthalmic health assessments of patients/families with real, potential, acute and/or chronic health problems.

• Performs history and physical examination as it relates to chief complaint following guidelines of specific Ophthalmology protocols.

• Discriminates between normal and abnormal findings in the history and physical.

• Identifies differential diagnosis.

• Assesses severity of illness and establishes plan for evaluation.

• Records and documents assessment data necessary to maintain, coordinate, and/or expedite required services.

• Orders appropriate laboratory studies, radiographic studies, and other tests specific to the diagnosis or protocol.

• Completes history and physical exam, ordering, performing, and interpreting laboratory and radiological data and establishing and implementing a plan of care based on those interpretations and observations.

• Assists in the coordination of consultation of other sub-specialists involved in the care of patients with advanced medical ophthalmic disease and post-operative patients.

• Provides outside referring physicians with reports on patient’s status by ordering, interpreting, collecting, and communicating results and recommendations to the physician.

• Provides education to patient and family members regarding diagnosis, complications, treatment and medications in order to provide them with continuous information.

• Procedures:

• Routine laboratory procedures such as cultures, smears, venipunctures, electrocardiograms, etc.

• Performs procedures in accordance with PA or NP scope of practice, including but not limited to,

Prescribes Drugs

• Prescribes medications, including oral, parenteral, intramuscular, or subcutaneous drugs.

• Prescribes Schedule 2, 2N, 3, 3N, 4, 5 drugs under the guidelines of the Maryland Nurse Practice Act and the DEA.

Fiscal responsibility

• Assumes fiscal responsibility with working knowledge of evidence based medical model.

• Effectively uses resources of the patient and the institution.

• Is aware of and adheres to specific capitations and limitations of the patient’s insurances while organizing and optimizing individualized care based on the disease state and restraints imposed by the HMO or insurances.

• Has knowledge of and utilizes all available resources in the event that the patient’s resources are limited or unavailable in order to provide medical care and social well-being.

Refers

• Works in collaboration with the physician and realizes and is able to detect those deviations from normalcy or from established protocols which require consultation and/or referral to appropriate specialty areas including physicians, nutrition, psycho-social, and other resources.

• Understands and works within the scope of the Physician Assistant written agreement and realizes limitations within the medical scope of the practice.

Minimum Qualifications

• Must be certified and licensed Physician Assistant in State of Maryland or other state where practicing.

• Residency or Fellowship programs in area of specialization may substitute for some experience.

• Current CPR certification required.

• Must maintain current licensure and certification during duration of employment.

• Completion of the JHH credentialing process is required prior to start date.

Classified Title: Physician Assistant

Job Posting Title (Working Title): CO Physician Assistant

Role/Level/Range: ACRP/04/MG

Starting Salary Range: $100,000 - $151,400 (Commensurate with experience)

Employee group: Full Time

Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:00 am - 5:00 pm

Exempt Status: Exempt

Location: School of Medicine Campus

Department name: ​​​​​​​SOM Oph Residency Service

Personnel area: School of Medicine

Equal Opportunity Employer:

Johns Hopkins University is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other occupationally irrelevant criteria. The university promotes affirmative action for minorities, women, disabled persons, and veterans.