Overview

Physician Assistant Joint Base San Antonio

Time to invest in some new footwear because if you’re San Antonio-bound, you’d better show up in boots ! The Alamo City is one of the military’s most envied postings and is often referred to as “Military City USA”. Low cost of living, affordable homes, and the lack of state tax on retirement income are a few financial perks to living and retiring in this Texas city. A robust job market that seems partial to government and defense/security contracting ensures employment opportunities for spouses or transitioning service members. San Antonio is the country’s seventh fastest growing city yet has somehow managed to retain a “small town feel.” Quality schools and friendly locals (most with military ties) are additional perks to living in San Antonio.

Some things you should know before you get here: trucks are the norm (the bigger, the better), love for The Spurs (NBA) runs deep, the H-E-B obsession is real (it’s a grocery store), rodeos are life, and don’t call it “San Antone”—that’s just wrong. The community boasts a vibrant Hispanic population, and enhances everything from the food, to the music, to community events. You don’t necessarily need to speak Spanish to get around, but you’d better know how to say barbacoa, tamales, and cascarones.

Name brand shopping (IKEA is the latest arrival of note), restaurants, and all variety of entertainment all add to San Antonio’s quality of life. SeaWorld, the San Antonio Zoo, Six Flags Fiesta Texas, and downtown museums are all fun outings for kids and families. Tube or kayak down a river, play or fish in the lakes, or relax by San Antonio’s famous downtown River Walk. Museums, art galleries, and historical landmarks— remember The Alamo? —round out San Antonio’s cultural offerings. Tex-mex cuisine arguably originated here, and some up and coming culinary trendsetters are making a name for themselves in the Pearl District downtown, alongside several notable breweries.

San Antonio has over 300 days of sunshine with some hot summers, mild winters and pleasant spring and fall seasons. San Antonio is in Bexar County (it’s pronounced “BEAR”) in south central Texas, and is just south of the gorgeous Hill Country. It’s only about two hours from Austin, the beach, or the desert.

Working for the Department of Defense comes with an abundance of benefits and perks to include competitive compensation packages, paid-time off, medical benefits, student loan repayments, and retirement package with Thrift Savings Plan to include matching employer contributions. For more information, please visit the following link: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/benefits/

Responsibilities

POSITION DUTIES:

Serves as an Orthopedic Physician Assistant (PA) in the Department of Orthopedics, Orthopedic Surgery Service, Multispecialty Trauma Clinic and Orthopedic Acute Care Clinic, Brooke Army Medical Center, (BAMC). The Orthopedic Services directly impacts the Command’s mission of a level 1 Trauma Center and initiatives to support civilian medical/surgical emergency treatment. Serves as a subject- matter expert on Orthopedic Trauma and Musculoskeletal illness and diseases, diagnosis and treatment. BAMC is a Trauma I medical treatment facility that provides the highest level of surgical care to trauma patients. The facility also includes an education program; preventive and outreach programs; coverage by general surgeons and prompt availability of care in varying specialties-such as orthopedic surgery, neurosurgery, plastic surgery, anesthesiology, emergency medicine, radiology, internal medicine, oral and maxillofacial surgery, and critical care that are needed to adequately respond and care for various forms of trauma that a patient may suffer. Additionally, the center has a research program and is a referral resource for communities in nearby regions.

1. The Multispecialty Trauma Clinic / Orthopedic Acute Care Clinic are 24 hour operations. Incumbents will Staff the Orthopedic Acute Care Clinic on rotating shifts providing advanced and complex multidisciplinary Orthopedic treatment to injured active duty soldiers, reserve soldiers, military beneficiaries and civilian trauma patients. Incumbents are subject- matter experts on musculoskeletal illness and disease process diagnosis and treatment. Serves as an physician assistant on the Multispecialty Trauma team and Orthopedic Surgery Service in the capacity of a credentialed physician assistant to provide diagnosis, acute life and limb saving interventions, therapeutic decisions and management of complex musculoskeletal patients with acute and chronic injuries under the direction of a board eligible or certified Orthopedic Surgeon. Serves as a subspecialist consultant to other departments, services, and health-care providers for a variety of diseases and conditions marked by acute injuries and chronic diseases resulting in musculoskeletal impairment. Recognizes complicated cases and emergency medical problems and manages these or consults a higher level medical specialist for diagnosis and treatment. Incumbent practices in the hospital setting, the clinic and the operating room assisting with routine and emergency cases affecting Wounded Warriors and trauma patients. Maintains Advanced Cardiac Life support and Basic Life Support (BLS). Interprets and correlates radiologic, laboratory and diagnostic procedures. Interprets and correlates subjective and objective data to formulate a differential diagnosis and establish a working diagnosis. Formulates treatment plans for complex pathophysiology and chronic illness within the scope of practice and as such is the subject matter expert on musculoskeletal illness and disease process diagnosis.

As the only Level-1 Trauma Center in the DoD, Ortho PAs in SAMMC’s Multispecialty Trauma Clinic / Orthopedic Acute Care Clinic are required to provide their expertise and knowledge regarding the current patient referral guidelines and through their research and proven theories make updates and changes for referral to MSK sub-specialty care.

Implements therapeutic interventions for specific conditions when appropriate. Exercises judgment on problems requiring consultations, referrals, or evaluations by the supervising surgeon. Orthopedic Physician Assistant independently performs complex specialty procedures such as but not limited to, digital blocks, regional anesthesia, and minor outpatient surgical procedures to include wound closure, wound management, wound debridement, incision and drainage, and needle biopsy. Performs diagnostic and therapeutic procedures such as but not limited to joint and bursa aspiration, closed reduction of fractures and dislocations, injections of joints tendons, trigger point and bursa, as well as brace, cast and splint applications. The Ortho Acute Care PA may be required to assist in surgery under the complete supervision and direction of the Orthopedic Surgeon in trauma situations. The Orthopedic PA collects, and performs appropriate radiologic, laboratory or diagnostic procedures and studies including, but not limited to, blood and tissue specimens. Performs diagnostic studies and procedures such as, but not limited to, electromyography, compartment pressure measurements including, special x-ray examinations, CT, MRI, ultrasound, nuclear medicine, and physical medicine. Based on scope of practice independently formulates treatment plans for patients, writes or dictates history and physical as well as daily progress notes or other related documentation appropriately. The Orthopedic Physician Assistants educates internal staff, nurses, paraprofessional staff, patients and caregivers about medications and treatment regimens, their complex mechanisms of actions and potentially dangerous side effects. Incumbent must maintain accurate, legible, and complete records for all patients treated, given the complex nature of the patients medical and surgical therapies. Through research the PA has a mastery of the of developing and establishes new techniques criteria for improved, quality patient health care to clients and family members of San Antonio Military Medical Center ( SAMMC). Provides service to patients who have severe and minor Orthopedic issues requiring complex management.

2. Assists in education of surgical, primary care, emergency medicine and other house staff as well as ongoing research protocols. Serves as a liaison with case managers and other representatives in other groups caring for trauma patients and Wounded Warriors, as well as assisting in the development of guidelines, policies and procedures to improve patient care.

PAs will be faculty in the US Army - Baylor Doctor of Science Physician Assistant (DScPA) program with the same SAUSHEC required requirements: 1 publication per year averaged over 3 years; 2 active research projected or extra-mural presentations; conference leader or hospital committee leadership; and contribute to the DOO military relevant scholarship.

Makes independent decisions based on scope on patient dispositions and assists in transfer or admission of patients with physician supervisor. Refers patients with complex or unresolved conditions to supervising surgeon or subspecialty physician teams as applicable i.e. (Ortho Hand, Total Joint or Sports Medicine). Conducts consultations in person and over the phone with physicians, other physician assistants, or other health care providers, making recommendations and giving guidance for treatment options and providing links between the Orthopaedic Acute care, Multispecialty Trauma service, Orthopedic Surgery Service and other consulting services and primary teams.

Attends all morning conferences, continuing medical education classes, in-services, and required short courses to maintain certification and license as a physician assistant. Researches and develops new techniques and methods of patient care. Supervises and assists in training paraprofessionals during their Orthopedics rotations. The Physician Assistant must maintain a rigorous continuing medical education curriculum, focused on the areas of orthopedics, physical medicine, neurology, neurosurgery, primary care and psychiatry.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

1. Incumbent must obtain and maintain all current regulatory requirements for certification and/or licenses. Must possess the prescribed credentials and/or license for practice approved by a nationally recognized professional body. Clinical privileges will vary among employees within the scope of practice since each direct primary care provider will have differences in education and experience, (e.g., Family Practice, Emergency Room, Physical Exam, Occupational Health, etc.), as well as any physical handicaps or limitations. Must obtain and maintain a current certification through the National Commission on Certification for Physician Assistant (NCCPA). Incumbent must also maintain a current Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications.

2. This position is subject to Section 231, Crime Control Act of 29 November 1990; Section 13041, Title 42, United State Code; and Section 1094, National Defense Authorization Act (for fiscal years 1992 and 1993) of 5 December 1991. Employee must obtain and maintain a favorable result from a criminal history background check as a condition of employment.

3. Employee is required to pass a pre-appointment physical.

4. Employee will be required to wear and use personal protective equipment as required and provided by the employer.

5. In accordance with memorandum, Assistant Secretary of Defense (Health Affairs), 23 October 1996, DOD civilian personnel hired on or after 1 January 1997 and with duties involving direct patient contact are subject to complete a series of three immunizations against Hepatitis.

6. Work is subject to rotating shifts and/or irregular tours of duty to include weekends, nights, and/or holidays, depending on area of assignment.

7. This position requires prescribed credentials and/or license for practice in the capacity of a direct health care provider. Clinical privileges will vary among employees within the scope of practice for each health care provider's education and experience.

8. This is an inclement weather position. The incumbent is expected to make every attempt to report for duty on time and/or remain on duty during inclement weather conditions.

9. Occasional TDY – 5%

Apply for this Job Online (https://careers-civilianmedicaljobs.icims.com/jobs/8412/physician-assistant-%28orthopedics%29/job?mode=apply&apply=yes&in_iframe=1&hashed=-336268516)

Location US-TX-JBSA Fort Sam Houston

Job ID 2024-8412

Category Medical

Salary Range Very Competitive

Recruitment Bonus Negotiable

Relocation Assistance Negotiable

Student Loan Repayment Negotiable