PA/ARNP Hospitalist - Infectious Diseases

BASIC FUNCTION 

University of Iowa Health Care Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases is seeking a PA/ARNP Hospitalist to provide consultative care of UIHC inpatients who are expected to require complex outpatient antimicrobial therapy, predominantly intravenous outpatient therapy, through their transition to outpatient status. (This program for the provision of safe outpatient intravenous antibiotics is call the OPAT program.). Perform direct patient care including diagnostic and therapeutic services with physician supervision. Within the Physician Assistant (PA)/Physician relationship, PAs exercise autonomy when their experience caring for Infectious Disease patients allows for indirect supervision in medical decision-making and other services provided. The position also focuses on providing longitudinal outpatient care, including monitoring labs and seeing these patients in clinic until management by ID is no longer needed.

KEY AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

Provision of Medical/ Psychiatric Care; Collaboration with Care Team

• Provide care responsibilities as directed by a supervising physician for Inpatient and Outpatient Infectious Diseases consult patients who require parenteral antibiotic therapy (OPAT) or other complex antibiotic therapy upon discharge from the hospital.
• Obtain medical history and perform physical examination.
• Assess, diagnose and manage medical or surgical conditions in patients referred to ID and document findings, assessments, and plans in electronic medical record (EMR).
• Order and interpret laboratory and related studies to care for ID patients who are under the APPs care.
• Based on needs of the ID Division, provide evaluation and management of inpatients on the inpatient ID service who have not yet been assigned to an OPAT transition service.
• Based on the needs of the ID Division, provide care using expertise in Travel Medicine for patients who are seen in the UIHC Travel Clinic.
• Refer patients to appropriate specialty and subspecialty physicians as indicated by the patients’ problems.
• Evaluate, treat, and institute procedures essential to providing an appropriate response to emergency medical problems. 
• Maintain awareness of health facilities, agencies and resources in order to facilitate the appropriate referral in patients.
• Order medications for inpatients and outpatients under the APP’s care.
• Communicate as needed with referring providers and other medical personnel and health professionals to successfully execute patient care plans.

Compliance with Internal Policies and External Regulations for Safe and Effective Care Delivery and Health Profession and Education 

• Accurately and appropriately complete documentation of patient care in the EMR and other records for compliance, billing and other regulatory standards.
• Participate and/or lead in quality, safety, and process improvement activities.
• Submit charges following the policies and procedures of the Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases.

Education/ Health/ Promotion/ Research  

• Provide guidance and counseling to patients/families by providing information regarding the diagnosis and treatment.
• Provide infectious diseases education and serve as a resource for CCOM and UIHC staff and providers.
• Enhance and support the clinical educational experience of trainees including medical students, residents and other health professional learners.
• Participate in ongoing research and professional development of self and other staff. Serve on committees to enhance patient care and operations.  Incorporate research findings into practice.

Administration/ Human Resources Management  

• Assure effective communication/collaboration with all team members in the delivery of care.
• Follow prescribed practices in communicating and elevating any quality and patient safety concerns.
• Coach and recognize team members whenever appropriate.