Physician Assistant

Tulare County Health & Human Services Agency (HHSA) is actively recruiting for multiple vacancies for  Physician Assistants in the Mental Health Branch and Public Health Branch.  This recruitment will establish an employment list in order to fill immediate and future vacancies throughout Tulare County's Health and Mental Health Care Centers. The successful candidate must have the ability to maintain effective working relationships with patients, public, staff and other departments and agencies.
 
The Tulare County Public Health Care Centers offer a progressive and innovative working environment for our employees while providing comprehensive health care in the community. Services offered to the community include family and internal medicine, pediatrics, and women's health. This position is responsible for performing physical screening assessments, accurately diagnosing common medical problems and initiating treatment or making referrals to a physician as indicated. The successful candidate will work collectively and collaboratively in a multi-disciplinary team setting, acting as a liaison between the public health branch and other organizations. Visalia and Farmersville Health Care Centers are Federally Qualified Health Care (FQHC) look-alike clinics and authorized National Health Service Corp (NHSC) sites. Mid-level providers accepting a position in these sites would qualify to apply for a loan repayment of up to $50,000 for a two year work commitment.  For more information on the loan repayment program visit http://nhsc.hrsa.gov/loanrepayment/.
 
Tulare County Mental Health has two adult mental health clinics located in Visalia and Porterville. We work with community-based providers to ensure mental health services are available throughout the county. The Mental Health Services Branch is seeking a highly motivated Physician Assistant to practice medicine with physician supervision. The successful candidate will respond to crisis situations, make assessments, provide triage and follow through with appropriate treatments, which may include ordering referrals as well as voluntary or involuntary hospitalizations. The successful candidate will conduct physicals and order diagnostic studies that may require interpretation. The position offers a flexible schedule. Candidates accepting a position in these sites would qualify to apply for a loan repayment of up to $25,000 for a one year work commitment. For more information on the loan repayment program, visit https://www.oshpd.ca.gov/HPEF/Programs/APHLRP.html. 

• Provide direct and indirect patient care services, under the supervision of a physician, within the written and approved standardized procedures
• Perform complete physical examinations, compile thorough medical history, and initiate appropriate diagnostic and screening tests
• Accurately diagnose common medical problems and initiate treatment or make referral to physician as indicated
• Facilitate physician's referrals of patients to the appropriate health facilities, agencies, and resources in the community
• Explain diagnoses and treatments to clients from a culturally diverse population
• Assess clients in a variety of settings and provide treatment for common medical problems
• Recognize and evaluate situations that call for a physician's immediate attention and, when necessary, initiate treatment procedures

• Accurately document findings, notes and results in an Electronic Health Records system
• Follow and meet established Patient Centered Medical Home guidelines

• Assist the physician in providing services to clients requiring continuing care, including the review and implementation of treatment and therapy plans
• Provide mental health education to clients and healthcare staff
• Initiate and respond to care for those requiring mental health services throughout the facility

Required Qualifications
Candidates must meet the qualifications listed below by the application deadline.

• Graduation from an accredited college or university Physician Assistant program
• Possession of a Certificate or Letter of Approval to practice as a Physician Assistant issued by the California Board of Medical Examiners 

Desirable Qualifications for Health

• Two years of experience working with an Electronic Health Records system

• Have or plan to obtain a DEA number within three months is highly desirable for Mental Health positions
• Knowledge of Medi-Cal terminology and related procedures
• Experience working in the mental health field

• Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid California driver's license. Candidates selected will be required to pass a pre-employment drug and alcohol screening. Additionally, a background investigation may also be conducted. Some job classes may also require a physical exam.

• This is a qualifying position for student loan forgiveness through the College Cost Reduction and Access Act (CCRAA). Only student loan payments made after October 1, 2007 and in a qualified repayment plan are eligible. For more information you are encouraged to speak with your student loan servicer or visit: http://studentaid.ed.gov/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation.