State of Washington Classified Job Specification
PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT, CERTIFIED
Definition
Under a sponsoring physician, provides primary, routine, urgent and emergent medical care to patients. Refers difficult and complex cases to the supervising physician and assists in further examination, diagnosis and treatment of such cases. The interpretation of findings is based on general medical knowledge and parameters, which are defined in a delegation agreement between the Physician Assistant, Certified, and the sponsoring physician. Specialties include, but are not limited to: women's health, pediatrics, adult health, family health, geriatrics, public/community health, emergency care, critical care, diabetes management and/or psychiatric/mental health.
Typical Work
Subject to the sponsorship of a qualified physician, examines patients and diagnoses their illnesses; recommends and administers routine medical treatment;
Orders and interprets laboratory examinations, analyses and X-rays; makes rounds of wards and reports on condition and progress of patients;
Oversees medical and mental health screening of patients and assesses the need for medical transfers;
Under a delegation agreement with a qualified physician, prescribes medications to patients as necessary;
Assists in instructing and/or supervising nurses, technicians and personnel assigned for special training; attends and participates in clinics and staff conferences on surgical, medical and mental conditions of various patients and their diagnosis and treatment;
Prepares case histories, reports and related correspondence;
May direct the work of lower level staff;
Performs other work as assigned.
Orders and interprets laboratory examinations, analyses and X-rays; makes rounds of wards and reports on condition and progress of patients;
Oversees medical and mental health screening of patients and assesses the need for medical transfers;
Under a delegation agreement with a qualified physician, prescribes medications to patients as necessary;
Assists in instructing and/or supervising nurses, technicians and personnel assigned for special training; attends and participates in clinics and staff conferences on surgical, medical and mental conditions of various patients and their diagnosis and treatment;
Prepares case histories, reports and related correspondence;
May direct the work of lower level staff;
Performs other work as assigned.
Knowledge and Abilities
Knowledge of: methods and principles of general medicine; methods of diagnosing and treating more common medical and/or mental disorders; hospital organization and procedures; social work and rehabilitation therapies.
Ability to: examine, diagnose and recommend treatment of physical diseases and deficiencies; interpret laboratory analyses and X-rays; prepare comprehensive case histories.
Ability to: examine, diagnose and recommend treatment of physical diseases and deficiencies; interpret laboratory analyses and X-rays; prepare comprehensive case histories.
Legal Requirement(s)
A valid Physician Assistant, Certified license provided by the Medical Quality Assurance Commission.
It is the sponsoring physician’s and the Physician Assistant, Certified’s joint responsibility to ensure a Delegation Agreement is completed between the Physician Assistant, Certified and sponsoring Physician and filed with the Medical Quality Assurance Commission.
Graduation from an accredited commission approved Physician Assistant program and successful completion of the National Certification Commission of Physician Assistant examination.
Note: Applicants must include evidence of completion of the above training program and certification at time of application. The Physician Assistant, Certified has one year from the successful completion of training to pass the certification exam.
There may be instances where individual positions must have additional licenses or certification. It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure the appropriate licenses/certifications are obtained for each position.
Persons legally authorized to work in the U.S. under federal law, including Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients, are eligible for employment unless prohibited by other state or federal law.
It is the sponsoring physician’s and the Physician Assistant, Certified’s joint responsibility to ensure a Delegation Agreement is completed between the Physician Assistant, Certified and sponsoring Physician and filed with the Medical Quality Assurance Commission.
Graduation from an accredited commission approved Physician Assistant program and successful completion of the National Certification Commission of Physician Assistant examination.
Note: Applicants must include evidence of completion of the above training program and certification at time of application. The Physician Assistant, Certified has one year from the successful completion of training to pass the certification exam.
There may be instances where individual positions must have additional licenses or certification. It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure the appropriate licenses/certifications are obtained for each position.
Persons legally authorized to work in the U.S. under federal law, including Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients, are eligible for employment unless prohibited by other state or federal law.
Desirable Qualifications
Some positions may need an active Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) registry to prescribe controlled substances.
Class Specification History
New Class. Removed Physician Assistant, Certified from 291E. Adopted June 13, 2019, effective July 1, 2019.
Revised Legal Requirements; effective June 6, 2024, due to adopted legislative action.
Revised Legal Requirements; effective June 6, 2024, due to adopted legislative action.
