Career Opportunity

Physician Assistant - Access to City Employment (ACE) (2218)

Recruitment: REF3126G

Published: March 12, 2022

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About:

The Access to City Employment Program (ACE) seeks to hire qualified individuals with a disability into permanent entry-level jobs outside the normal civil service selection process. To be hired through the ACE Program, individuals must meet the minimum qualifications of the job and provide a Certification of Disability from the California Department of Rehabilitation or a Veterans Preference Letter from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Role description

Definition: Under supervision of a physician or physician specialist, assesses and manages the health care needs of patients in primary care and specialized clinic settings; performs and interprets physical examinations and routine laboratory, screening and therapeutic procedures; educates and counsels patients regarding matters pertaining to their physical and mental health; and performs related duties as required.

Distinguishing Features: Positions in this class provide primary and specialized care in general medical, specialty and forensic settings in collaboration and consultation with, and under the supervision of a physician. The scope of treatment performed is set forth under the provisions of the State of California Physician’s Assistant Practice Act. Class 2218 Physician Assistant is distinguished from the classes 2220 Physician and 2230 Physician Specialist in that the Physician Assistant works under the supervision of a physician who accepts total responsibility for the health care of the patient. The Physician Assistant is distinguished from class 2328 Nurse Practitioner in that the former assumes responsibility for functions which overlap the practice of medicine and are performed according to standardized procedures. Positions allocated to class 2328 Nurse Practitioner assume responsibility for independent nursing functions which do not require an order from a physician or standardized procedures, in addition to primary and specialized functions performed according to standardized procedures.

Examples of Important and Essential Duties: The class specification shall be descriptive of the class and shall not be considered as a restriction on the assignment of duties not specifically listed. (CSC Rule 7) 1. Assesses and manages the care of patients in a general medical setting or within specialty clinics of the Department of Public Health; takes medical histories; performs physical examinations utilizing diagnostic techniques; evaluates physical signs and symptoms; recognizes and evaluates patients who require the immediate attention of a physician. 2. Performs routine laboratory and screening procedures such as drawing of venous blood, taking cultures, performing and reading skin tests, EKG tracings and pap smears; interprets results of tests. 3. Performs routine therapeutic procedures such as injections, immunizations, removal of sutures, strapping, casting and splinting sprains, and incision and drainage of superficial skin infections. 4. Educates and counsels patients regarding matters pertaining to their physical and mental health, such as diets, social habits, family planning, growth and development, aging, and understanding and management of their disease; facilitates referrals of patients to appropriate health facilities, agencies and resources of the community. 5. Administers treatments and medications prescribed by physicians. 6. Maintains appropriate patient records of histories, examinations and treatments administered; presents pertinent data to the physician.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Comprehensive knowledge of: the laws and regulations governing Physician Assistants, disease conditions and procedures involved in the treatment and diagnosis of these conditions, basic pharmacology, concepts in clinical medicine and surgery, community health, mental health and preventive medicine, routine laboratory and screening techniques. Abilities and Skills to: Interview patients and compile complete and accurate medical histories, perform routine physical examinations, observe and evaluate patients’ emotional conditions, diagnose medical conditions and identify problems that require immediate consultation with a physician; assess and manage the care of patients, provide health education and counseling to patients, maintain good working relationships with other members of the health care team and prepare and maintain clear and concise patient case records and reports. Positions located in specialty areas may require appropriate knowledge and skills within the discipline.

How to qualify

License or Certificate: Possession of a valid Certification as a Physician Assistant issued by the California Board of Medical Quality Assurance.

License status must be "Renewed & Current" according to search.dca.ca.gov/

What else should I know?

Notes: n/a

Conviction History: As a selected candidate for a job, you will be fingerprinted, and your fingerprints will be sent to the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The resulting report of your conviction history (if any) will be used to determine whether the nature of your conviction (or arrest, in limited circumstances) conflicts with the specific duties and responsibilities of the job for which you are a selected candidate. If a conflict exists, you will be asked to present any evidence of rehabilitation that may mitigate the conflict, except when federal or state regulations bar employment in specific circumstances, such as: Candidates for positions with the Unified School District and the Community College District may be disqualified from consideration should their conviction history not meet the standards established under the California Education Code. Candidates for positions with the Recreation and Park Department may be disqualified from consideration should their conviction history not meet the standards established under California Public Resources Code 5164. Having a conviction history does not automatically preclude you from a job with the City. If you are a selected candidate, the hiring department will contact you to schedule a fingerprinting appointment.

Disaster Service Workers: All City and County of San Francisco employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employment with the City requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT:  All City and County of San Francisco employees are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment.  For details on how it is applicable to your employment, please click here.

The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.