03/24/2000 37830

SUPERVISORY PHYSICIAN

DEFINITION: This is professional medical and supervisory work in the care and treatment of patients/individuals with a physical or mental illness, injury and/or developmental disability.

An employee in this class performs professional medical care and supervisory work in a state facility, hospital, clinic, community program or in a specialized rehabilitation/habilitation program. Employees provide medical advice and consultation to professional or lay members of departments where programs require medical considerations. Employees are responsible for the medical care, treatment and supervision of patients/individuals admitted at state facility wards, buildings, cottages, or clinics. An employee supervises staff physicians or physician specialists and interns, and directs the issuance of standing orders for nursing and interdisciplinary direct care and treatment staff to implement the prescribed medical regime. Employees may assign and review the work of other physicians, interns, registered nurses and other professional and non-professional direct care and treatment personnel. Work is performed independently, subject to review by a physician of a higher grade or another administrative supervisor through consultation, review of case histories, staff reports and personal inspection.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: Supervises staff physicians or physician specialists and interns, and directs the issuance of standing orders for nursing and interdisciplinary direct care and treatment staff to implement the prescribed medical regime.

Establishes work schedules and assigns, directs and evaluates the work performed by staff physicians or physician specialists and interns to assure efficient and adequate medical coverage.

Supervises and participates in the examination of patients/individuals to diagnose disease, illness, injuries or disabilities, and assumes responsibility for their subsequent medical care and treatment.

Coordinates the provision of medical services with psychiatric, dental, podiatry, nursing and/or psychological services staff, as appropriate.

Performs professional work in medical care and treatment areas or rehabilitation/ habilitation programs, including minor surgery.

Refers patients/individuals requiring health care services not available on site to appropriate health care resources for treatment, and monitors and evaluates medical services provided.

Makes ward rounds, medical decisions and referrals on committed patients; examines and admits new patients and prepares medical records histories.

Initiates and directs staff conferences to discuss clinical laboratory testing, x-ray examination and/or other diagnostic testing results to confirm medical problems or for instructional purposes.

Advises management and administrative staff on medical and administrative problems, and on questions of policy and public relations.

Interprets federal, state and departmental rules, regulations, policies, standards and objectives of the organization or program to subordinates and other medical service providers.

Interprets contractual and administrative rights and obligations for employees and modifies work environment or process to conform to changing conditions.

Receives grievances and complaints, conducts initial investigation into causes and conditions, discusses with employee and resolves or recommends resolution to grievances or complaints.

Approves leave, schedules personnel and authorizes or assigns overtime.

Participates in continuing education programs and in community education programs.

Supervises the preparation of reports and maintenance of medical records.

Employees in this class may participate in the performance of their subordinates' work consistent with operational or organizational requirements.

Performs related work as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of the principles, practices and techniques in the field of medicine.

Knowledge of recent developments in modern methods and techniques of medical care and treatment.

Knowledge of pharmacology and their effects on human anatomy and physiology.

Knowledge of supervisory practices and procedures, rules, regulations, policies, and standards related to medical services.

Knowledge of administrative/management practices and procedures utilized in a medical facility, hospital, ward and/or clinic.

Knowledge of medical jurisprudence.

Ability to examine patients/individuals with a physical or mental illness, injury and/or developmental disability; to diagnose disease, illness, injuries or disabilities; and to prescribe, administer and direct necessary medical care and treatment.

Ability to organize, assign, supervise and review the work of physicians and other professional interdisciplinary care and treatment staff; and to consult with, instruct and/or advise nursing care and/or other interdisciplinary direct care and treatment personnel and non-medical personnel on medical issues.

Ability to interpret and use the results of x-rays, laboratory tests and other diagnostic testing techniques and procedures to confirm clinical findings and to aid in the diagnoses and medical care and treatment of patients/individuals with a physical or mental illness, injury and/or developmental disability.

Ability to gain the confidence and cooperation of patients/individuals; and to establish effective working relationships with professional and non- professional direct care staff, other employees and the general public.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: One year of experience as a Staff Physician 2 or as a Physician Specialist (all specialties);

or

Graduation with a degree of Doctor of medicine or osteopathy from amedical school approved or recognized by the Pennsylvania State Board of Medicine or the Pennsylvania State Board of Osteopathic Medicine and completion of an approved U.S. residency-training program in the allopathic medical specialty of family practice, general practice, internal medicine or occupational medicine;

and

Successful completion of 50 hours of continuing medical education approved by the American Medical Association or the American Osteopathic Association in the previous 12 months;

and

Four years of post-residency experience in the practice of medicine, of which one of the last three years must have included one full year in an administrative, consultative or supervisory capacity over physicians assigned a direct primary care caseload, supplemented by successful completion of 75 hours of post graduate education or training in health services administration or related management topics within the last five years;

and

Board Certification by the American Boards of Medical Specialists or the American Osteopathic Medical Specialist Boards, as appropriate in family practice, general practice, internal medicine or occupational medicine.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENT: Possession of a current unrestricted license to practice medicine in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania issued by the Pennsylvania State Board of Medicine or the Pennsylvania State Board of Osteopathic Medicine and possession of a current certification to prescribe medication from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency.