Physician Assistant Crisis Continuum Services

Under the general direction of the Chief Medical Officer and the Medical Director of Crisis Continuum Services, the Crisis Continuum Services Physician Assistant provides assessment and treatment to individuals experiencing a behavioral health crisis and is an integral member of a multi-disciplinary clinical team providing support to persons served by OCHN’s crisis system, including Crisis Assessment & Triage, Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU), Crisis Residential Unit (CRU), Sober Support Unit, Mobile Crisis, Crisis Line/Hotline, and Behavioral Health Urgent Care. The Crisis Continuum Services Physician Assistant will play a critical role in overseeing crisis-related determinations, facilitating the operation of an integrated, evidence-based crisis continuum that meets clinical standards and employs best practices while ensuring resources are responsibly allocated.

Essential Functions

Direct Clinical Care

• Performs all duties and responsibilities of a physician assistant; provides high-quality, cost-effective care consistent with licensing, accreditation, and payer standards.
• Conducts psychiatric assessments, medication management, diagnostic study (e. g., labs, imaging, ECG) interpretation, suicide and violence risk assessments, and substance intoxication/overdose/withdrawal assessments (including the use of structured assessment tools and symptom screening questionnaires); within crisis workflows determines level of care (e. g., ED transfer, inpatient, CSU, CRU, partial hospital, outpatient).
• Provides clinical disposition recommendations.
• Ensures timely documentation in the EHR and adherence to HIPAA and 42 CFR Part 2.

Leadership & Collaboration

• Integral member of a psychiatrist-led multi-disciplinary team consisting of psychiatrists, Advanced Practice Providers (APPs), nurses, bachelor’s-level clinicians, counselors, social workers, and psychologists to deliver rapid, reliable, evidence-based care and disposition determinations.
• Leads daily/shift huddles and interdisciplinary rounds (nursing, crisis clinicians, peers, behavioral health technicians (BHTs)/milieu staff, discharge planners) to resolve barriers, update risk, and finalize dispositions.
• Interfaces with relevant internal teams, hospitals/EDs, law enforcement, EMS, and community providers to ensure warm handoffs and least-restrictive, recovery-oriented care transitions.
• Promotes a culture of person-centered, trauma-informed, and recovery-oriented practice across teams.

Quality, Compliance, and Performance

• Adheres to quality measures and key performance indicators (KPIs) (e. g., time to triage, time to disposition, 23-hour utilization, return-in-crisis rates, warm handoff completion).
• Complies with all relevant OCHN policies/procedures, MDHHS/Medicaid requirements, accreditation standards, and the Michigan Mental Health Code; participates in Root Cause Analyses and special reviews as directed by the Chief Medical Officer or Medical Director of Crisis Continuum Services.
• Serves on OCHN committees as directed by OCHN Chief Medical Officer.

Job Requirements and Qualifications

Education

Master’s Degree in Physician Assistant Studies from a nationally accredited university.

Training Requirements (Licenses, Programs, or Certificates)

• Active Physician Assistant license in State of Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) in good standing.
• Active State of Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) Board of Pharmacy Controlled Substance license in good standing.
• United States Department of Justice, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Controlled Substance Registration Certificate
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
• No history of criminal misdemeanor or felony.
• Attest to no complaints or penalties from respective board of licensing.

Experience Requirements

• At least two (2) years of clinical experience as a physician assistant working in a behavioral health setting.

Preferred Requirements

• Prior experience working in crisis/emergency settings is preferred.

Job Specific Competencies/Skills

• Working knowledge of the Michigan Mental Health Code; MDHHS policy; Medicaid/PIHP requirements; SAMHSA Crisis Guidelines; suicide and violence risk assessment; psychopharmacology; co-occurring SUD care; EHR documentation; HIPAA/42 CFR Part 2.
• Leadership, communication, teaching, and data-driven QI skills; ability to work effectively, confidently, and respectfully with diverse populations and partners.
• A high sense of personal and professional ethics and integrity.

Oakland Community Health Network’s Core Competencies

• Interacting with others in a way that gives them confidence in one’s intentions and those of the organization; demonstrating loyalty to the organization and its mission and values; maintaining social, ethical, and organizational norms; firmly adhering to codes of conduct and ethical principles. (Integrity/Building Trust)
• Making customers and their needs a primary focus of one’s actions; developing and sustaining productive customer relationships, recognizing that the ultimate customer is the person served. (Customer Focus)
• Actively identifying new areas for learning; regularly creating and taking advantage of learning opportunities; using newly gained knowledge and skill on the job and learning through their application. (Continuous Learning)
• Setting high standards of performance for self and others; assuming responsibility and accountability for successfully completing assignments or tasks; self-imposing standards of excellence in addition to consciously adopting organizational standards of excellence. (Work Standards)
• Clearly conveying information and ideas through a variety of media to individuals or groups in a manner that engages the audience and helps them understand and retain the message. (Communication)

Additional Information

(Travel required, physical requirements, on-call schedules, etc.):

• Position may include evening/weekend/holiday coverage; on-site presence at the RCC with hybrid work for administrative tasks when appropriate.
• Full-time employment with benefits preferred; qualified part-time/contract arrangements will be considered to meet service needs.
• The ideal candidate must be able to complete all physical requirements of the job with or without a reasonable accommodation.
• This position is for weekend part-time shift (Sat-Sun 8:00 am - 4:30 pm OR 4:00 pm - 12:30 am) only.
• This position is every weekend.

The information provided above highlights the key aspects of the role OCHN is looking to fill. It is not meant to be an exhaustive list of responsibilities and duties, as these may change based on business needs.

The chosen candidate will receive a competitive salary based on experience, along with a comprehensive benefits package that includes a range of medical insurance options, dental and vision coverage, and more.

OCHN is committed to building a diverse team and fostering an inclusive and equitable culture. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer that embraces and encourages our employees’ differences.

This includes (but is not limited to) ability, age, color, family type, gender expression and identity, individual expression, medical conditions, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status, and all other diverse and wonderful characteristics.