Advanced Practice Provider (PA) - UNC Eye Carolina Crossing

Description

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Position Overview

The Department of Ophthalmology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is seeking its first dedicated Oculoplastics Physician Assistant (PA) to support a growing oculofacial plastic surgery service. This role is integral to delivering high-quality, patient-centered care across the full continuum— from new patient evaluation through perioperative management and post-operative follow-up—while improving access, efficiency, and patient experience.

The Oculoplastics PA will work closely with attending oculoplastic surgeons, residents, fellows, clinic staff, and operating room teams. The position includes clinical, procedural, perioperative coordination, and call-related responsibilities, with opportunities to help shape workflows as the service expands.

Key Responsibilities

Clinical Care

• Evaluate and manage new and established oculoplastic patients under attending supervision, including history-taking, examination, assessment, treatment planning, and longitudinal follow-up.

• See and independently manage post-operative patients, answer patient questions, and provide ongoing counseling regarding recovery, medications, activity restrictions, and expected outcomes, escalating concerns to the attending surgeon as appropriate.

• Participate in attending and continuity clinics, supporting patient flow, continuity of care, and patient education.

• Assist in the oculoplastics call pool, including evaluation and management of urgent and emergent oculoplastic conditions within defined scope and protocols.

Procedural Responsibilities

• Perform minor oculoplastic procedures in clinic, including but not limited to:

o Chalazion incision and curettage

o Evaluation and treatment of periocular lesions

o Minor excisions and biopsies

• Assist attending surgeons with minor procedures and operative cases in the operating room, including pre-, intra-, and post-procedural support.

Perioperative and Surgical Coordination

• Help ensure patients are appropriately prepared for surgery, including:

o Pre-operative counseling and education

o Review of perioperative instructions

o Coordination of necessary medical clearance

• Help ensure required imaging and diagnostic studies (e.g., CT/MRI scans) are completed and reviewed prior to surgery when indicated.

• Assist with prior authorization and documentation when needed to facilitate timely surgical care.

Patient Communication & Counseling

• Answer patient questions via clinic visits, phone, and electronic messaging within scope of practice.

• Provide clear, compassionate counseling regarding diagnoses, treatment options, procedural expectations, and post-treatment care.

• Reinforce attending physician recommendations to ensure patient understanding and adherence.

Care Coordination, Quality & Professional Responsibilities

• Collaborate with nursing, scheduling, surgical coordinators, and administrative staff to optimize patient throughput and experience.

• Ensure accurate and timely documentation in the electronic medical record.

• Participate in quality improvement initiatives related to oculoplastics clinical care, access, and perioperative efficiency.

Additional Responsibilities & Program Development

• Assist in the development and refinement of oculoplastics PA workflows, clinical protocols, and patient education materials.

• Support departmental goals related to access, efficiency, patient experience, and quality metrics.

• Participate in ongoing education, skills development, and performance review consistent with UNC Health standards.

Skills & Attributes

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with patients, families, and multidisciplinary teams.

• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, particularly in perioperative coordination.

• Ability to work independently within scope while recognizing when to escalate care.

• Interest in building and shaping a new PA role within an academic ophthalmology department.

Scope of Practice, Autonomy & Supervision

• The Oculoplastics PA will practice in accordance with North Carolina Medical Board regulations, NCCPA standards, and UNC Health policies.

• Clinical care is delivered under the supervision of an attending oculoplastic surgeon, with graduated autonomy based on experience, demonstrated competency, and departmental guidelines.

• The PA may independently evaluate new and established patients, manage post[1]operative care, perform approved minor procedures, and initiate treatment plans within defined protocols, with attending availability for consultation at all times.

• Attending physician sign-off and direct involvement will occur as required by state law, institutional policy, case complexity, and payer requirements.

• Scope of clinical and procedural responsibilities will be clearly defined during onboarding and revisited regularly as the role evolves.

Epic, MyChart & Patient Communication Responsibilities

• Actively manage and assist with the Epic in-basket and MyChart patient messages related to oculoplastics care, including patient questions, medication issues, post-operative concerns, test results, and coordination of care.

• Utilize protected administrative time to address patient communications in a timely manner, improving access and continuity of care.

• Triage patient communications appropriately, resolving issues within scope and escalating to the attending surgeon when indicated.

• Document all patient interactions clearly and accurately in the electronic medical record.

Prescribing Authority

• The Oculoplastics PA will exercise prescribing authority in accordance with North Carolina law, UNC Health policies, and the supervising physician agreement.

• Authorized to prescribe medications relevant to oculoplastics care—including ophthalmic drops, oral medications, antibiotics, steroids, and perioperative medications—within defined protocols and scope of practice.

• Controlled substances, if prescribed, will be managed in compliance with DEA registration requirements, state regulations, and institutional policies.

• Prescribing practices will follow departmental guidelines, with attending physician consultation as required based on case complexity, medication class, and payer requirements.

• Actively manage and assist with the Epic in-basket and MyChart patient messages related to oculoplastics care, including patient questions, medication issues, post-operative concerns, and coordination of care.

• Triage patient communications appropriately, resolving issues within scope and escalating to the attending surgeon when indicated.

• Document all patient interactions clearly and accurately in the electronic medical record.

Work Schedule & FTE Structure

• This position is a 1.0 FTE role defined as 9 clinical sessions per week out of a 10-session week, consistent with UNC Health advanced practice provider standards.

• Nine (9) sessions are dedicated to direct clinical care, procedures, operating room support, and call-related responsibilities.

• The remaining one (1) non-clinical session (½ day) is reserved for administrative and care-coordination activities, including Epic/MyChart inbox management, patient counseling outside of visits, prior authorizations, perioperative preparation, documentation, quality initiatives, and service-line development.

Work Environment

• Academic medical center setting with close collaboration among faculty, trainees, and staff.

• Mix of outpatient clinic, procedure room, and operating room responsibilities.

• Participation in an oculoplastics call pool as defined by departmental needs.

UNC Commitment

UNC is an equal opportunity employer and values a diverse workforce. The Department of Ophthalmology is committed to fostering an inclusive, collaborative, and supportive environment for faculty, trainees, and advanced practice providers.

Other Information

Other information:
Education Requirements:
● Completion of an accredited graduate-level Advanced Practice Provider (APRN or PA) program.
Licensure/Certification Requirements:
● Licensed as an Advanced Practice Provider (i.e., Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant, Clinical Pharmacist Practitioner, Certified Nurse Midwife, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist) in the state of North Carolina. Strongly prefer a Physician Assistant.

● Board certification if required by the Department. DEA.

Professional Experience Requirements:
● No prior experience required.
Knowledge/Skills/and Abilities Requirements:
● Demonstrated clinical competency.
● Effective leadership skills. Strong interpersonal skills.
● Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
● Demonstrated written and verbal communication and strong analytical skills.
● Effective interaction to ensure the successful care of patients in the clinical setting.
● Documentation in the medical record to substantiate accurate billing.

• Prior experience in ophthalmology, oculoplastics, ENT, dermatology, or surgical subspecialties preferred but not required.

• Strong clinical judgment, procedural aptitude, and comfort working in both clinic and OR environments.

Job Details

Legal Employer: STATE

Entity: UNC Faculty Physicians

Organization Unit: UNC Eye Carolina Crossing

Work Type: Full Time

Standard Hours Per Week: 40.00

Work Assignment Type: Onsite

Work Schedule: Day Job

Location of Job: US:NC: Chapel Hill

Exempt From Overtime: Exempt: Yes

This is a State position employed by UNC Health Care System with UNC Health benefits. If, however, you are presently an employee of another North Carolina agency and currently participate in TSERS or the ORP, you will be eligible to continue participating in those plans at UNC Health.

Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, status as a protected veteran or political affiliation.

UNC Health makes reasonable accommodations for applicants' and employees' religious practices and beliefs, as well as applicants and employees with disabilities. All interested applicants are invited to apply for career opportunities. Please email applicant.accommodations@unchealth.unc.edu if you need a reasonable accommodation to search and/or to apply for a career opportunity.