Description

The Flex Physician is a valuable member of our Tuberculosis team who is responsible for the provision of direct medical care at the TB clinic and assigned health center(s) within the defined scope of practice, in accordance with established standards of care. This position works with the TB Medical Director, TB Program Coordinator and/or TB Lead Nurse to achieve clinical and practice goals set by the Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center (LCHD), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and Illinois Department of Health (IDPH). In the absence of the TB Medical Director and /or Medical Advisor this position may be designated to serve as the site provider supervisor for the providers (Physicians, APRNs, etc.) at their assigned location.
This position is directly supervised on a day-to-day basis for administrative and clinical direction by the TB Medical Director and/or TB Coordinator, while receiving direction on onboarding and development, from Prevention’s administrative staff.

Scheduled Hours: As Needed

Essential Functions:

• Review TB patient charts for medical evaluation and compliance with CDC and IDPH control and surveillance guidelines.
• Diagnose and manage treatment for TB disease and latent TB infections in clinic patients.
• Order laboratory and radiology tests, prescribe and/or administer medications, and hospitalize TB patients if indicated.
• Chart and complete medical documentation.
• Provide input on the extent of contact investigations based on patient’s disease and infectiousness.
• Consult with staff regarding patients. This may include patients not necessarily seen directly by the physician. This may include, but is not limited to, cases in which medical supervision is necessary for insurance purposes.
• Participate in clinical conferences and provide medical expertise as appropriate.
• Provide consultation to external providers. This may include patients not necessarily seen by the physician.
• Evaluate and diagnose latent TB infections and counsel and provide, when appropriate, preventative therapy.
• Consult with IDPH, regional TB consultants, CDC, or other reference centers on complex cases.
• Coordinate specimen request and receipt of results with IDPH, CDC, or other reference laboratories.
• Report patient’s noncompliance with TB disease management to the TB Coordinator.
• Participate in communications (e.g., emails or calls) coordinated by the TB Medical Director with key stakeholders regarding enforcement of isolation orders.
• Coordinate management of TB with patient’s primary care providers or specialists.
• Report all unusual occurrences that may involve the safety and well-being of the clients, patients and/or co-workers, directly to the TB Coordinator.
• Assist and encourage clients/patients in identifying self-management goals.
• Perform duties in a prioritized, organized, and orderly manner to maximize clinic efficiency and productivity.
• Directly provide medical treatment and diagnosis for patients at assigned LCHD health centers.
• Participate in collaborative relationships with other providers such as LCHD Federally Qualified Health Centers’ providers.
• In the absence of the TB Medical Director, the physician may assume this role.
• TB Medical Director may consult with the physician as necessary.
• Develop and maintain an advanced knowledge base of services available at LCHD.
• Participate in mandatory in-services and drills, attend staff meetings and other required training, including appropriate educational training offered on a regular basis for professional development.

Requirements

• Requires completion of a residency program.
• Must retain Board Certification in at least one of the following: Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Internal Medicine/Pediatrics, or Pediatrics with a fellowship in Infectious Disease or Pulmonology or 5 years of experience in management of TB.
• Requires an active Illinois license to practice as a physician.
• Ability to work on weekends, holidays, and overtime if necessary.
• Ability to maintain and keep records.