Physician Assistant, Bipolar Disorder Center, UT Health Austin - Psychiatry at University of Te[...]

Physician Assistant, Bipolar Disorder Center, UT Health Austin

Position: Physician Assistant – Bipolar Disorder Center, University of Texas at Austin.
Location: UT Main Campus, Austin, TX.
Weekly Hours: 40 (Full-time).
Start Date: Immediately.
Contract Duration: Until August 31, 2025 (renewable).

Responsibilities

• Perform comprehensive psychiatric assessment and diagnosis of adult and transition‑age youth with bipolar disorder, integrating health history, physical examination, and structured clinical interviews.
• Develop and implement individualized treatment plans, including prescribing and dispensing medications in accordance with state laws and practice guidelines.
• Provide evidence‑based psychotherapy (e.g., IPSRT, CBT, CBT‑insomnia, DBT, Family Focused Therapy, MBCT, ACT, mood charting, safety planning, relapse prevention).
• Coordinate care, including case management referrals, community resource linkage, and communication with multidisciplinary team members.
• Participate in clinical research and quality improvement projects, collect and analyze data, and contribute to evidence‑based practice initiatives.
• Document all encounters in the electronic medical record, ensuring accuracy, confidentiality, and compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Assist in operational management of the Bipolar Disorder Center: staff training, scheduling, budget assistance, and workflow optimization.
• Lead or participate in patient support groups and educational outreach efforts.
• Perform monitoring and continuity of care between visits, triage patient communications, and coordinate ongoing treatment.

Required Qualifications

• American Board‑certified Physician Assistant (PA‑C) or an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN/APNP) with an active RN license in Texas.
• DEA license (or ability to obtain one prior to or upon hire).
• Certified CPR and advanced life‑support competency (ACLS, PALS, NRP) as applicable.
• Master’s or Doctorate degree from an accredited Nursing or Physician Assistant program.
• Minimum of one (1) year of experience caring for bipolar or related disorders in inpatient and outpatient settings.
• Demonstrated analytical, critical‑thinking, communication, and confidentiality skills.
• Proficiency with the Athena electronic medical record system and general EMR usage.

Preferred Qualifications

• Three (3) or more years of experience in psychiatric practice or related facility.
• Experience with large research projects or clinical trials.
• Knowledge of Value‑Based Healthcare Delivery models and EHR metrics.
• Bilingual ability in English and Spanish.

Salary and Benefits

Salary Range: $123,000+ (based on qualifications).
Benefits: Eligible for the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) or Optional Retirement Program (ORP) depending on hours and length of employment.

Working Conditions

• Standard office environment with occasional exposure to biohazards and chemicals.
• Requires use of keyboard, manual dexterity, stair climbing, lifting, and occasional weekend, overtime, or evening work to meet deadlines.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The University of Texas at Austin is an equal‑opportunity, affirmative action employer. The university complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The university does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs, or activities.