Full-Time Physician Assistant
Job Description
Physician Assistant
FT Position – Must be licensed in Florida
PA or NP to handle medications and clinical management of
Patients in an established multi office interventional Pain Management Group.
Experience with EClinicalWorks a plus
I would like to share with you some things about me and my practice.
I do pain management. Yet I do much more than just ask about pain and either write prescriptions or do procedures. The focus (goal) of my practice is to IMPROVE MY PATIENTS QUALITY OF LIFE.
This approach I find is truly able to help these patients, much more so than easing their pain “some” (everyone probably knows the expression “take the edge off” which is commonly used to explain what realistically can be realized when treating long term chronic pain due to the problem of tolerance).
I teach and explain what is important to have a real “QUALITY OF LIFE” and work to help these patients help themselves to improve their QUALITY OF LIFE. Many things beyond easing ones pain do improve quality of life. Probably the most important is helping them recognize the chronic depression which almost always is present to a degree. I often ask what they do for fun and often the reply starts with “I USED TO…..” Often it has been there so long that they feel it is normal to feel that way and they do not even realize they are depressed. Then helping treat this with medication and counseling. It is so rewarding when a patient realizes how much better life is when no longer depressed. Once depression is better they are better able to enjoy things and they start doing thing for enjoyment which is quality of life in a nutshell.
I stress maintaining a better perspective which is also so very important. An example I use is “I used to be so upset I had no shoes until I talked to the man with no legs”. Helping one see the glass as half full once again makes a huge difference. Rather than always focusing on what they cannot do, focusing on what they can do, doing it and enjoying, that is “quality of life”. If they can no longer play golf many sit around and lament about not being able to play while they could be enjoying many other activities if only would give them a chance.
Working weight loss is not only excellent for overall health issues as we all know, but it greatly improves quality of life. Even in those whose pain is not greatly relieved through weight loss will have major benefits in quality of life. Less fatigue, more self-pride in achieving a goal, and complements always help as well. Just imagine how different life is for a patient who is five foot six and 250 pounds if they were to get down to 150 pounds.
Another aspect is getting these patients to return to the best level of activity they can manage. So often they become much more sedentary then they really need to be. Even minimal increases in activity boost mood and pride.
Sleep improvement is also very key as it helps energy level and mood. Often they blame their pain on this problem when it usually is not the issue. Depression, worry, negative thoughts and other negative influences need to be found and helped.
To me pain management is so much more about the entire person rather than a simple focus on “taking the edge of”. Helping the psychological and physical condition of these patients is where I really feel the benefits of what I do come from.
If interested in truly making a difference for your patients come join me, I do make a difference!!!
Robert Ulseth, MD
