Full-Time Physician Assistant
Job Description
Job Title
Physician Assistant – Outpatient Psychiatry
Location
Elgin, Illinois (suburban Chicago)
Practice Overview
Associates in Psychiatry & Counseling is a private outpatient practice devoted to providing high-quality, compassionate psychiatric care as part of an integrated team of psychiatrists, therapists (psychologists, LCSWs, LPCs), and support staff. We treat patients from age 5 through adulthood, offering medication management, therapy, and procedures such as TMS. Associates in Psychiatry and Counseling
We strive to create an environment where patients feel supported, understood, and able to improve their mental health and wellness.
Position Summary
We are seeking a motivated and skilled Physician Assistant (PA) with experience or strong interest in psychiatry and outpatient behavioral health to join our team. The PA will work collaboratively with psychiatrists and therapists, providing direct patient care including assessment, medication management, follow-up, and possibly telehealth. The ideal candidate will be comfortable working in a fast-paced private practice environment and delivering high-quality, patient-centered care.
Key Responsibilities
- Perform psychiatric patient evaluations, treatment planning, and follow-up visits under the supervision of a board-certified psychiatrist.
- Manage medication initiation, adjustment, monitoring, and side-effect assessment for patients with a variety of psychiatric disorders (e.g., anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, ADHD, substance-use, etc.).
- Provide patient education regarding medications, side-effects, lifestyle/supportive recommendations, and collaborate with therapy team.
- Collaborate with therapists, psychiatrists, and other staff to coordinate care and ensure the best outcomes for patients.
- Document patient encounters, treatment plans, progress, and medication changes in the electronic health record (EHR) accurately and timely.
- Participate in practice quality-improvement initiatives, support clinical workflows, and contribute to the positive culture of the practice.
- Potentially provide telehealth services, as needed, and evening or weekend hours may be required given the practice’s flexible scheduling model. (The practice offers flexible day, evening, and weekend hours.) Associates in Psychiatry and Counseling
- Ensure compliance with licensure, prescribing regulations, and practice-specific protocols.
Qualifications
- Graduate of an accredited Physician Assistant program; PA-C licensure in Illinois or eligible for Illinois licensure.
- Certification by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA).
- Minimum of 1–2 years of clinical experience preferred, ideally in psychiatry, behavioral health, or outpatient medicine; new grads with strong interest may be considered.
- Experience with or willingness to learn psychiatric prescribing, medication management, and disorders of mental health.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; ability to engage patients of diverse ages (children, adolescents, adults) and backgrounds.
- Ability to work collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team.
- Proficiency with electronic health records and clinical documentation.
- Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage a full and varied outpatient schedule.
Schedule & Compensation
- Outpatient practice environment; typical hours Monday through Friday
- Competitive base salary plus performance incentives/bonus opportunities (based on productivity, quality metrics).
- Benefits may include (but are not limited to): paid time off (PTO), continuing medical education (CME) allowance, licensure/certification reimbursement, retirement plan options, health/dental/vision insurance, professional liability coverage.
Why Join Us?
- Be part of a supportive, well-established private practice dedicated to mental wellness and quality care.
- Collaborate with a seasoned team of psychiatrists and therapists with diverse expertise, across the lifespan. Associates in Psychiatry and Counseling
- Opportunity to make a meaningful difference in patients’ lives in an outpatient setting, with a balance of autonomy and team support.
- Flexible scheduling and a modern, patient-centric work environment.
