Richard Ellis
ANCHORAGE,AK
Summary
Patient-focused orthopedic professional with extensive experience in examinations, imaging review, and hands-on procedures. Recognized for strong medical documentation, patient education, and clinic workflow coordination. Supports surgeons, mentoring staff, and promoting efficient, high-quality care.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Orthopedic Physician Assistant
Orthopedic Physicians of Alaska
Anchorage, AK
07.2018 - Current
- Assessed imaging results and collaborated with surgeons on diagnosis and treatment planning
- Assisted in preoperative and postoperative care for fracture, joint, and sports injury cases
- Performed joint aspirations, injections, splinting, and wound management using sterile technique
- Evaluated orthopedic patients, gathered histories, and performed focused musculoskeletal examinations
- Documented encounters, procedures, and treatment plans accurately in electronic medical records
- Coordinated clinic workflows, patient follow-up, and referral communication to support continuity of care
- Educated patients on recovery expectations, home care, and activity restrictions after orthopedic treatment
- Mentored clinical staff on orthopedic protocols, documentation standards, and efficient patient flow
Physician Assistant
Everett Clinic
Everett, WA
06.2013 - 07.2018
- Evaluated patients, documented assessments, and developed treatment plans across outpatient specialty care.
- Ordered and interpreted diagnostic tests to support accurate clinical decisions and timely follow-up.
- Performed comprehensive histories and physicals, identifying concerns requiring escalation or referral.
- Collaborated with physicians, nurses, and care teams to coordinate seamless patient care.
- Educated patients on diagnoses, medications, and preventive care to improve adherence and understanding.
- Managed electronic health record documentation, ensuring accurate charting, orders, and clinical communications.
- Supported continuity of care through referrals, follow-up planning, and result review.
- Guided clinical workflows and mentored staff to improve efficiency and consistency in care delivery.
- Ordered and interpreted diagnostic testing to confirm diagnosis and implement accurate treatment plans.
- Conducted physical examinations to assess patients' health and current condition for optimal treatment.
- Exhibited excellent problem-solving skills when encountering complex medical cases, collaborating with physicians and other healthcare professionals to determine the most appropriate course of action for optimal patient outcomes.
- Educated patients on variety of infectious disease issues, nutrition, obesity, and smoking cessation to improve overall health and wellness.
Physician Assistant
Sherwood Urgent Care
Searcy, AR
02.2011 - 05.2013
- Prescribed medications to patients to treat conditions and alleviate symptoms.
- Managed chronic conditions by monitoring patient health and treatment plan progress to make necessary adjustments in care.
- Enhanced patient satisfaction through effective communication and empathetic bedside manner.
- Streamlined clinic workflow by collaborating closely with physicians, nurses, and support staff.
- Optimized time management skills to prioritize urgent cases while maintaining high-quality care for all patients.
- Ensured accurate diagnoses by ordering appropriate diagnostic tests and interpreting results efficiently.
- Contributed to improved team performance by participating in interdisciplinary meetings, offering insights as a Physician Assistant.
- Referred to and consulted with physicians and other healthcare providers on patient care.
- Recorded patient history to accurately track conditions, progress and diagnosis for comprehensive medical records.
Education
Master of Science - Physician Assistant Studies
Harding University
Searcy, AR12-2010
Bachelor of Science - Biology
University of Central Arkansas
Conway, AR06-1995
Skills
- Orthopedic assessment
- Fracture management
- Joint injections
- Orthotic prescription
- Preoperative planning
- Postoperative care
- Direct patient care
- Physical examination
- Patient assessments
- Medical diagnosis
- Differential diagnoses
- Diagnosing conditions
- Clinical decision making
- Emergency medicine
- Ordering tests
- Diagnostic imaging interpretation
- Radiology interpretation
- Lab result analysis
- Diagnostic testing
- Suturing
- Incisions and drainage
- Emergency room consultations
- Burn care
- Prescription refills
- Prescription management
- Patient management
- Care continuity
- Referral coordination
- Case management
- Triage
- Examination completion
- Documenting vitals
- History documentation
- EMR management
- Record management
- Hospital consultations
- Evaluating culture results
- Sports medicine
- Pediatrics
- Geriatric care
- Family medicine
- Wound care management
- Preventive care
- Continuing education
- Chart preparation
- Managing charts
- Educating patients
- Performing procedures
- Trauma management
- Assessing needs
- Foreign body removal
- Enhancing patient satisfaction
- Optimizing time management skills
- Joint health assessment
- Case management
- Musculoskeletal treatment
- Orthopedic surgery
- Medical diagnosis
Affiliations
American Association of Physician Associates
Physician Assistants in Orthopedic Surgery
Alaska Academy of Physician Assistants
Tau Kappa Epsilon
Timeline
Orthopedic Physician Assistant
Orthopedic Physicians of Alaska
07.2018 - Current
Physician Assistant
Everett Clinic
06.2013 - 07.2018
Physician Assistant
Sherwood Urgent Care
02.2011 - 05.2013
Master of Science - Physician Assistant Studies
Harding University
Bachelor of Science - Biology
University of Central Arkansas