This Physician Assistant position is in the Medical Service at the VA Boston Healthcare System, located at the West Roxbury location. This position is full-time at 40 hours per week. NOTE: This multi-discipline recruitment will result in the hiring of one of the following disciplines: Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant All interested Nurse Practitioners must apply through announcement: CBTD-12716509-25-JL
Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Physician Assistant Basic Requirements Master's degree in any discipline or a bachelor's degree in any discipline with one year of experience as a Physician Assistant ~AND~ Successfully passed the PA National Certifying Exam (PANCE) (or are you in the process to taking the exam) ~AND~ Currently hold, or will hold, a full and unrestricted license to practice in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States or in the District of Columbia. United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy Preferred Experience: Previous experience in outpatient primary care strongly preferred Grade Determinations: Physician Assistant-I (PA-I) Experience and Education. None beyond the basic requirements. This is the entry level for PAs. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. The following list of knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA) present the minimum skill set expected of an Entry Level PA. This practice may include, but is not limited to: Ability to utilize the principles of PA practice in the care of assigned patients to provide appropriate care. Ability to perform patient history and physical. Ability to formulate a plan and provide treatment to the patient. Ability to provide patient care that is abreast of changing concepts and advancements in the profession. Physician Assistant-II (PA-II) Experience and Education. The PA at this grade is at the intermediate grade level and has had progressively increasing responsibility and experiences as indicated in the KSAs listed below. Individuals will have demonstrated the ability to analyze and solve more complex medical problems than at the entry level grade and can utilize their training in the successful practice of patient care and participate in team problem solving. Individuals demonstrate the KSAs of PA-II intermediate level by: Two years of successful practice as a PA. OR Successful completion of a PA post-graduate residency program sponsored by VHA Office of Academic Affiliations or other postgraduate residency programs accredited by VA, ARC-PA, U.S. Armed Forces, or another accrediting agency. OR A doctoral degree in a health-related field from an accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). PAs at this level are not required to meet each individual KSA listed below to qualify, but should be able to demonstrate, develop, or acquire those not met upon appointment for PA-II: Skills to analyze and solve complex medical problems. Ability to function autonomously and make independent medical decisions. Skill to incorporate training and experience into the successful practice of patient care including telehealth medical care. Ability to work effectively in an interdisciplinary environment for improvement of services for patient care. Ability to practice with colleagues and peers collaboratively. Physician Assistant-III (PA-III) Experience and Education. PAs at the PA-III grade are at the full performance level and lead and organize patient care independently, practice within multi-disciplinary teams, and coordinate all aspects of patient care across the health care system. They utilize advanced clinical knowledge and judgment in decision-making and evaluating outcomes. They function as experts in clinical practice and/or in areas related to the assigned roles and responsibilities, may serve as mentors for transitioning PAs, and may provide training for health care students. Individuals can demonstrate the KSAs for the full performance level by: Three years of successful practice as a PA OR Successful completion of a PA post-graduate residency program sponsored by VHA Office of Academic Affiliations or other postgraduate residency programs accredited by VA, ARC-PA, U.S. Armed Forces, or another accrediting agency and one year of professional practice as a PA; OR A doctoral degree in a health-related field from an accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and one year of professional practice as a PA. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. PAs at this level are not required to meet each individual KSA listed below to qualify, but should be able to demonstrate, develop, or acquire those not met upon appointment for PA-III: Ability to clinically evaluate facility patient care delivery systems and validate or identify barriers to safe and effective patient care. Skill to consistently demonstrate an elevated level of expertise and autonomy in diagnosing and treating seriously ill, multi-symptomatic patients through facility Focused Professional Practice Evaluation (FPPE) and Ongoing Professional Practice Evaluation (OPPE). Ability to present clinical findings and recommendations to appropriate management officials. Ability to clinically facilitate the delivery of patient care in collaboration with health professionals, health managers, and other health care personnel. Ability to implement and initiate clinical changes to established treatment protocols based upon new medical literature research findings to enhance patient delivery care for improved patient outcomes. Ability to participate clinically in the development of the PA patient care audit processes involving in-depth review and analysis of medical records. Preferred Experience: Experience in Allergy Clinics preferred. References: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-8 Physician Assistant Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. The full performance level of this vacancy is PA III. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of PA I to PA III. Physical Requirements: This work is mostly sedentary and requires some standing, bending and carrying light items. The incumbent must have the ability to stand and walk for prolonged periods of time to interact with the patients and other services.
The incumbent practices in the Service as a Physician Assistant (PA) to provide a full range of services emphasizing quality, timeliness, and the advancement of the VA mission. The PA provides advanced clinical practice, consultation, and management. The PA practices to the full extent of their education, training, and certification. Core functions are outlined in the clinical privileges that correspond with this position. The NP has prescriptive authority for a panel of patients or program as indicated by their position. Duties include but are not limited to: Coordinates and performs allergy skin testing for environmental, food, medication, patch testing, immunotherapy, and administration of biologics Independently coordinates the oversight of allergy extracts, pertinent medical information between multiple sites to include MVAHCS, CBOCs, Walter Reed, for continuation of immunotherapy schedule Contributes to the development of the patient's overall health plan and carries out the patient's plan of care with communication to the Veteran, Allergy providers, and CBOCs; Taking measures to ensure patient care is delivered safely by following all patient safety guidelines, protocols, and standard operating procedures for Allergy Works with ancillary services including lab, dietetics, alternative medicine, and mental health to coordinate and provide for allergy adjunct care treatment; Provides education and training to Veterans, clinical staff and Providers on clinic operations Provides Allergy Immunotherapy Training to Nurses administering immunotherapy on site and at collaborating MVAHCS and CBOCs Conducts chart review of current immunotherapy patients and identifies additional need for on-site staff training regarding Immunotherapy dosing, documentation template, and up-to-date allergy and immunotherapy practice Prioritizes overall patient care needs and adjusts plans for care by reviewing past treatment(s) medications and determining a plan for scheduled Allergy Clinic visits. Accurately and thoroughly documents care delivered and patient's response to care that could require immediate modification of the patient's care plan; Conducts VVC and phone visits, follow-up phone calls, urgent and non-urgent care calls, and Secure Messaging Maintains Allergy Database Educates patients on prescribed medications/treatments according to established policies and VHA Directives and appropriately records patient's response to medications/treatments received; Promptly recognizes potential anaphylaxis, informs the Allergist, Allergy NP, of observed changes in patient's condition and initiates appropriate, prescribed interventions, following anaphylaxis treatment guidelines and documentation; Documents and reports all abnormalities, changes, and deviations to Allergy Provider and communicates openly about patient care and treatment concerns; Assists patients and their families in taking an active role in promoting healthy lifestyles for more positive patient outcomes, to include potential outcomes to Immunotherapy treatment and education regarding environmental allergens; Exhibits skill, creativity and initiative to improve the overall care delivery and patient and/or family satisfaction levels through active participation in committees/task forces, research projects, continuing education opportunities and in developing educational materials/media. Promotes and effectively incorporates established customer service standards in all aspects of clinical practice Preferred Experience: Allergy clinic experience Work Schedule: Monday thru Friday, 7:00am - 3:30pm Telework: Ad-hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Notifications: This is a supervisory, non-bargaining unit position Current and former Federal employees must submit copies of their most recent SF-50 (Notice of Personnel Action). The SF-50 must identify the position title, series, grade, step, tenure and type of service (Competitive or Excepted). In some cases, more than one SF-50 may be required to show a higher grade previously held. This position is in the Excepted Service. The salary is based on the grade and step approved for the selected candidate. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package.