The Physician Assistant will function to provide care and coordinate processes of the Orthopedic Department. They will work directly for the Chief of Orthopedics as well as the other Orthopedic Attending Staff.
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. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Must be a US Citizen. Education: Must be a graduate of a training program which is accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education of PA (ARC-PA) or one of its predecessor organizations & must also meet one of the following: (1) Master's degree in any discipline; or (2) Bachelor's degree in any discipline with one year of experience as a Physician Assistant. Certification: Successfully passed the PA National Certifying Exam (PANCE) (or is in the process of taking the exam). License: 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. PAs must maintain current registration in the State of licensure if this is a requirement for continuing active and current licensure in that State. English Language Proficiency: In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English. Grade Requirements: In addition to the basic qualification requirements, the grade level of a PA is based on a combination of training and experience. Physician Assistant-I (PA-I): Experience and Education. None beyond the basic requirements. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. PAs at this grade are expected to present the following minimum skill set: 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. PAs 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- 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. PAs at this grade should be able to demonstrate, develop, or acquire the following skill set 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 this 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 should be able to demonstrate, develop, or acquire the following skills set 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. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. 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: Must pass a pre-employment physical examination as required by VA Handbook 5019. This examination is administered by VA Occupational Health. This position requires moderate lifting up to 44 lbs., carrying objects up to 15 lbs., frequent reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, hands and legs, use of cranes and motor vehicles, walking & standing up to 8 hours, bending and climbing and able to hear whisper. The incumbent must be physically, emotionally and mentally stable in order to efficiently perform the essential functions of this position without hazard to themselves or others.
The duties and responsibilities will be at the direction and under the supervision of the same. This PA will be fully qualified and certified to function in both a clinical and administrative role in accordance with the guidelines and policies of the Durham VA HCS. This individual is delegated the authority and responsibility to assume clinical, consultation, educational, research and administrative duties and responsibilities related to the patients and staff of the Orthopedic Department. In addition to clinical and administrative duties this provider will serve as the section manager for Care in the Community consults (incl but not limited to post-operative physical therapy Care in the Community and for surgery operations that are not available in network). The provider will be the orthopedic section lead for program development coordination and reports', including strategic planning briefings, representative on VISN6 Orthopedic Surgery Workgroup, performs analysis and writes reports for encounter workload/clinic access. Duties include, but are not limited to: Primary focus is the coordination of the Orthopedic Department in its care and treatment of outpatients and inpatients assigned to the Orthopedic department. Evaluates inpatients/outpatients and writes up consults, assessments, and plans in the patient's chart. Writes orders for patient care, evaluation and treatment plans in accordance with the individuals Scope of Practice and under the authority of the Chief of Orthopedics or their designee. Performs clinic procedures to include minor surgical procedures (suture removal, l&D, removal of foreign bodies, joint injections, etc.). Applies and remove casts, splints, dressings, braces and various other devices used in the treatment of orthopedic patients. Performs general patient counseling, education and pre- and post-operative patient planning. Performs pre-surgical history and physical exams, admission orders, discharge summaries and operative procedures that they are involved with. Assist with surgical procedures in the operating room under the supervision of surgical staff. Prescribe medications as allowed by the Durham VAMC and in c/w the VHA PA prescribing directive. Order and interpret medical tests and x-rays to include specialty procedures (MRl's, CAT, Myelograms, Nuclear Medicine studies etc.) Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:30 am-4:00 pm OR 8:00 am-4:30 pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required