This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.
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. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements stated above, the following qualification criteria must be met in determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates: 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 (KSAs). 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). 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 (KSAs). 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. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is VN-3. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of to VN-1 to VN-3. Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. Must complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as annual TB screening or testing, as a condition of employment.
VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. Work Schedule: Full-time. Schedule will be determined by supervisors. Telework: Not available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized. EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact V21CCOEEDRP@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized. Major duties include, but are not limited to: Work collaboratively with the Vascular Surgery staff and residents in both outpatient and telehealth clinics and participate in daily rounds of the Vascular Surgery inpatients. Ensure urgent/ emergent patient care issues are addressed quickly with attending surgeon/fellow/chief resident and arrange admissions/ transfers as needed. Work with case manager for special admissions: bridging anticoagulation, pre-hydration for computed tomography angiography (CTAs), angiograms, etc., and ensure H&P and orders are placed. Consent and counsel patients regarding surgeries/interventions. Assist with managing wounds by sharp debridement with instruments, dressing, solutions, suture removal, incision and drainage. Under the direction of a vascular surgeon, perform consult review, prior record review, patient history, examination, diagnosis, treatment and education for new and follow-up visits. Complete encounter for each visit, ensuring timely patient encounters and complete documentation. Respond to Clinical Reminders and order appropriate lab tests, radiology tests, and studies. Interpret, as appropriate, and implement results and recommendations from studies ordered. Recommend appropriate follow-up. Initiate and adjust medications as medically necessary. Performs routine wound care for post-surgical patients with vascular wounds. Conduct telephone clinics and respond to patient phone calls as appropriate. Follow-up patient care communications by email/ telephone or MyHealtheVet. Obtain outside medical records needed for patient care. Under the direction of a vascular surgeon, perform oversight of vascular studies, including appropriate scheduling of staff and patients, patient flow, safety, quality management, and tracking of procedures, capacity, backlog, and wait times. Coordinate care for patients as appropriate between vascular clinic, VISN, community, and primary care. Maintain awareness of costs incurred for fee basis, contracting, and VA vascular care. Prescreen clinic lists the week before to ensure each patient has necessary studies prior to appointment. Attend weekly conferences and follow-up on tasks assigned in the meeting. Present cases in weekly case conference and participate in education activities. Assists in meeting performance measures for Vascular Surgery. Work with RN Surgery Coordinator to ensure utilization of clinics and surgery block time. Participate in Peer Review. Work as a team with vascular surgeons, nursing, technicians, primary care, administration, lab, pharmacy, dieticians, and ancillary staff on behalf of patient care. Serve on committees, teams, workgroups, and chart reviews as requested/approved by administration. Other duties as assigned.