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. Preferred Experience: 3 years experience in Outpatient Mental Health Physician Assistant Grade Requirements: a. General (1) Recency and Quality of Experience. Recency or quality of training and experience as a PA should be carefully reviewed when determining the appropriate grade. To be creditable, experience must demonstrate possession of knowledge, 4 skills and abilities related to the current practice of a PA. The importance of specific types of experience or training may vary per the intended assignment. (2) Grades. The level of PA practice may be performed based on a combination of education and experience. Beyond the minimum education requirements, grade determination upon appointment, and advancement is dependent more on acquired knowledge, skills, and abilities than baseline education. As the PA acquires the knowledge and judgment that accrues with experience, the privilege of increased authority for patient care maybe expanded. (3) Research. At any grade, PAs may assist in or conduct approved research projects relative to PA care that enhances their knowledge and skills in the profession. b. Grade Determination In addition to the basic requirements stated above, the following qualification criteria must be met in determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates: (1) Physician Assistant-I (PA-I) (a) Experience and Education. None beyond the basic requirements. This is the entry level grade for PAs. (b) 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: i. Ability to utilize the principles of PA practice in the care of assigned patients to provide appropriate care. ii. Ability to perform patient history and physical. iii. Ability to formulate a plan and provide treatment to the patient. iv. Ability to provide patient care that is abreast of changing concepts and advancements in the profession. (2) Physician Assistant-II (PA-II) (a) 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: i. Two years of successful practice as a PA. OR ii. 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 iii. A doctoral degree in a health-related field from an accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. (b) 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: i. Skills to analyze and solve complex medical problems. ii. Ability to function autonomously and make independent medical decisions. iii. Skill to incorporate training and experience into the successful practice of patient care including telehealth medical care. iv. Ability to work effectively in an interdisciplinary environment for improvement of services for patient care. v. Ability to practice with colleagues and peers collaboratively (3) Physician Assistant-III (PA-III) (a) 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[1]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: i. Three years of successful practice as a PA. OR ii. 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 iii. 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. (b) 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: i. Ability to clinically evaluate facility patient care delivery systems and validate or identify barriers to safe and effective patient care. ii. 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). iii. Ability to present clinical findings and recommendations to appropriate management officials. iv. Ability to clinically facilitate the delivery of patient care in collaboration with health professionals, health managers, and other health care personnel. v. 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. vi. 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 grade III. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of Grade I to Grade III Physical Requirements: Walking, bending, stooping, and some lifting in the direct care of patients. There may also be extended periods of sitting.
A position exists for a full-time advanced practice level Physician Assistant for the outpatient Mental Health program with the Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center. FUNCTIONS/SCOPES OF PRACTICE Screens applicants to determine their need for hospital admission (with the collaborating physician's concurrence; only the collaborating physician has authority to deny admission). Provides individual therapy/counseling. Assists with psychiatric procedures such as electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), or other procedures (with appropriate training). Conducts Psychiatric assessments, counseling, medical management and treatment planning in a variety of settings, including, but not limited to, urgent care/outpatient settings. Performs duties related to admission to an inpatient or residential unit. Performs examinations and screening scales (such as AIMS, MoCA, HAM-D) and similar non-invasive examinations specific to the ongoing care of psychiatric patients. Obtains medical histories and performs physical examinations. Provides and coordinate mental health care for assigned patients in any care setting, including establishing diagnoses, formulating and implementing care plans, and providing follow-up care. Evaluates patients to determine the need for further health care and/or consultation with other specialties. Assists in Carrying out health promotion, disease prevention, and patient education activities. Orders ancillary services, such as, laboratory specimens, pharmacy, social services, physical medicine and rehabilitation therapies, prosthetic services, etc. Orders VA specialty service consults and initiating requests for non-VA medical care and consults in accordance with VHA and local facility policy and procedures. Orders patient care supplies. Writes Orders and assists in prescribing medications. Provides education and counseling of patients and families in preventive care, medical conditions, and the use of prescribed treatments and drugs. Participates on interdisciplinary councils, task forces, and committees as assigned Performs other duties as assigned including assigned administrative duties such as quality assurance, peer review, research, and serving on various committees Other duties assigned Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00AM-4:30PM EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact James Anderson at James.Anderson5@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package.