This Physician Assistant (PA) will work directly for the Chief of the Gynecology Service. His/her duties and responsibilities will be at the direction of those Attending Physicians. This advanced practice provider will be fully qualified and certified to function in clinical and administrative roles and in accordance with the guideline and policies of the Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Center. 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: Citizenship. Must be a citizen of the United States. Education. 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. Additionally, candidates must 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 PA. Certification. Must have successfully passed the PA National Certifying Exam (PANCE). Licensure. Must possess an active, current, 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. Must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) and 7407(d). Exceptions for Graduate PAs. PAs who otherwise meet the basic requirements, but do not possess the required licensure, may be appointed, pending licensure, as a graduate PA on a temporary full-time appointment not-to-exceed two years under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2)(B). 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. 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. 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: 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. 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. 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: 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. 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 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, use of hands and fingers, use of cranes and motor vehicles, walking, standing, bending and climbing. The incumbent must be physically and mentally able to efficiently perform the essential functions of this position without hazard to themselves or others. ["General description of assigned duties include but are not limited to: Clinical (90%): The Physician Assistant (PA) assists with clinical aspects of care to the patients of the Gynecology Service. This includes performing evaluations, consultations, and the writing of orders in Gynecology clinic. The PA has the authority to order all tests and procedures necessary to evaluate and care for Gynecology patients. The PA will collaborate with Gynecology attendings to initiate and coordinate fee-basis requests so that care/studies can be provided. The PA also works collaboratively with nursing staff to provide clinical guidance for patient triage needs via in-person encounters or other telephone or electronic communications. All Gynecology evaluations/orders written by the PA will fall within the guidelines of the NC Board of Medical Examiners and the bylaws of the Durham VAMC. The PA provides clinical management of healthcare to veterans assigned to the Gynecology service. The PA facilitates care of Gynecology patients as well as their entry and exit from various health care systems by establishing and maintaining liaison with a variety of surgical/medical specialists and associated staff. The advanced practice provider ensures that all outpatient Garner (and Durham as needed) Gynecology consult requests are reviewed, examined, and completed within 24-48 hours. On a regular and recurring basis, the PA reviews all upcoming Gynecology consult patients to ensure that they have had their studies completed before their clinic appointment. If they have not been completed, then they facilitate rescheduling as needed. The PA will also request the required imaging and laboratory studies from outside facilities as needed and is the point of contact to Radiology/Lab services regarding all absent imaging orders, incomplete/inaccurate imaging requests, and incomplete lab requests. The PA initiates and accepts referrals to clinics and/or community agencies. Collaborates with other health care resources to insure timely and appropriate care of patients. The PA will also work with the CITC office to ensure patients for whom have referrals to community subspecialty providers have completed the following: been scheduled with the appropriate subspecialty providers and have received the appropriate subspecialty care . The PA will coordinate with the CITC office and patients directly about compliance with scheduling and receipt of community care subspecialty services. Performs office procedures within their realm of expertise and under the direction of the Chief of Gynecology and in accordance with the individual's Scope of Practice. Expected proficiency in office procedures includes: EMB, LARC insertions/removals, colposcopy, skin biopsies, and bedside ultrasounds of early pregnancy. Responds to and participates with the Gynecology Chief and other administrative officials regarding patient problems and issues. Tracks, reviews and coordinates care for patients with abnormal pathology results from procedures (Pap smears, endometrial biopsies, dilation and curettage, hysterectomy, oophorectomy, etc.), and abnormal radiology results, for the Gynecology Service. Other clinical duties as assigned by the Gynecology Section Chief. Administrative (10%): Facilitate response/actions to patient inquires to care and treatment received by the Gynecology Service. Develop clinical programs, educational materials, and processes as needed with clinical expansion. Attends committee meetings and process action teams representing the Gynecology service at the direction of the Gynecology Section Chief as needed in Garner and Durham. As needed assists other advanced practice practitioners assigned to Women's Health Center and Ambulatory Care Service who have administrative or clinical concerns. Assists the Gynecology Section Chief with quality-of-care activities. Other administrative duties as assigned by the Chief of Gynecology. Preferred Experience: 2-3 years of Women's Health Clinical experience as a Physician Assistant Proficient in Gynecologic procedures such as LARC placements/removals, EMB's, Early Pregnancy Ultrasound, and Colposcopy. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. Work Schedule: 07:30a.m.-4:00p.m. OR 8:00a.m.-4:30p.m. (To be determined with the selecting official) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized"]

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