Advanced Practice Registered Nurses / Physician Assistants
Internal Number: 825038100
The Physician Assistant is assigned to Health Care Center - Home Based Primary Care, as an Interdisciplinary Team Member and Primary Medical Provider. Treatment modalities include those of a Primary Medical Provider, inclusive of standard medical care that is offered in a safe, effective, efficient, and compassionate manner. The PA shall demonstrate appropriate level of medical judgement regarding decision-making, data management and communications with other Interdisciplinary Members. 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 United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. English Language Proficiency. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English. Education: Master's degree in any discipline OR Bachelor's degree in any discipline with one year of experience as a Physician Assistant ~AND~ Certification: Successfully passed the PA National Certifying Exam (PANCE) (or are you in the process to taking the exam) ~AND~ Licensure: 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) (a) Experience and Education. None beyond the basic requirements. This is the entry level 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. 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. 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 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 (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-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. Preferred Experience: Geriatrics clinical practice, primary care practice, home care/home visit experience Reference: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G8. For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is VN-03. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of VN-01 to VN-03. Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity (including depth perception), keen hearing (aide permitted), clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity in both hands. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking (2-4 hours), standing (2-6 hours), stooping, sitting, bending, pulling (1-2 hours), and pushing (1-2 hours), lifting, carrying less then 15 pounds. Transferring patients and objects may be required. Must complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as annual TB screening or testing, as a condition of employment. Incumbent who provides care in home settings or other off-site locations may be required to drive and/or ride in GSA-vehicles. ["Position will be under Geriatrics and Extended Care Service/Health Care Center (HCC). The major duties include, but not limited to: Clinical: Utilizes clinical assessments to develop plans of care which reflect therapeutic, educational, preventative, and rehabilitative aspects of care. Performs a comprehensive patient assessment including health history, physical examination, evaluations of deviations form the norm and age specific disease screening, immunizations, and health counseling. Formulates differential diagnosis and initiates appropriate intervention based on physical finds. Refer Veterans to specialty clinics when indicated. Orders and evaluates results of screening and diagnostic tests pertinent to patient complaints and physical findings. Determining the need for consultation from subspecialty clinics. Prescribes non-pharmacological therapies and treatments including, but not limited to, prosthetics, colostomy supplies, dressings, diets, etc. Performs phlebotomy procedures for obtaining specimens for diagnostic procedures. Advises, teaches, and counsels individuals, families and groups regarding identified healthcare needs and provides information for prevention of illness and injury. Administrative: Contributes to the formation of health policies that enhance health care of patients. Adhere to all Medical Center policies regarding safety and fire training, use of personal protective equipment and safety controls. Serves on committees and task forces as assigned. Education: Participates in planning and providing educational programs in the unit, service and Medical Center level. Participates in interdisciplinary education within the Medical Center and community health related programs. Assists Veterans to become responsible for their own health care through education. Serves as a clinical preceptor for students as requested. Develops educational programs designed to keep staff knowledgeable in current patient care practices in clinical specialty. Updates Chief, Geriatrics and Extended Care Service quarterly or as needed. Performs other duties as assigned. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:30 am - 4:00 pm Compressed/Flexible: May be available Telework: Ad-Hoc Only Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized"]
The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, providing care at 1,321 health care facilities, including 172 VA Medical Centers and 1,138 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics) to over 9 million Veterans enrolled in the VA health care program. VHA Medical Centers provide a wide range of services including traditional hospital-based services such as surgery, critical care, mental health, orthopedics, pharmacy, radiology and physical therapy. In addition, most of our medical centers offer additional medical and surgical specialty services including audiology & speech pathology, dermatology, dental, geriatrics, neurology, oncology, podiatry, prosthetics, urology, and vision care. Some medical centers also offer advanced services such as organ transplants and plastic surgery.