Advanced Practice Registered Nurses / Physician Assistants
Internal Number: 825772700
We are seeking a Physician Assistant (PA) in Orthopedics at the John J. Pershing VA Medical Center to provide comprehensive care, including patient evaluations, diagnostic testing, joint injections, and emergency procedures. The PA will collaborate with supervising physicians, manage treatments within established protocols, and ensure accurate documentation and patient education. This role demands clinical expertise, procedural skill, and teamwork in a multidisciplinary setting. 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: At least 5 years experience as a Physician Assistant in Orthopedics Grade Determinations: 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: 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: 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 Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is 3. Physical Requirements: This position requires a pre-employment physical. Requires lifting 15-44 pounds; pushing (approx. 2 hours); reaching above shoulder; use of fingers and both hands; walking and standing from 3-5 hours and kneeling. Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously. Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4. Far visions correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other. Must have depth perception and ability to distinguish basic colors and shades of colors. Hearing aid is permitted. ["The John J. Pershing VA Medical Center is in the active and thriving community of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, the \"Gateway to the Ozarks.\" Poplar Bluff has a population of 17,000, and cost of living in the area is among the lowest in the country. We are within a two-hour drive of several large cities and have a small airport. The area is quite scenic and outdoor recreational opportunities abound in nearby national and state parks and forests. The major duties of a Physician Assistant include but are not limited to: Patient Care Provide direct care to inpatients and outpatients, ensuring comprehensive and timely medical services within the established scope of practice. Conduct medical histories and physical examinations, recording data essential for sound treatment planning. Order and monitor the scheduling of diagnostic and laboratory tests, including X-rays and consults. Perform compensation and pension exams. Counsel patients and families about preventive care, medical issues, and prescribed treatments. Administer and manage intravenous medications and injections following established protocols. Clinical Procedures Perform joint injections and aspirations. Initiate diagnostic tests and external cardiac compressions during emergencies. Order and administer oxygen and initiate defibrillation procedures as needed. Prescriptions and Orders Write medical orders and prescriptions for medications (excluding controlled substances classes II-V), as per hospital/clinic formulary. Document and cosign all patient-related activities in electronic medical records. Collaboration and Communication Collaborate with supervising physicians on patient management, ensuring appropriate documentation and corrective actions if needed. Serve as an agent of the supervising physician in the provision of care. Performance Review Participate in quarterly performance reviews with supervising physicians, ensuring adherence to the defined scope of practice. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May Be Authorized for highly qualified candidates. 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.
