Clarification from the agency

Open to Durham VA HCS employees only.

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INTRODUCTION
The Physician Assistant (PA) will be an Advanced Practice Provider (APP) for the Durham VA Health Care System (DVAHCS). The primary area of responsibility will be in the Office of Community Care.

The PA will be fully qualified and certified to function in both a clinical and administrative role and in accordance with the guidelines and policies of the DVAHCS. This individual is delegated the authority and responsibility in his/her area of expertise to assume clinical, consultative, educational, and administrative duties and assignments to facilitate the care coordination of DVAHCS patients receiving services from our Community Care partners.

FUNCTIONAL OR SCOPE OF ASSIGNED DUTIES
Clinical (approximately 65%):

1. Primary focus is clinical care coordination for patients in the DVAHCS Transplant Program.
2. Assists with the coordination of transplant care, in collaboration with DVAHCS Medicine Service Transplant Coordinators and the Community Care Transplant Coordinator RN, for patients who are either: undergoing transplant work-up, currently listed for transplant, or are status posttransplant.
3. Participates as a member of the multidisciplinary team to facilitate transplant services for Veterans throughout the DVAHCS.
4. Facilitates patient's entry and exit from various health care systems by establishing and maintaining liaison with a variety of medical specialists and associated staff within this facility, other VA facilities, VA Transplant Centers and non-VA transplant facilities.
5. Collaborates and coordinates with other health care resources to ensure continuity of care.
6. Keeps abreast of the latest VHA Transplant Program policies and procedures and serves as a resource person for medical center staff.
7. Follows the Office of Community Care policies and procedures for transplant referrals sent to DVAHCS Community Partners.
8. Utilize the Transplant Referral and Cost Evaluation/Reimbursement (TRACER) system for initial review of transplant candidates.
9. Monitor and capture transplant related care and events for Veterans completion of clinical requirements for TRACER submissions and Community Care referrals.

Administrative (approximately 30%):

1. DVAHCS Transplant Program liaison to the National Transplant Program Office, VISN Office, DVAHCS Executive Leadership Team, DVAHCS Service Chiefs, and Service Line Transplant Coordinators regarding all DVAHCS transplant issues.
2. Creates and maintains a database to track all DVAHCS transplant cases, following the Veterans from initial evaluation, TRACER submission, in conjunction with the Community Care Transplant Coordinator.

Education/Research (approximately 5%):

1. Promotes and participates in the delivery of patient and family transplant education related to the coordination of transplant services and community care services.
2. Participates, directs, and provides opportunities for staff development through in-service education as needed.
3. Assures self-development responsibilities and maintains current knowledge of VHA transplant services and Office of Community Care services.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005/134.


Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 0800- 1630, No Call Coverage
Financial Discloser Report: Not required

Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• Designated and/or random drug testing required
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English
• You may be required to serve a probationary period
• Subject to a background/security investigation
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination

Qualifications

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.
• 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.
• Must have successfully passed the PA National Certifying Exam (PANCE).
• PAs 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. -
• • - Exceptions for Graduate PAs.
  • (a) 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).
  • (b) Graduate PAs may only be appointed at the entry grade level and may not be promoted/converted until certification is obtained.
  • (c) Temporary graduate PA appointments may not be extended beyond two years or converted to a new temporary appointment.
  • NOTE: Individuals who have or have had multiple licenses and had any such license revoked for professional misconduct, professional incompetence or substandard care, or who surrendered such license after receiving written notice of potential termination of such license by the State for professional misconduct, professional incompetence, or substandard care, are not eligible for appointment to the position unless such revoked or surrendered license is fully restored (38 U.S.C. § 7402(f)). This requirement does not apply to licensed PAs currently employed by VA as of November 30, 1999, provided they maintain continuous appointment and are not disqualified for employment by any subsequent revocations or voluntary surrenders of State license, registration or certification

The full performance level of this vacancy is VN-0603-III. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of VN-0603-I to VN-0603-III.

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:

(1) 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.

(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 multidisciplinary 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: VA HANDBOOK 5005/78 SEPTEMBER 5, 2014 PART II APPENDIX G8 II-G8. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office.

Physical Requirements: See VA Directives and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, résumé, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

NOTE: A formal pay-setting process will be used to determine your salary. The salary may be at any point in the range listed for this vacancy.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.