Clarification from the agency

This announcement is open to current, permanent employees of the Columbia VA Health Care System only.

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This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.


Duties include, but are not limited to:
- Supervise and coordinate activities of the physician health team to ensure optimal patient care services. Demonstrates leadership skills in improving patient care delivery systems.
- Perform diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, diagnose medical and surgical problems, prescribe necessary treatment and services for quality patient care. Documents appropriately in the EMR.
- Take patient histories, conduct physical examinations, and record the date in the EMR; write progress notes and narratives discharge summaries; prepare patient workups and summaries noting pertinent positive and negative findings.
- Order laboratory studies and diagnostic procedures; explain the necessity preparation, nature and anticipated effects of scheduled diagnostic and therapeutic procedures to the patient.
- Monitor progress of patients, follow up as indicated, and maintain adequate records of patient's progress in the EMR.
- Facilitate the delivery of patient care in collaboration with health professional, clinical managers, nurse managers, and other healthcare personnel,
- Make decisions which serve to enhance the distinctive and contributory role of a Physician Assistant within the healthcare system.
- May make work assignments for assigned nursing and technical personnel; review the work of lower level employees and train new personnel.
- Develops and coordinate complex programs, training and/or education related to primary care.
- Establishes and maintains relationships within the service, facility management and other services that result in improved care.
- Participates in long range program planning and model development for the delivery of primary care and related services.
- Assure implementation, maintenance, and compliance with standards of professional practices of all health care personnel within the service.
-The above functions describe the general nature and level of work being performed, this is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required.
-Performs other related duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 A.M. - 4:30 P.M Subject to change based on agency need.

Telework: Not available.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be authorized.
EDRP Authorized: Authorized (2/21/23 amended to indicate authorized). Learn more. Contact Lena.Gowder@va.gov , the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance.
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized.
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Conditions of employment

• All qualified candidates encouraged to apply. Open to U.S. Citizens but non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• 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 background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

Qualifications

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: Two years in Primary Care

Grade Determinations:
1. 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:
1. Ability to utilize the principles of PA practice in the care of assigned patients to provide appropriate care. 2. Ability to perform patient history and physical.
3. Ability to formulate a plan and provide treatment to the patient. Ability to provide patient care that is abreast of changing concepts and advancements in the profession.

2. 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:

• Two 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. OR
• 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:

1. Skills to analyze and solve complex medical problems.
2. Ability to function autonomously and make independent medical decisions.
3. Skill to incorporate training and experience into the successful practice of patient care including telehealth medical care.
4. Ability to work effectively in an interdisciplinary environment for improvement of services for patient care.
5. Ability to practice with colleagues and peers collaboratively.

3. 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 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:

• 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:

1. Ability to clinically evaluate facility patient care delivery systems and validate or identify barriers to safe and effective patient care.
2. 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).
3. Ability to present clinical findings and recommendations to appropriate management officials.
4. Ability to clinically facilitate the delivery of patient care in collaboration with health professionals, health managers, and other health care personnel. 5. 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.
6. Ability to participate clinically in the development of the PA patient care audit processes involving in-depth review and analysis of medical records.


References: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-8 Physician Assistant Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office.

The full performance level of this vacancy is VN-3. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of VN-1 to VN-3.

Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting, 15-44 pounds; straight pulling (4 hours); pushing (4 hours); reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; both hands required; walking (2 hours);standing (7 hours); kneeling (1 hour); repeated bending (4 hours); both legs required; near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; far-vision correctable in one eye to 20/50 and to 20/100 in the other; ability to distinguish basic colors; hearing (aid permitted); mental and emotional stability required.

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.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.