Clarification from the agency

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.

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Cardiothoracic Surgery Duties

• Design and conduct comprehensive examinations, diagnosis and implementation of treatment plans, admission orders, discharge summaries, ordering special labs, and radiographic studies
• Provide medical education/counseling to patients & their families
• Verify, establish, and assure that identified pre-operative surgical requirements are met, assure appropriate arrangements have been established for admission, and coordinate inpatient activities on the floor
• Primarily responsible for admissions and medical care of patients
• Assist the surgeon in the operating room, including prepping and draping, and first or second assist in surgery
• Perform bedside procedures including placement of arterial lines, swan-ganz catheters and central lines, bronchoscopy, changing of tracheostomy tubes, wound care and debridement, thoracentesis, removal of chest tubes, temporary pacing wires, intra-aortic balloon pump, central lines, arterial lines, and drains
• Demonstrate ability to diagnose and treat cardiothoracic surgery patients seen in consultation with other health care providers
• Promote patient care programs for the cardiothoracic surgery patient and periodically update them based upon current and new concepts, research, as well as findings of the attending physician
• Integrates the activities of the cardiothoracic surgery service with other patient care programs at the facility
• Manage a task force for Quality Assurance within cardiothoracic section
• Coordinate holistic inpatient and outpatient care, identification of problems, issues, conflicts or barriers to uneventful patient care
• Conduct problem solving to formulate a patient care plan to avoid these issues preoperatively while coordinating with social work
• Establish and maintain relationships with social work, rehabilitation, medical, and dietary services throughout the facility for improved efficient patient care

• Considers factors related to safety, effectiveness, and cost in planning and delivering care
• Obtains history, physical examination, and assessment of ongoing patient needs through effective use of the nursing process to make practice decisions in an ethical manner
• Orders and interprets routine laboratory tests, diagnostic studies, and radiographic tests
• Performs diagnostic and stabilization procedures as necessary based on ACLS
• Collaborates with respiratory therapy and nursing for airway management and ventilator weaning
• Writes orders for laboratory work, medications, and treatments in compliance with hospital policies
• Communicates with Surgical Service physicians' patient problems and status updates
• Participates in and prepares discharge planning needs for SICU patients through communication with team members, patients, families, and consultants
• Documents relevant laboratory data, study results, patient care, pertinent procedures, and patient updates within notes
• Demonstrates competence with placement and removal of enteral feeding tubes, central venous catheters, arterial lines, swan ganz catheters, sutures, drains/tubes
• Assists with and performs invasive procedures including, central lines, arterial lines, bronchoscopy, PEG tube placement, and percutaneous tracheostomy
• Collaborates with physicians, nurses, and other members of the health care team using effective communication and interpersonal skills to develop and maintain interdisciplinary teamwork
• Identifies 'at risk' individuals in need of referrals
• Maintains accurate, timely medical records
• Participates in performance measures through documentation and data collection/reporting
• Acts as a patient advocate
• Assists in investigation and documentation of patient issues and concerns
• Identifies individual differences as related to the physiological, cultural, and psychological aspects of maturational development
• Bases ones practice on research and participates in clinical research projects
• Demonstrates ability to multi-task and prioritize patient care needs

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

• Experience and Education. The Physician Assistant 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 Physician Assistant 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). Physician Assistants 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:
  • Skills to analyze and solve complex medical problems.
  • Ability to function autonomously and make independent medical decisions.
  • Skill to incorporate training and experience into the successful practice of patient care including telehealth medical care.
  • Ability to work effectively in an interdisciplinary environment for improvement of services for patient care.
  • Ability to practice with colleagues and peers collaboratively.

• Experience and Education. Physician Assistants 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 Physician Assistants, 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 Physician Assistant 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. Physician Assistants 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 Physician Assistant patient care audit processes involving in-depth review and analysis of medical records.

• Physical Requirements: Standing, walking, lifting light loads, assisting patients with positioning and transfers. Must be able to use a computer to input orders, review reports etc. Must be able to communicate directions and patient orders. Light lifting (under 15lbs), light carrying (under 15lbs), use of fingers, far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and 20/40 in the other, hearing (aid permitted), emotional stability, mental stability, working closely with others, working alone, and working with biohazardous materials.

How you will be evaluated

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

NOTE: You must include qualifying specialized experience employment periods in mm/yyyy to mm/yyyy format on your resume and indicate Full-Time or Part-Time (if Part-time, must include # of hours worked per week). AND, if you have held a Government position, that position's grade level MUST be listed on your resume; Failure to include all requirements in your resume will result in disqualification. Please refer to USAJOBS Help Center - What should I include in my federal resume? for additional information on resume requirements.

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.