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. All VA employees should apply to the internal announcement CBSS-12560004-24-DRB.

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Each Physician Assistant within the Surgery Program is expected to provide extensive coordination among specialties, subspecialties and other services; coordinate continuity of patient care services; and assist resident physicians in learning and functioning within the detailed guidelines of surgical patient care in a major VA Medical Center. In addition, the Physician Assistant in Surgery is to be a resource person for resident and staff physicians in the planning and execution of tasks related to service administration, on-going research, education, and clinical patient care programs.
Each Physician Assistant in Surgery is expected to perform the following functions as staff Physician Assistants within the Surgery Program, regardless of specialty service:

• Effectively establish and maintain relationships with both the house staff and attending surgeons within this service.
• Establish similar relationships with facility administration and the physician, nursing, and technical staff members of other services.
• Accept substantial accountability in assisting the Surgery Program physicians in the planning, organization, and coordination of a complex, integrated health care program.
• Provide a critical link in integrating the multi-disciplinary approach to management programs the Surgery Program provides patients, as well as helping to insure that surgical input to the integrated programs of care provided by other services is prompt and complete. Collaborate with other health care professionals and personnel as necessary to facilitate this care.
• Enhance the distinctive and contributory role of Physician Assistants at this institution and in the health care delivery system as a whole.
• Participate in long-range program planning and model development for effective delivery of health services by the Surgery Program.
• Provide a key resource for the residents, allowing them to quickly translate their desires and expectations with regard to patient care into practical and attainable patient care plans within the VA system. Strive for compliance with VA policies and procedures in all phases of its operation.

Functions in Clinical Practice:
Deliver Individual Patient Care:
These specific duties include:
(1) History & Physical Examination: Approaches patients in all settings and obtains appropriate historical database and physical examination, including rectal and pelvic examination. Records historical database and physical examination findings in a format appropriate for clinical setting.
(2) Clinical Communications & the Medical Record: Assists Surgery Program physicians in coordinating the design, scheduling, and implementation of physician directed diagnostic and treatment plans for both in- and out-patients. Assists in coordinating the communications and interaction of diagnostic, therapeutic, and consulting agencies involved in the care of patients served by the subspecialty.
(3) Patient Education - Provides educational information to the patient and family about the problem for which the Surgery Program has been consulted.
(4) Diagnostic Procedures - Orders appropriate clinical laboratory studies on blood, body fluids, and/or tissue samples for patients in all settings; obtains central venous, peripheral venous and/or arterial blood samples as required.

The PA also performs Specialized Functions Requested by Individual Treating Subspecialties, Including But Not Limited to the Following:
Orthopedic Surgery

• Provides comprehensive, professional skilled care of patients seeking orthopedic treatment in an outpatient orthopedic clinic.
• Assists Orthopedic surgeons with preoperative and postoperative evaluations.
• Provides telephone consultation; screens consults for appropriate and timely care prior to scheduling; and communicates with other inpatient multidisciplinary team members such as Pharmacy, Dietary, IT, Lab, and other specialists/providers.
• Recognizes routine and emergent conditions inherent to the specialty of orthopedic surgery.
• Assists orthopedic surgeon in the Operating Room with minor surgical procedures.
• Performs certain minor surgical/therapeutic procedures including but not limited to: suturing/closure of lacerations, removal of sutures and staples, obtaining biopsies, wound debridement/cultures/VAC dressing application and changes, administration of local and topical anesthesia.
• Must be able to work independently and communicate closely with Orthopedic MD via phone, email or other forms of electronic communication.

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE: Experience equal or similar to PA Grade II as outlined in the qualifications section.

Work Schedule: Full-time, Monday-Friday 7am - 3:30pm
Compressed/Flexible: Determined by Supervisor
Telework: Not Available for Telework
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Approved
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.

Grade Determinations:
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. 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.

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 Grade 03. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of Grade 01 to Grade 03.

Physical Requirements: Applicants must meet physical standards for the position. A physical examination prior to placement is required. This is a designated drug testing position. After appointment, you will be subject to random testing for illegal drug use. 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. Must have depth perception and ability to distinguish basic colors and shades of colors. Hearing aid is permitted. See VA Directive 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, resume, 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.