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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The Emergency Department (ED) Physician Assistant is responsible for managing patients with emergent and/or urgent medical and psychological complaints in an ED setting. Management is achieved through assessment, planning, implementation, collaboration and evaluation to meet the needs of patients. The Physician Assistant promotes self-care and enlists the participation of patients in establishing realistic health goals. In addition to providing direct patient care, the Physician Assistant also provides patient and family teaching, staff education; consults and collaborates with other health care providers; prescribes medications and adjunctive modalities; and refers patients. The Physician Assistant adheres to the American Standards of Practice for the Acute Care Physician Assistant.

DUTIES:

• Coordinate and supervise the delivery of outpatient care for Emergency
• Department patients including patient evaluation; treatment including biopsies, order appropriate medications, schedule follow-up as needed, appropriate referrals as needed.
• Serve as primary Emergency Department provider for an independent panel of clinic patients after an initial training period.
• Perform new patient Emergency Department consultation and return Emergency Department visits and telephone follow up visits and collaborate with Emergency Department staff. Establish a comprehensive plan of care based on clinical findings and standards of care. Establish mutual goals with patient/family.
• Prescribe medications based on patients' status, accepted scientific guidelines, prescriptive authority, and ongoing evaluation of therapies.
• Lead and direct others in Emergency Department to assure access to and continuity of care across the VA continuum, between referral bases, and transitioning from inpatient/observation status toward outpatient follow-up care.
• Order and interpret diagnostic tests, including but not limited to biopsies, laboratory tests, and appropriate radiology studies.
• Help triage requests for outpatient Emergency Department consultation in a timely manner, coordinate tests and visits based on clinical urgency, and assist in facilitating IFC consults.
• Work effectively with others to initiate and lead interdisciplinary groups and establish relationships with professional and/or other related groups within the community.
• Demonstrate ability to function independently in advanced leadership, critical thinking, problem solving, and project management skills.
• Performs procedures within the approved scope of practice and based on documented competencies:
• Performing diagnostic and stabilization procedures based on ACLS protocol.
• Performing procedures such as incision and drainage, joint aspiration, suturing
• Screening patients to determine the need for hospital admission
• Screening patients to determine the need for further health care including consultations
• Ordering and interpreting diagnostic studies such as laboratory test, X-rays, electrocardiograms, PFT's, CT, MRI, stress testing, nuclear medicine studies
• Ordering and/or starting IV solutions and medications
• Ordering and/or inserting nasogastric suction catheters
• Ordering or performing bladder catheterization
• Ordering "one on one" status on patients with SI or at risk for elopement
• Performing medical clearance exams on patients being admitted to inpatient mental health
• Performing other procedures as listed in credentialing packet
• Other duties may include serving on committees and administrative duties as directed by Chief of Medicine Inpatient and ER

VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package.

Work Schedule: Is Variable and can be compress. Hours worked will be discussed during the interview process and at the time of hire.
Contract Buy Out Program: This position may be eligible for the Physician / Provider Contract Buy Out Program (CBOP), which authorizes VHA to buy out service contracts (Locum agreements, loan repayments, sign-on bonus contracts, Physician-owned practices) in exchange for employment at certain rural or highly rural facilities for a period of obligated service (minimum 4 years). For additional information and eligibility requirements, contact the VHA Contract Buy Out Program Manager at vacontractbuyoutprog@va.gov.

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: One year of experience in Emergency Room and Urgent Care with experience in bedside procedures.

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. Grade and Step determinations of the selected applicant will be determined by the appropriate Physician Assistant Professional Standards Board and will be based on the selected individuals education and experience.

Physician Assistant-I (PA-I)

• Experience and Education: None beyond the basic requirements. This is the entry level for PA's

• Experience and Education: 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, US Armed Forces, or another accrediting agency OR a doctoral degree in a health-related field from an accredited college or university recognized by the US Department of Education.

• Experience and Education: 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, US Armed Forces, or another accrediting agency AND one year of professional practice as a PA.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
The full performance level of this vacancy is PA III. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of PA I to PA III.

Physical Requirements: The work requires standing or walking for a major portion of the workday. In the clinics you may need to assist patients into the examination rooms when in wheelchairs or on carts, which could consist of a variety of standing, walking, twisting, turning, sitting, bending, pushing, carrying and light lifting. This may be considered demanding physical activity.

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.