Physician Assistant ( Gastroenterology)

Full Job Description

Physician Assistant (Gastroenterology) Certified Mid-level provider specific for treatment of patients with Gastroenterology conditions.

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: 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. ii.

Successful completion of a PA post-graduate residency program sponsored by VHA Officeof 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: 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: Bending, pushing, pulling, reaching and occasional kneeling, crawling and squatting; lifting, carrying, bending, and manipulation of equipment; patient assistance and positioning; walking and prolonged standing; the ability to read written orders, computer screens, patient records, and equipment controls; and the ability to communicate with patients, physicians, and coworkers.

Near visual acuity to assess patient's physical condition when performing exams, and evaluating images for diagnostic quality.

Must be able to speak and hear to communicate with patients; ability to make critical decisions, interact with patients of different ages and health conditions, maintain patient confidentiality, work under stressful conditions, such as operating or emergency rooms.

Major Duties:

Physician Assistant (Gastroenterology) Duties and Responsibilities: Clinical: 1. To recognize the stages of fibrosis and apply accepted protocols and algorithms of care based on objective staging. 2.

Evaluation of and diagnosing common Gastroenterology conditions to develop effective treatment strategies in accordance with accepted societal and VA guidelines.

Recognize differences between acute and chronic gastroentestinal conditions and with a specialized skill set, when something is NOT attributable to liver dysfunction. 3.

Be able to analyze results of specific serologic tests, imaging and ancillary testing specific to gastroentestinal disease. 4.

To distinguish between those gastroentestinal patients based on history, physical findings, objective testing Vets needing advance liver care and follow up vs those who can be set back to Primary Care for management.

5. Accept established vets with gastroentestinal disease with compensated advanced fibrosis for routine follow up maintenance care and HCC surveillance 6.

Be Familiar with specialized liver transplant indications and requirements based on MELD scores, exception points and other objective data. 7.

Know how specifically to test and treat hepatic encephalopathy, diuretic management, treat large volume ascites and progressive hepatic decline. 8.

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. 9.

Utilizes and promotes approved standards of care, procedures, methods and techniques, safety precautions and protocols in their application to the gastroenterology patient population in all settings.

10.Collaborates with other health care resources to insure continuity of care. 11.

Keeps abreast of latest trends, skills, and protocols relevant in the area of specialty and serves as a resource person for the medical center staff. Administrative: 1.

Primary resource for outpatient hepatology consults, assessing patient acuity and appropriately schedules evaluations. 2. Monitors and maintains consult tracking package. 3.

Maintains hepatology database and monitors laboratory evaluations for the outpatient gastroenterology population. 4. Completes patient's disability and insurance forms as needed. 5.

Arranges for gastroenterology procedures and interventions with the Radiology and Surgery services. 6.

Oversees scheduling to the outpatient gastroenterology clinics with resolution of scheduling conflicts. Education/Research: 1.

Promotes and participates in the delivery of patient and family health and gastroenterology education. 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 trends in gastroenterology and clinical medicine. 4.

Participates in Gastroenterology Section's clinical research programs when appropriate VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package.

Work Schedule: Monday- Friday 8:00am-4:30p.m Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized