Physician Assistant - Orthopedic

Full Job Description

The Albany Stratton VA Medical Center is currently looking for a full-time Physician Assistant (PA). The PA position is located in the Orthopedic Department.

Physician Assistant Basic Requirements Graduate of a training program which is accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education of PA (ARC-PA) or one of its predecessor organizations.

Additionally, candidates must meet one of the following: (1) Master's degree in any discipline; OR (2) Bachelor's degree in any discipline with one year of experience as a PA ~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.

PAs must maintain current registration in the State of licensure if this is a requirement for continuing active and current licensure in that State.

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.

Exceptions for Graduate PAs.

(a) PA's who otherwise meet the basic requirements, but do not possess the required licensure, may be appointed, pending licensure, as a graduate PA on a temporary full-time appointment not-to-exceed two years under the authority of 38 U.S.C.

§ 7405(c)(2)(B). (b) Graduate PA's may only be appointed at the entry grade level and may not be promoted/converted until certification is obtained.

(c) Temporary graduate PA appointments may not be extended beyond two years or converted to a new temporary appointment.

NOTE: Individuals who have or have had multiple licenses and had any such license revoked for professional misconduct, professional incompetence or substandard care, or who surrendered such license after receiving written notice of potential termination of such license by the State for professional misconduct, professional incompetence, or substandard care, are not eligible for appointment to the position unless such revoked or surrendered license is fully restored (38 U.S.C.

§ 7402(f)).

This requirement does not apply to licensed PAs currently employed by VA as of November 30, 1999, provided they maintain continuous appointment and are not disqualified for employment by any subsequent revocations or voluntary surrenders of State license, registration or certification.

Grade Determinations: Qualifications In addition to the basic requirements stated above, the following qualification criteria must be met in determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates.

Physician Assistant-I (PA-I) a) Experience and Education. None beyond the basic requirements 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).

ii. 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.

Preferred Experience: 3+ years of experience related to the position.

2-5+ years of experience in Hospital setting Excellent communication skills (written and verbal) 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. Major Duties:

The Physician Assistant will function to provide care and coordinate processes of the Orthopedic Department.

They will work directly for the Chief of Orthopedics as well as the other Orthopedic Attending Staff.

This PA will be fully qualified and certified to function in both a clinical and administrative role in accordance with the guidelines and policies of the VA Medical Center (VAMC)..

This individual is delegated the authority and responsibility to assume clinical, consultation, educational, research and administrative duties and responsibilities related to the patients and staff of the Orthopedic Department.

The duties and responsibilities will be at the direction and under the supervision of the Chief of Orthopedics.

Duties: Primary focus is the coordination of the Orthopedic Department in its care and treatment of outpatients and inpatients assigned to the Orthopedic department.

Evaluates inpatients/outpatients and writes up consults, assessments, and plans in the patient's chart.

Writes orders for patient care, evaluation and treatment plans in accordance with the individuals Scope of Practice and under the authority of the Chief of Orthopedics or their designee.

Performs clinic procedures to include minor surgical procedures (suture removal, I&D, removal of foreign bodies, joint injections, etc.

Applies and remove casts, splints, dressings, braces and various other devices used in the treatment of orthopedic patients.

Performs general patient counseling, education and pre- and post-operative patient planning.

Performs pre-surgical history and physical exams, admission orders, discharge summaries and operative procedures that they are involved with.

Assist with surgical procedures in the operating room under the supervision of surgical staff. Prescribe medications as allowed by the VAMC and in c/w the VHA PA prescribing directive.

Order and interpret medical tests and x-rays to include specialty procedures (MRI's, CAT, Myelograms, Nuclear Medicine studies etc.) Administrative Duties as needed to support the orthopedic service VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package.

Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment): Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) Authorized: This position is eligible for 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 your start date.

Program 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.

Former participants are ineligible to apply for the EDRP incentive. Contact VHAEDRPProgramSupport@va.gov for questions or assistance Learn more.

Pay: Competitive salary, annual performance bonus, regular salary increases Paid Time Off: 50-55 days of paid time off per year (26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Licensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory Work Schedule: Variable shifts, typically 12-hour shifts including days, nights, weekends and holidays are expected.