Physician Assistant -Orthopedics

Full Job Description

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program.

You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment.

Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application.

Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.

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 Determination: Physician Assistant-III (PA-III) 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: 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, 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.

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: 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 PA patient care audit processes involving in-depth review and analysis of medical records.

Preferred Experience: Physician Assistant experience in Orthopedics Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G8, dated 09/27/2020. The full performance level of this vacancy is 3. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is 3.

Physical Requirements: This position may require periods of walking, standing, and sitting; some light lifting, reaching overhead, bending, stooping, and work in front of a computer.

The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, and able to shift priorities based on patient needs.

Must complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as annual TB screening or testing, as a condition of employment.

Work Environment: Majority of work is performed in a health care setting with adequate lighting, heating and cooling. Work may involve exposure to infection and possible contagious diseases.

Standard precautions and isolation techniques will be employed as indicated.

There may be occasion where response to physical and/or verbal abuse by patients requires knowledge gained from ongoing violence in the workplace training. Major Duties:

VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package.

Major duties include: Obtain medical history and perform physical examinations Provide and coordinate medical care for assigned patients in any care setting, establishing diagnoses, formulating and implementing care plans and providing follow-up care Order diagnostic studies and other special tests, such as MRI, CT scans, etc.

Order/obtain laboratory specimens Carry out health promotion, disease prevention, and patient education activities Order ancillary services, such as pharmacy, social services, physical medicine and rehabilitation therapies, prosthetic services, etc.

Order VA specialty service consults and initiate requests for non-VA medical care and consults in accordance with VHA and local facility policy and procedures Order patient care supplies Write orders for and/or prescribe medications Perform administrative duties Emergency preparedness Counsel patients and their families on care plan when necessary Work Schedule: Full-time; 8:00am-4:30pm, Monday-Friday.

Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.

Contact David.BillingsleyJR@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more