Physician Assistant - Primary Care

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.

Preferred Experience: Primary Care provider with women health experience.

Experience as provider that can practice with limited supervision.must possess an active license in any state or territory in United States, and must always maintain privileges at VA Medical Center, Fargo.

Grade Determinations: 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.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position.

Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination. Major Duties:

The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers.

This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest.

As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran.

This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community.

This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.

The PA practices general medicine with a focus on community-based outpatient clinical care.

Approximately 90% of the PA's time is dedicated to developing and maintaining an interdisciplinary approach to the direct care of general medicine clinic patients.

The PA independently follows his own panel of general medicine patients, functioning as their primary care provider.

This primary care/gatekeeper's role is incumbent with a high degree of responsibility and independence.

The location of the CBOC away from the Medical Center means that the PA's assessment skills and breadth of knowledge must be superior.

In addition, the employee must be a highly effective communicator to negotiate with consultants at the Fargo VA HCS regarding the triaging of patients he refers to.

Provider will be required to be a designated women's provider and complete the mandatory VHA training.

Providers may be required to travel to the CBOC's or provide gap coverage as determined by the supervisor.vi.

All providers will meet the work relative value unit (RVU's) as determined by the national office for primary care providers. Typical work hours are Monday to Friday 8-4.30 PM.

Alternative work hours, if desired, should be agreed upon at the time of joining. Each full-time provider is required to work a minimum of 80 hrs.

per pay period (every two weeks) unless on leave status. Providers will need to act as surrogates for the patients of their colleagues, when one or more of their colleagues are on leave.

Alternative or collateral duties may include management of a subsection of primary care patients, the subsection may be defined either by a disease status (e.g.

spinal cord injury patients), or demographic status (women veterans, OIF/OEF veterans, employees etc.). Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8 hour shifts, 8-4:30pm.

EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact VHA.ELRSProgramSupport@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more