Physician Assistant (Pulmonary Care)

Full Job Description

The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

Our hospital provides primary care and specialty health services, including bariatric surgery, mental health care, palliative and hospice care, suicide prevention, women's health care, and more.

Below, you'll find our address and hours, parking and transportation information, and the other health services we offer at Washington DC VA Medical Center.

To qualify for this position, you must meet the basic requirements as well as any additional requirements (if applicable) listed in the job announcement.

Applicants pending the completion of training or license requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

Currently employed physician(s) in VA who met the requirements for appointment under the previous qualification standard at the time of their initial appointment are deemed to have met the basic requirements of the occupation.

Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.

Proficiency in spoken and written English.

Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements stated above, the following qualification criteria must be met: 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.

AA 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.

Preferred Requirement: Experience with care of patients with pulmonary diseases, including COPD. 3yrs of clinical experience.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.The full performance level of this vacancy is VN-03.

The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of VN-01 to VN-03.

Physical Requirements: Lifting up to 35 pounds, intermittently; moderate carrying (15-35 pounds), intermittently; lifting over 35 pounds with assistive devices in accordance with the Safe Patient Handling Policy except in emergent situations requiring prompt patient care; pulling, intermittently; pushing, intermittently; reaching above the shoulders, intermittently, both hands required; walking, intermittently; standing, intermittently; kneeling, intermittently; and repeated bending.

Major Duties:

Clinical Duties include but are not limited to: The primary focus of practice is to provide urgent and non-urgent care to patients presenting to the Pulmonary Section.

Providing direct patient care under general supervision. Treating acute, episodic, and chronic conditions, and providing preventive care.

This often involves a more structured scope of practice, following established protocols.

Assists with all clinical aspects of care to the patients assigned to the Pulmonary Section or referred to the Pulmonary Section, according to the scope of practice.

This includes evaluations, writing orders, and doing procedures based on the scope of practice and direction from the supervising physician.

This will include patients referred for evaluation for military exposures. The PA has the authority to order all lab tests, PFT, and other diagnostic studies, radiologic tests, and prescription drugs.

Procedures necessary to conduct these evaluations and orders will fall within the guidelines and bylaws of the Washington DC VA Medical Center.

Initiates and accepts referrals to clinics within VA Medical Centers. Collaborates with other healthcare resources to ensure timely and appropriate care of patients.

Performs procedures and duties in the Pulmonary Section that are consistent with training as a Physician Assistant.

Addresses all pulmonary needs of veterans including acute and chronic pulmonary illnesses and preventive care. Manages MyHealtheVet for the Pulmonary Section.

Participates in the department's weekly pulmonary conference and Tumor Board Conference.

Administrative: Coordinates referrals and evaluation of veterans at the DC Veteran Affairs Medical Center in addition to outside VA's and private sector referrals of Veterans for evaluation and management.

Facilitates response/actions to patient inquires for care and treatment provided by the Section. Other administrative duties as needed. Work Schedule: 8am to 4:30pm, Monday to Friday.

VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards.

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 and possible 5 day paid absence for CME) 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 CME: Possible $1,000 per year reimbursement (must be full-time with board certification) Malpractice: Free liability protection with tail coverage provided Contract: No Physician Employment Contract and no significant restriction on moonlighting Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the next level or grade level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met.

Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the higher level.