Physician Assistant-Neurology

Full Job Description

The Neurology Physician Assistant (PA) is an experienced PA who provides neurological care for veterans in both an inpatient and outpatient setting within the Neurology Specialty Medicine Department at Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare Systems.

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: 5 years of PA experience.

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: Physician Assistant-I (PA-I) Experience and Education.

None beyond the basic requirements. This is the entry level for PAs. 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: Ability to utilize the principles of PA practice in the care of assigned patients to provide appropriate care.

Ability to perform patient history and physical. Ability to formulate a plan and provide treatment to the patient.

Ability to provide patient care that is abreast of changing concepts and advancements in the profession. Physician Assistant-II (PA-II) 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: Two 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. OR A doctoral degree in a health-related field from an accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

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: Skills to analyze and solve complex medical problems.

Ability to function autonomously and make independent medical decisions. Skill to incorporate training and experience into the successful practice of patient care including telehealth medical care.

Ability to work effectively in an interdisciplinary environment for improvement of services for patient care. Ability to practice with colleagues and peers collaboratively.

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 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: 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.

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: Moderate lifting 15-44 pounds; Heavy carrying 15-44 pounds and over; Pushing (8 hrs); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Walking (8 hrs); Standing (8 hrs); Repeated bending (2 hrs); Both legs; Use of both hands; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; Far vision correctable in one eye 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; both eyes required; Depth perception; Ability to distinguish basic colors; ability to distinguish shades of colors, hearing (aid may be permitted); Mental stability; emotional stability; mask wearing' sitting up to 8 hours.

Environmental Factors: Outside and inside; excessive noise; Working closely with others; working alone; protracted or irregular hours of work; working in direct patient care; use of a computer.

Major Duties:

The Neurology Physician Assistant provides assistance to the Neurology Department with regard to duties to assist the service that may be requested.

These may include, but not be limited to, assisting in data assimilation for VA reports, quality assurance programs, or others as determined by the Chief of Specialty Medicine or Chief of Staff.

VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. Duties may include but are not limited to: Uses advanced practice knowledge to manage patient care needs for patients in the Neurology Clinic.

Provides neurological care for Veterans' medical needs by performing history and physical exam, ordering appropriate lab tests, radiology studies, screening studies.

This includes evaluating those tests, developing a treatment and follow-up plan to include medication, medical equipment, and home-based interventions within the guidelines laid down by the supervising physician.

This care will also include the outpatient follow up visits, post discharge follow-up and managing care with specialty and sub-specialty medical providers.

The patient care will be provided through face to face visits and/or other modalities (group clinics, telephone clinics, secure messaging, etc.).

Responsible for completing patient encounters, notes, and correctly coding visits in accordance with coding guidelines.

Assists in the preparation of the patient and/or his/her family to include, but not be limited to, teaching, accumulating data and medical problems, and presenting patient centered discussion of medical problems for appraisal and scheduling patients with the appropriate Neurological department services.

Acts as the focal point of the designated outpatient clinic by being the contact person for Neurological services regarding patient care and providing consults for Primary Care department.

Must demonstrate the knowledge of the changes associated with aging and possess the ability to provide care based upon physical, psycho/social, cultural, safety and other age related factors as noted in the competencies described in departmental and/or unit specific policies and procedures.

Work Schedule: Full-time, Monday-Friday 8:00am to 4:30pm, subject to change based on the needs of the service. Telework: Not available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

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