Physician Asst (Pulmonary)

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 Determinations: Physician Assistant - I (PA-I)(a) Experience and Education. None beyond the basic requirements. This is the entry level for PAs.(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-I.I 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 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: 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/. The full performance level of this vacancy is III.

The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of I to III.

Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity.

This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. Major Duties:

The Pulmonary /Sleep Physician Assistant executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership, experience, and creative approaches to management of complex patients under the supervision of a physician.

He/she can work regular tours, as well as off tours.

The Pulmonary/Sleep Physician Assistant has advanced education, knowledge, clinical skills, and experience necessary to provide expert care to the outpatients or to acutely ill, hospitalized patients.

The incumbent works collaboratively with Pulmonary/Sleep Medicine attending physicians, consultants, trainees, nurses, therapists, pharmacists, case managers, and other medical specialists to ensure compliance with all existing Pulmonary/Sleep Medicine best practices and performance measures.

The incumbent will also help to develop and support clinical initiatives that improve overall patient care and patient flow through the various levels of care.

This position requires flexibility in schedule and assignments as deemed necessary.

The incumbent must be poised and articulate in communicating with people of varied educational levels and varied ethnic backgrounds and will to work cooperatively as a member of a team in all assignments.

He/she will make caring form the veteran hi/her priority while in the work setting and demonstrates customer service principles in all aspects of work.

The Physician Assistant will complete all mandatory and annual competency training for equipment, procedures. protocols. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package.

Medicine Service Nurses (NP/PA) - Duties include but are not limited to the following: 1. Performs and records history and physical examinations and records data from clinic visits. 2.

Evaluates, consults, develops diagnosis, and manages the Veteran. 3. Enters progress notes in computerized medical record and completes workload documentation in a timely manner. 4.

Provides medical care encompassing acute and chronic medical conditions and all appropriate preventive care for both male and female veterans. 5.

Orders diagnostic tests, medications, laboratory tests as medically relevant for each patient. 6.

Provides timely follow-up on results and patient inquiries, including and not limited to completion of view alerts, secure messages and other patient communications. 7.

Determines medical assessment and develops treatment plans according to accepted protocols. 8. Prescribes medications according to approved formulary, and in accordance with Federal and State Law. 9.

Educates patients concerning medical conditions and recommended treatments.

(Specific topics include but are not limited to nutritional counseling, need for smoking cessation, need for periodic immunizations and health screening tests, acute and chronic disease management and other preventive health measures).

10. Consults other specialties as appropriate, according to service agreements.

Duties: Work Schedule: 7:30 am - 3:30 pm or 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Monday - Friday Compressed/Flexible: Not Authorized Telework: Ad-hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.

Contact VISN7EDRPFacilityCoordinators2@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance.

Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized