Physician Assistant

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. 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. 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. Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified candidates in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a). Education. Graduate of a training program which is accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education of PA (ARC-PA) or one of its predecessor organizations. Additionally, candidates must meet one of the following: (1) Master's degree in any discipline; OR, (2) Bachelor's degree in any discipline with one year of experience as a PA. Certification. Must have successfully passed the PA National Certifying Exam (PANCE). NOTE: Current and continuous certification by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) is no longer required for employment in VHA. (Per paragraph 3a, of the VA Handbook 5005/134 PART II APPENDIX G8, September 27, 2020 standard, the certification requirement for employees grandfathered into the occupation. 3(a). If a PA is certified by the NCCPA, but not licensed on the effective date of the qualification standard, they are not required to obtain or maintain a license to remain employed in VHA. However, if they lose or fail to maintain their NCCPA certification after this qualification standard is effective and do not possess a full, valid, and unrestricted license, they are no longer qualified for employment as a PA in VHA.). Licensure. PAs must possess an active, current, full, and unrestricted license to practice in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia. PAs must maintain current registration in the State of licensure if this is a requirement for continuing active and current licensure in that State. Physical Requirements. Must pass a pre-employment physical. English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). GRANDFATHERING PROVISION. All persons employed in VHA in this occupational series that are also performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held including positive education and licensure/certification. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it. Additional provision apply. Preferred Experience: Orthopedic Specialty Areas 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(KSAs). 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) 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. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). 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) 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. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities(KSAs). 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. References: VA Handbook 5005/134 PART II APPENDIX G8, September 27, 2020 Physical Requirements: Light lifting of up to 50 pounds, light carrying up to 50 pounds, intermittent kneeling, pushing and walking, use of fingers, both hands required, gross and fine manipulation, reaching above the shoulder, both legs required. Will working closely with others, protracted or irregular hours of work. Will operate office equipment. The full performance level of this vacancy is VN-3. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of VN-1 to VN-3. ["This position supports the outpatient Orthopedics Service team at the Sacramento VA Medical Center. The PA will support the outpatient team with care coordination and pre- and post-operative care. The PA must also be able to perform independent direct patient care, including but not limited to history-taking and physical exams and progress notes for post-operative visits. The Mid-Level Physician Assistant will provide a full range of diagnostic and therapeutic care and procedures for patients. All patient orders must be reviewed and cosigned by a physician within hospital guidelines. The PA will work under supervision and guidance of the supervising physician or his/her alternates. The supervisor physician or alternate will review all charts for a predetermined period in accordance with hospital policy and thereafter, randomly chosen charts will be routinely reviewed. The PA will work 40 hours a week. Occasional tour changes are not anticipated but could be requested to provide vacation and/or sick leave coverage. The PA should be comfortable working with adult medical and surgical patients. The PA will be responsible for a portion of the service's after-hour and weekend call duties. Backup will be available by a physician on-site on most occasions during work hours and by phone after hours. The PA will be required to periodically meet with his/her supervisor at Sacramento VAMC. Functions: Main duties will be full spectrum of care for Orthopedics Service patients at the Sacramento VA Medical Center. Additional duties include coordinating arrangements for further care if appropriate, ordering and interpreting lab and diagnostic tests, prescribing medication, requesting consultation. Provides medical care with the cognizance or supervision of a physician. Obtains and evaluates medical histories, performs physical examinations, performs therapeutic and diagnostic procedures, and orders laboratory studies, radiographs, electrocardiograms, and other special examinations. Analyzes and interprets data, formulates problems lists, and establishes plans for solution of clinical problems. Counsels patients on medical problems, use of drugs, expected effects of treatment, diet, and other therapeutic health maintenance matters. Provides lifesaving procedures and medications within the scope of practice. Performs aspirations and injections, wound care, and other minor procedures in clinic under direct supervision by a physician. Provides surgical assistance to an orthopedic surgeon in the operating room if needed. Coordinates patient care. Coordinates patient care with other members of health care team. Initiates consultation of requests to other health care professionals to provide more comprehensive patient management. Accomplishes narrative summaries and other documentation. Instructs other members of the health care team. Instructs other personnel assigned to health care team on preventative medicine programs and other appropriate medical activities and functions, or as directed by a physician. Educates residents, medical students, nursing and PA students, and other personnel enrolled in clinical rotations with the service. The PA will be responsible for a portion of the service's after-hour and weekend call duties. Backup will be available by a physician on-site on most occasions during work hours and by phone after hours. Prescriptive privileges will follow VA and medical center guidelines. He/she will be authorized to prescribe all routine medications as listed in the VA Pharmacy Formulary except for chemotherapeutic agents, and special medications restricted to approval by another section or department. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. Work Schedule: Monday-Thursday, 7:00AM-5:30PM Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

Providing Health Care for Veterans: The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,255 health care facilities, including 170 medical centers and 1,074 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.