Physician Assistant (Hospitalist)

Summary

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.

Duties

VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. The core elements for a PA Scope of Practice may include, but are not limited to: Obtaining medical histories and performing physical examinations on inpatients and outpatients. Admitting and discharging patients. Carrying out health promotion, disease prevention, and patient education activities. Completing discharge summaries. Document operative notes if the PA was present for the procedure. The operative surgeon must review and co-sign the note. Participation and documentation of Life Sustaining Treatment Goals of Therapy discussions, including DNR/DNAR orders. Making daily rounds to observe and record each patient's medical progress, updating and summarizing medical records, and changing orders when appropriate. Obtain and document informed consent for procedures for which the PA is an integral member of the treatment team performing the procedure such as assisting the primary surgeon ( note: The PA needs not participate in the particular procedure the patient is scheduled to undergo but the PA must be authorized to perform or participate in the procedure by the Scope of Practice and must have sufficient knowledge and training in the treatment procedure, its indications, risks and benefits, complications, and alternative treatment, to counsel the patient). Obtain and document informed consent for treatments and procedures for which the PA is responsible. Ordering ancillary services, such as, pharmacy, social services, physical medicine and rehabilitation therapies, prosthetic services, etc. Ordering diagnostic studies and other special tests, such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Computerized Tomography (CT) scans, etc. Ordering patient care supplies. Ordering VA specialty service consults and initiating requests for non-VA medical care and consults in accordance with VHA and local facility policy and procedures. Perform Compensation and Pension Evaluations. Performing periodic physical examinations on nursing home and domiciliary residents. Provide education and counseling of the patients and families in preventive care, medical conditions, and the use of prescribed treatments and drugs. Providing and coordinating medical care for assigned patients in any care setting, including establishing diagnoses, formulating, and implementing care plans, and providing follow-up care. Writing orders for or prescribing medications within defined Scope of Practice (see attached). Current BLS, ACLS, PALS certification (as applicable). Signs death certificates as permitted by state and local law. Work Schedule: Full-Time, Variable. Shifts are typically 7:00 am to 5:30 pm. Night (6:00 pm - 6:00 am) weekend and holiday shifts are required as well. Telework: Not authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position. EDRP Authorized: Contact Karen Chapman [email protected], the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized. Bargaining Unit: This position is a AFGE Bargaining Unit position.

Qualifications

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 Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. 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). 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: This work is mostly sedentary and requires some standing, bending and carrying light items. The incumbent must have the ability to stand and walk for prolonged periods of time to interact with the patients and other services. Preferred Experience: Two to three years of inpatient or critical care medicine experience is preferred. Grade Determinations: 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. 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: 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 KSA