Physician Assistant - Urology

Summary

Position is open until filled, applications will be referred as they are received. Position may be filled before the closing date. The Urology Physician Assistant provides clinical and surgical care for patients on the Urology service. The Urology Physician Assistant will provide patient care consistent with the scope of practice and with clinical oversight, consultation, and input by the designated collaborating physician while working in the clinic, cystoscopy suite, and operating room.

Duties

Some core duties include: Obtaining medical histories and performing physical examinations. 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. Evaluating outpatients to determine the need for further health care. Ordering diagnostic studies and other special tests, such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging {MRI}, Computerized Tomography (CT) scans, etc. Carrying out health promotion, disease prevention, and patient education activities. Ordering or obtaining laboratory specimens. Ordering ancillary services, such as, pharmacy, social services, physical medicine and rehabilitation therapies, prosthetic services, etc. 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. Ordering patient care supplies. Writing orders for or prescribing medications for care of veterans on the Urology service. Other patient record entries by PAs, including medical histories, physical examinations, progress notes, service consults, compensation and Pension evaluations, and patient orders do not require physician co-signature unless specifically required by Federal law, VA policy, or the standards of applicable external accrediting bodies. Obtaining and documenting informed consent for treatments and procedures for which the PA is responsible either as the provider providing treatment under Full Autonomy or Limited Autonomy, or participating as an integral member of the treatment team performing the procedure such as assisting the primary surgeon. The PA need not participate in the particular procedure the patient is scheduled to undergo as long as he is authorized to perform, participate in, or assist during the procedure and have sufficient knowledge and training in the treatment or procedure, its indications, risk and benefits, complications, and alternative treatments, to effectively counsel the patient. Providing education and counseling of patients and families in preventive care, medical conditions, and the use of prescribed treatments and drugs. Preliminary EKG interpretation. Preliminary imaging interpretation. Ordering appropriate pre-procedure & pre-operative antibiotics (IM, IV, or PO) and/or other medications. Change dressings on surgical wounds. Obtain specimens in surgery or clinic for patient care diagnostic or treatment purposes. Perform other diagnostic or treatment procedures as qualified. Ordering administration of blood products. GU SURGERY EXPANDED RESPONSIBILITIES Responsibilities performed with full autonomy in the clinic and cystoscopy suite include: Obtains informed consents for common GU surgeries and procedures about which the PA is familiar with including the indications and associated risks and benefits. Triages symptoms and manages outpatients on the Urology service. Assists other health care professionals assigned to the Urology section with the coordination of medical care. Acts as a care coordinator for patients in the Urology section. Monitors appointment management software to ensure accuracy in scheduling practices. Reviews all outpatient Urology clinic profiles for accuracy. Provides peri- and post-operative teaching. Performs pre-operative history/physical examinations. Triages, assigns, and evaluates new patients referred to the Urology service. Insertion of urethral catheters. Urethral catheter placement over a wire. Removal or exchange of suprapubic tubes/catheters. lntracavernosal injections and teaching. Percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation. Cryoablation of genital lesions with liquid nitrogen. Removal of drains, ureteral stents, and nephrostomy tubes. Administer oral medications. Injection IV medications, start intravenous infusions of any variety, as long as hospital protocols regarding preparation of skin sites, checking of blood products, and attention to sterile techniques are followed. Performing procedures: Cystoscopy Cystoscopy with ureteral stent removal Cystoscopy with basketing of stones/ foreign body Transrectal ultrasound Urodynamic studies Responsibilities performed with limited autonomy include: Write discharge orders for outpatients (day surgeries). Removes intravenous and central lines. Insert intravenous lines. Performing procedures. Cystoscopy with biopsy and fulguration. Responsibilities performed with supervised autonomy include: Prostate needle biopsy under transrectal ultrasound guidance. Placement of prostate fiducial markers under transrectal ultrasound guidance for planned radiation therapy. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

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 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: 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-1 to PA-III. 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