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.

Duties

This is a (100%) (Full time) clinical position involving the provision of Gastroenterology and Hepatology services to an both new consults and an assigned panel of patients in the inpatient and outpatient setting to include use of Clinical Video Telehealth (CVT). The scope of Gastroenterology and Hepatology is defined in applicable VA policies. These services will be rendered in a thoughtful and resource effective manner consistent both with VA policies and with the highest standards of medical care. Such activities include, but are not limited to, diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic illness, specialty referrals, care coordination between service lines, and communication with patients and/or their appropriate surrogates regarding findings and management plans. In addition, the incumbent will also provide service to patients on other providers' panels as needed to provide continuity of care when the other providers are absent. The GI Physician Assistant works in close collaboration with Attending Gastroenterologist, Hepatologists, and support staff. FUNCTION OR SCOPE OF ASSIGNED DUTIES Functions as a member of the specialty care team in close collaboration with the staff physicians and nurses Obtains and documents a relevant health and medical history in CPRS Receive, triage, prioritize and schedule consults for Gastroenterology and Hepatology Clinic Triages elective, urgent and emergent Gastroenterology and hepatology patients and provides follow up of pertinent labs, tests and procedures Collaborates as needed with other members of the Gastroenterology and hepatology team for appropriate patient care Evaluate patients for endoscopic procedures, educate on potential risks versus benefits of procedures, complications of procedures, and obtain consent for procedures. Assists with the coordination of transplant care, in collaboration with Medicine Service Transplant Coordinators and the Community Care Transplant Coordinator RN, for patients who are either: undergoing transplant work-up, currently listed for transplant, or are status posttransplant. Participates as a member of the multidisciplinary team to facilitate transplant services for Veterans. Utilize the Transplant Referral and Cost Evaluation/Reimbursement (TRACER) system for initial review of transplant candidates. Monitor and capture transplant related care and events for Veterans completion of clinical requirements for TRACER submissions and Community Care referrals. Collaborates and coordinates with other health care resources to ensure continuity of care. Performs a physical examination based on age and history Conducts preventative screening procedures based on age and history. Updates evaluation of health status to determine need for further health care. Formulates appropriate medical diagnoses based on data obtained. Orders appropriate diagnostic procedures and laboratory tests Identifies and prescribes appropriate pharmacological and non-pharmacological agents Identifies medical and health risks and needs of the individual and family because of the evaluation of collected data Formulates appropriate differential diagnosis based on the history, physical examination, and clinical findings Provides relevant patient and family education Makes appropriate referrals to other health professionals and community agencies Consults with collaborating health care professionals when doubt exists as to the diagnosis, when expected improvement is not soon apparent and when specialized therapeutic or diagnostic techniques are indicated. Determines the effectiveness of the plan of care through documentation of client care outcomes Reassesses and modifies the plan as necessary to achieve medical and health goals Core elements of performance include knowledge and active participation in unit/program level quality improvement processes and initiatives as well as the customer service program. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. Work Schedule: 7:45am - 4:30pm Compressed/Flexible: Not Authorized Telework: Ad-hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Contact [email protected], the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

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. 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. OR at least 2 years' experience and at least 1 year demonstrated work experience as a PA in Gastroenterology 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 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: 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. OR at least 2 years demonstrated work experience as a PA in Gastroenterology 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. References: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-8 Physician Assistant Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. Physical Requirements: Must be able to pass a physical. 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.

Education

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Contacts

• Address Salem VA Medical Center 1970 Roanoke Boulevard Salem, VA 24153 US
• Name: David Masterson
• Phone: 540-982-2463 X2503
• Email: [email protected]