The Psychiatric Physician Assistant is committed to providing safe, basic care to Veterans receiving care from the G.V. (Sonny) Montgomery VA Medical Center and associated Community Based Outreach Clinics (CBOCs). The Psychiatric Physician Assistant will assess, evaluate, and provide treatment for Veterans in the Mental Health Service. Services will be provided both in-person at the Meridian CBOC and via telehealth.

Duties

Board certification as a Physician Assistant from a VA-approved certifying body required. A Physician Assistant (PA) has prescriptive authority and provides care for an identified patient panel in collaboration with a physician. Core functions include diagnosing and treating acute and chronic health care problems, performing adult care check-ups, and prescribing medication and treatments. Diagnoses and manages minor trauma including suturing. Teaches health promotion and disease prevention to patients. Duties include but not limited to: Perform a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation as needed, with an emphasis on mental health history - including age specific assessments. The assessment includes evaluation of mental status, current and history of violence, suicidal or self-harm behavior, substance use, level of functioning, health behaviors, trauma, sexual behaviors, and social and developmental history Performs and accurately documents appropriate systems and symptoms-focused physical examinations, completes H&P, with emphasis on the mental status exam and neurological exam. Develop a treatment plan for mental health problems and psychiatric disorders based on biopsychosocial theories, evidence-based standards of care and practice guidelines. Provide direct mental health care to the patients referred from primary or specialty clinics including the treatment and management of acute and chronic psychiatric disorders and mental health problems. Differentiates psychiatric presentation of medical conditions from psychiatric disorders and arrange appropriate evaluation and follow-up Prescribes buprenorphine and other medication assisted therapies for addictive disorders. Order, review and interpret findings of relevant diagnostic and laboratory test for management of the mental health patient. Collaborates as a member of the interdisciplinary mental health team, working interdependently with other health care providers in response to the health care needs of such a vulnerable population. Develops a differential diagnosis derived from the collection and synthesis of the assessment; and diagnose commonly occurring complications of mental health problems and psychiatric disorders, including physical health problems. Coordinate the transition of veterans and families under mental health care from mental health care settings, general health care settings, and community agencies to provide continuity of care and support for the veteran, family, and other health care providers. Educate the patient and their family on the psychiatric illness and medication management as appropriate. Provide follow-up care for the veterans Conduct individual and group therapy as trained. Manage psychiatric emergencies - including evaluating the walk-ins coming into the clinic. Coordinate referral and ongoing access to primary and other health care services for the veterans. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm Telework: Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized 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. Preferred Experience: Experience working in outpatient mental health settings Experience working with individuals diagnosed with trauma, addictive disorders and serious mental illnesses Experience completing suicide risk assessments and safety plans Able to prescribe medications for alcohol, opioid and other substance use disorders (including buprenorphine) 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: 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)(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 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.(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-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)(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: Three years of successful practice as a PA. "OR" Three years of successful practice as a PA. 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.(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: 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. The full performance level of this vacancy is PA I. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of to PA 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. Mechanical inpatient lifts are provided. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations, operative/invasive procedures, or home settings. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. Must complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as annual TB screening or testing, as a condition of employment.

Education

Required: Graduate of a Physician Assistant training program approved by the Council of Medical Education of the American Medical Association.- Preferred: Some graduate work in the field of assignment or related areas

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 GV Sonny Montgomery VAMC 1500 East Woodrow Wilson Drive Jackson, MS 39216 US
• Name: Regina Van Buren
• Phone: 713-360-9890
• Email: [email protected]