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. Learn more

Duties

The Erie VA Medical Center (VAMC) is recruiting a Certified Physician Assistant who functions as a member of the Pain Management Clinic as well as the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation department to provide patient care with a focus on management of chronic pain. The PA is responsible and accountable for all elements when providing and/or supervising direct patient care Major Duties include but are not limited to: Adheres to established policies, standards of care, and standards of practice. Demonstrates leadership, experience, and creative approaches to management of complex patient care. Assesses, plans, implements and evaluates care based on age-specific components. Assumes responsibility for the coordination of care focused on patient transition through the continuum of care, medication management, patient and family education, patient self-management after discharge, and supporting factors that impact customer satisfaction. Demonstrates a systematic body of knowledge to the diagnosis and treatment of actual or potential health problems, including syntheses of data, and the use of complex skills. Exercises a high degree of independent judgment with prescriptive authority as noted in their written practice of agreement as agreed upon with his/her collaborating physician. Considers all characteristics of the individual, including age and life stages, state of health, race and culture, values, and previous experiences. Orders medications and procedures per establishing policies and guidelines. Serves as an advocate for patients and is clinically supportive of staff. Actively participates in unit/program level quality improvement processes and initiatives as well as customer service programs. Responsible for evaluating, diagnosing and developing a treatment plan, and evaluating response. Provides supportive interventions through active listening, understanding, affirmation, guidance, and reassurance. Provides education in a systematic manner and addressing needs for pain patients. Assists the chronic pain patient in accomplishing the goals of achieving and maintaining a level of well-being within the mental, physical, and spiritual dimensions of the individual. Serves as both a mentor and collaborator with others in project development. Actively leads nursing facility wide initiatives, trainings, and/or committees. Supports and actively participates in initiatives which include, but are not limited to, Stepped Care Model of Pain Management (SCM-PM), Opioid Safety Initiative (OSI), Stratification Tool for Opioids Risk Mitigation (STORM), Opioid Use Disorder (OUD), Stepped Care for Opioid Use Disorder Train the Trainer (SCOUTT), Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) and Overdose Education and Naloxone Distribution (OEDN), High Reliability Organization (HRO), Patient Centered Care, Just Culture, and I CARE. Work Schedule: Typical tour of duty is expected to be Monday - Friday 7:30am-4:00pm; however, weekends, nights, and the possibility of a Compressed Tour of Duty may be required if Veteran needs should arise. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be Authorized for Highly Qualified Candidates 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. 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. 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. - Exceptions for Graduate PAs. (a) PA's who otherwise meet the basic requirements, but do not possess the required licensure, may be appointed, pending licensure, as a graduate PA on a temporary full-time appointment not-to-exceed two years under the authority of 38 U.S.C. ? 7405(c)(2)(B). (b) Graduate PA's may only be appointed at the entry grade level and may not be promoted/converted until certification is obtained. (c) Temporary graduate PA appointments may not be extended beyond two years or converted to a new temporary appointment. NOTE: Individuals who have or have had multiple licenses and had any such license revoked for professional misconduct, professional incompetence or substandard care, or who surrendered such license after receiving written notice of potential termination of such license by the State for professional misconduct, professional incompetence, or substandard care, are not eligible for appointment to the position unless such revoked or surrendered license is fully restored (38 U.S.C. ? 7402(f)). This requirement does not apply to licensed PAs currently employed by VA as of November 30, 1999, provided they maintain continuous appointment and are not disqualified for employment by any subsequent revocations or voluntary surrenders of State license, registration or certification 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. Grade and Step determinations of the selected applicant will be determined by the appropriate Physician Assistant Professional Standards Board and will be based on the selected individuals education and experience. Physician Assistant-I (PA-I) Experience and Education: None beyond the basic requirements. This is the entry level for PA's Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 1. Ability to utilize the principles of PA practice in the care of assigned patients to provide appropriate care 2. Ability to perform patient history and physical 3. Ability to formulate a plan and provide treatment to the patient 4. Ability to provide patient care that is abreast of changing concepts and advancements in the profession Physician Assistant-II (PA-II) Experience and Education: 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, US Armed Forces, or another accrediting agency OR a doctoral degree in a health-related field from an accredited college or university recognized by the US Department of Education. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 1. Skills to analyze and solve complex medical problems 2. Ability to function autonomously and make independent medical decisions 3. Skill to incorporate training and experience into the successful practice of patient care including telehealth medical care 4. Ability to work effectively in an interdisciplinary environment for improvement of services for patient care 5. Ability to practice with colleagues and peers collaboratively Physician Assistant-III (PA-III) Experience and Education: 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, US Armed Forces, or another accrediting agency AND one year of professional practice as a PA Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 1. Ability to clinically evaluate facility patient care delivery systems and validate or identify barriers to safe and effective patient care2. 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)3. Ability to present clinical findings and recommendations to appropriate management officials4. Ability to clinically facilitate the delivery of patient care in collaboration with health professionals, health managers, and other health care personnel5. 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 outcomes6. 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-III. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of PA-I to PA-III Physical Requirements: Physical demands include repetitive body movements including the following: frequent reaching, standing, walking, and lifting of equipment and/or patients to provide patient care. This position requires extension of the hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction including above or below shoulder level, during the provision of patient care, including retrieval of needed equipment, supplies and to make contact with the patient. This position requires the maintenance of an upright position to perform duties associated with patient care. This position is typically non-sedentary, and frequently involves being in the standing position. This position requires moving about accomplish tasks, such as assisting with patient ambulation and moving one patient area to the next. This position requires the raising of objects from a lower position to a higher position or the movement of objects horizontally position to position. Lifting may be done to move a patient from one location to the next, i.e.- from the exam table to the chair, and in the movement of equipment or supplies. NOTE: Must have Basic Life Support (BLS) certification prior to assuming clinical duties. The BLS requirement is satisfied by successfully completing an American Heart Association (AHA) BLS Healthcare Provider Course or Military Training Network (MTN). BLS courses are normally offered within 1-5 days of entry on duty. No online certifications will be accepted

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 Erie VA Medical Center 135 East 38th Street Erie, PA 16504 US
• Name: Krystal Jancze
• Phone: (412) 822-2222
• Email: [email protected]