The scope of practice is specific to the duties and responsibilities of Emergency Medicine Physician Assistants at the Southern Arizona Veterans Affairs Health Care System (SAVAHCS). They are an agent in the rendering of patient care to assigned Emergency Department patients. Their collaborating physician is Joshua Appel, MD, as appointed by the Chief, Emergency Medicine, SAVAHCS.

Duties

This Scope of Practice is written for Emergency Medicine Physician Assistants at the Southern Arizona Veterans Affairs Health Care System (SAVAHCS). Duties include, but are not limited to: Performs comprehensive history and physical examinations and initiates treatment when indicated for acute and chronic medical conditions. Orders diagnostic laboratory and imaging tests, as needed. Interprets and applies findings to make a medical diagnosis. Uses prescriptive authority granted by licensure to prescribe and administer routine therapeutics including medications, devices, and procedures. Uses electronic record for documentation. Initiates consultation requests and records required notes on all procedures or patient visits in the in the electronic medical record. Participates in peer review and process improvement. Performs procedures that are delineated by scope of practice. Emergency procedures may be required in situations where the physician is not immediately available and may include initiation and assisting in management of cardiac arrest, acute respiratory failure, and first aid for life threatening injuries. Ensures that the practice is consistent with Joint Commission, CARF, VA policies and procedures, clinical practice emergency medicine guidelines, VISN standards, national statutes and regulations, medical record documentation, mandatory continuing education, and HIPPA policies. Engaged in systematic evaluation and improvement of the quality and effectiveness of patient care. PAs practice with a full level of autonomy on a day-to-day basis and requires infrequent consultation with the collaborating physician. The collaborating physician and PA will be in contact, at least daily, to discuss any difficult or unusual clinical management issues. Emergency Medicine Physician Assistants are authorized to write prescriptions for medications according to VHA Directive 2003-0004 (Medication Prescribing Authority for Clinical Nurse Specialists, Nurse Practitioners, Clinical Pharmacy Specialists, and Physician Assistants). Emergency Medicine Physician Assistants may prescribe medications as indicated for treatment. Work Schedule: Varies Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. EDRP: Authorized Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package.

Requirements

Qualifications

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 or Training. The candidate must meet the following: (1) Graduate of a PA 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: Master's degree in any discipline; Bachelor's degree in any discipline with on year of experience as a PA. Certification. Must have successfully passed the PA National Certifying Exam (PANCE). Licensure. 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 OR be a graduate physician assistant pending licensure. English Language Proficiency. PAs appointed to direct patient-care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d). Grandfathering Provision. All persons employed in VHA in this occupational series that are also performing the duties as described in the qualification standard effective 9/27/2020 are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held including positive education and licensure/certification. Grade Determinations: Physician Assistant-IV. PAs at the PA-IV grade level may serve as clinical leader or administrative leader. Clinical PA Leaders may be assigned to positions/studies where limited guidance exists as physician oversight is not required. Administrative PA Leaders are involved with strategic planning and administrative/managerial responsibilities for integrated programs that cross service and/or discipline lines and influence organizational mission and health care. A PA clinical leader/administrative leader may monitor or evaluate services or programs with interaction of senior administration. a. Experience. PA clinical leaders/administrative leaders require five years of experience which included leadership assignments that involved formulating program objectives and priorities, implementing plans and practices, and interpreting regulatory and organizational guidance to develop and implement policies and/or procedures. 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-IV: Ability to assess information and make recommendations that may significantly affect the content, interpretation, or development of programs concerning critical matters or key issues within the health care system. Ability to schedule and supervise staff, students, or ancillary personnel, to include conducting performance evaluations. Skill in planning, organizing, directing, and controlling an integrated program. Skill in design, management of budget, and cost benefit analysis to ensure optimal stewardship of resources. Ability to analyze complex medical care, organizational processes and/or systems, and develop and implement solutions that improve outcomes at the program or service level. Ability to develop and recommend new or revised policies or procedures to justify program goals and motivate assigned personnel. Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting (45 lbs and over); Heavy carrying (45 lbs and over): Straight pulling and pushing; reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; both hands required; walking and standing up to 8 hours; repeated bending; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; hearing aid permitted.

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 Tucson VA Medical Center 3601 South Sixth Avenue Tucson, AZ 85723 US
• Name: Danielle Del Prete
• Phone: 5205549881
• Email: [email protected]