The Atlanta VA Health Care System is recruiting for a Physician Assistant (Thoracic Surgery) in Surgical Service. The Cardio-Thoracic (CT) physician assistant (PA) is responsible for the care and administrative needs of the cardio-thoracic surgery patient in both the inpatient and outpatient setting. The PA also functions as a coordinator between the attending physician and the other team members to include Nursing, Social Work, Rehabilitative Services and Dietician.

Duties

Duties include, but are not limited to: FUNCTIONS: The Cardio-Thoracic (CT) PA will be responsible for the primary medical and surgical needs of inpatients and outpatients on the cardio-thoracic surgery service. This position will focus on outpatient clinic, cardiac surgery operating room assistance and bedside assistance in the thoracic operating room. Duties will include, but are not limited to, the evaluation of current medical and surgical problems, administrative assistance, quality improvement, and educational support as detailed below: Performing a complete surgical evaluation and handle new consults in the outpatient, inpatient, and emergency room settings. This includes performing detailed surgical history and physical examination, ordering relevant diagnostic studies, and managing surgical conditions/diseases. Following patients referred or admitted with surgical conditions and/or undergoing a surgical procedure in either the ambulatory or inpatient care setting. Determining Veterans eligibility for surgical procedures and obtaining informed consent - Preparing and scheduling patients for surgery using appropriate diagnostic testing and consultations from other services as appropriate. Coordinating outpatient and inpatient care plans across the interdisciplinary team. Performing common outpatient diagnostic procedures (e.g., cultures, superficial biopsy, etc.). Performing common outpatient and inpatient therapeutic procedures (e.g., incision and drainage of superficial abscesses, removal of surgical drains, removal of sutures or skin staples, wound dressings changes, etc.). Performing postoperative evaluations and ordering appropriate diagnostic studies on patients following complex surgical procedures. Counseling, education, and obtaining informed consent from patients and their family members regarding surgical management, procedures, and expected follow-up. Acting as first or second assist to the surgical team for cases performed in the operating room. Working with the service line, administration, and regulatory bodies to ensure the quality of the surgical program. Appropriately sign out and hand off patient care. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm,(subject to change based on agency need). Hours are flexible. No weekend call. Telework: Not 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 Citizenship. Citizen of the United States [in accordance with section 7402(c) to title 38, United States Code (U.S.C.). Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified candidates in accordance with 38 U.S.C. ? 7407(a). Education. Graduate of a training program which is accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education of Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) or one of its predecessor organizations. Additionally, candidates must meet one of the following: Master's degree in any discipline; OR Bachelor's degree in any discipline with one year of experience as a Physician Assistant. Certification. Must have successfully passed the PA National Certifying Exam (PANCE). Licensure. Physician Assistants 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. Physician Assistants must maintain current registration in the State of licensure if this is a requirement for continuing active and current licensure in that State. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service. English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. ? 7403(f). Grade Determinations: Physician Assistant-I (PA-I) Experience and Education. None beyond the basic requirements. This is the entry level for Physician Assistants. AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. The following list of knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA) present the minimum skill set expected of an Entry Level Physician Assistant. This practice may include, but is not limited to: Ability to utilize the principles of Physician Assistant 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 Physician Assistant 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 Physician Assistant 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. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). Physician Assistants 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. Physician Assistants at the PA-III grade are at the full performance level and lead and organize patient care independently, practice within multi-disciplinary 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 Physician Assistants, 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 Physician Assistant 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. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. Physician Assistants 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 Physician Assistant patient care audit processes involving in-depth review and analysis of medical records. Preferred Experience: Bedside robotic surgical assistance, endoscopic vein harvesting and surgical service experience is preferred, but not necessary. 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 Grade 3. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of Grade 1 to Grade 3. Physical Requirements: Standing, walking, lifting light loads, assisting patients with positioning and transfers. Must be able to use a computer to input orders, review reports etc. Must be able to communicate directions and patient orders. Light lifting (under 15lbs), light carrying (under 15lbs), use of fingers, far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and 20/40 in the other, hearing (aid permitted), emotional stability, mental stability, working closely with others, working alone, and working with biohazardous materials.

Education

Please submit your transcripts with your application.

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 Atlanta VA Medical Center 1670 Clairmont Road Decatur, GA 30033 US
• Name: Diedra Sutton
• Phone: 803-856-0312
• Email: [email protected]