The Miami VA Healthcare System is seeking an experienced and dynamic mid-level Physician Assistant (PA). Our ideal applicants are those who want to contribute to the achievement of quality care standards, as well as the growth and development of a VA academic hospital program. You must be an excellent communicator and team player who is adaptable to the needs of a growing medical center. You will practice with clinical oversight, consultation and input by a designated collaborating physician.

Duties

The Physician Assistant (PA) is a qualified provider of outpatient specialty care of patients in the outpatient pulmonary clinic, including telemedicine in the Miami VA Healthcare System. The PA is responsible for the continuing management of assigned patients at the Broward County VA Outpatient Clinic. This includes but is not limited to physical examination and treatment, coordination of medical care with other subspecialists, social worker, data manager, pharmacist, dietitian, nursing, and other personnel as member of a multidisciplinary team. The PA provides comprehensive treatments. Maintains an active knowledge of the patient care processes of the Department of Veterans Affairs, the medical center and its clinics. Primary duties and responsibilities for all PAs include, but are not limited to: Ensures that high quality patient care is delivered in a resource efficient manner. Evaluate, diagnose and manage patients with pulmonary symptoms and diseases. Review and screen consult requests for scheduling and to facilitate patient care. Order appropriate testing as indicated to expedite comprehensive evaluation of patients at time of consultation. Maintains database tracking system for patients with suspicious lung nodules. Complies with VHA regulations and professional standards and ethical conduct. Complies with agency regulations, medical staff bylaws, Miami VA Healthcare System policies, pertinent Joint Commission standards, and other appropriate regulations as they apply. This includes but is not limited to compliance with: Mandatory trainings. BLS requirements. Maintenance of licensures, certifications and/or registrations. Medical record regulations, including timely completion of unsigned and un-cosigned notes. Credential and privileging regulations. Timely completion of action items. Promotes an environment of system-oriented continuous quality improvement. Actively participates in long- and short-term goals in support of VISN/VHA mission. Establishes and maintains effective harmonious relationships with other peers within Medicine and other Services within our station. Other duties and responsibilities for specific specialty areas include, but are not limited to: Actively participate and be comfortable presenting at multi-disciplinary pulmonary lung conferences/tumor boards. Coordinate care across multiple disciplines of patients diagnosed with cancer with Hematology/Oncology, Radiation Oncology, and Thoracic Surgery. Making appropriate narrative case summaries for transfer or discharge. Maintaining credentialing in procedures including, but not limited to, central venous catheters, arterial lines, pulmonary artery catheterization monitoring, hemodynamic measurement, non-invasive ventilator management, intubations, ventilator management, thoracentesis, paracentesis, Foley catheter placement, wound care, NG and OG tube placement, conscious sedation, BLS and ACLS techniques. Administering special medications via oral, intramuscular, subcutaneous, intradermal, etc. (including intravenous push) routes. Assisting physician with complex or potentially life-threatening procedures such as insertion of invasive lines, e.g., arterial, venous, and pulmonary artery catheters. Preferred Experience: Experience in the evaluation and management of pulmonary nodules/lung masses. Experience and knowledge in the care of pulmonary disease including COPD, asthma, interstitial lung disease, and pulmonary hypertension. This would include understanding of Pulmonary Function Test (PFT) interpretation as well as CT and PET scan interpretation. Experience/understanding of interventional pulmonary and interventional radiological procedures (such as Endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS), Navigational Bronchoscopy, Lung biopsy, and CT biopsy) used in the diagnosis/evaluation of pulmonary nodules/masses. Work Schedule: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm (Note: Work schedules are determined and approved by the supervisor.) Telework: Not available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: 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: All applicants must meet the following basic qualifications. Citizenship. Must be a citizen of the United States. 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. 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. English Language Proficiency. Must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) and 7407(d). Physical Standards. Must pass a pre-employment examination. See below for additional information. GRADE REQUIREMENTS: In addition to the basic requirements above, all applicants must also meet one of the following grade requirements for a specific grade level. Physician Assistant-I (PA-I): None beyond the basic requirements. This is the entry level. 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: i. Ability to utilize the principles of PA practice in the care of assigned patients to provide appropriate care. ii. Ability to perform patient history and physical. iii. Ability to formulate a plan and provide treatment to the patient. iv. Ability to provide patient care that is abreast of changing concepts and advancements in the profession. Physician Assistant-II (PA-II): 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: (1) Two years of successful practice as a PA. -or- (2) 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- (3) A doctoral degree in a health-related field from an accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. 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: i. Skills to analyze and solve complex medical problems. ii. 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): PAs at this 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 PAs, and may provide training for health care students. Individuals can demonstrate the KSAs for the full performance level by: (1) Three years of successful practice as a PA. -or- (2) 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- (3) 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. 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: i. Ability to clinically evaluate facility patient care delivery systems and validate or identify barriers to safe and effective patient care. ii. 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). iii. Ability to present clinical findings and recommendations to appropriate management officials. iv. Ability to clinically facilitate the delivery of patient care in collaboration with health professionals, health managers, and other health care personnel. v. 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. vi. Ability to participate clinically in the development of the PA patient care audit processes involving in-depth review and analysis of medical records. APPLICANTS NOTE: Your resume must show that you possess the required specific/specialized experience, or you will be made ineligible from further consideration (due to not being qualified). We will not re-rate your application due to errors on your part. You must meet the qualifications & submit all documentation by the closing date of this announcement. 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. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training, and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. The full performance level of this vacancy is 3. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 1 to 3. Physical Requirements: Must pass a pre-employment physical examination as required by VA Handbook 5019. This examination is administered by VA Occupational Health. This position requires moderate lifting up to 44 lbs., carrying objects up to 15 lbs., frequent reaching, use of hands and fingers, use of cranes and motor vehicles, walking, standing, bending and climbing. The incumbent must be physically and mentally able to efficiently perform the essential functions of this position without hazard to themselves or others.

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 Bruce W Carter Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center 1201 Northwest 16th Street Miami, FL 33125 US
• Name: Allison Mitchell
• Phone: (786) 440-0114
• Email: [email protected]