The PA-C is accountable to the Service Chief for provision of the most effective delivery of peri-anesthetic care and peri-operative care throughout the CAPT James A. Lovell FHCC. The PA-C will work in collaboration with the Service Chief in all aspects of his/her administrative responsibilities. They will keep the Service Chief informed of all updates and occurrences within the service and in the organization which impact the direct or indirect oversight of the service.

Duties

Major Duties and Responsibilities The PA-C practices to achieve common goals for care, safety, and welfare of VA patients and to support peri-anesthetic and services within two general categories: Primary Function: as the Pre-Anesthesia Coordinator pertaining to outpatients' medical readiness for surgery and anesthesia (FTE 0.6). Ensure testing, consultations, and other preparations are complete for all patients scheduled for a surgery, procedure, or admission, and when needed, assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating patient care in a collaborative method with the patient and patient's family, significant others, and members of the health care team. Coordinate patient surgical scheduling with the peri-operative coordinating team (OR Scheduler, Charge Nurse, Clinic OR Scheduler, OR Equipment Manager, Social Work, Chief of Anesthesia and Primary Surgeon) to ensure medical and logistical readiness of surgical patients to proceed with scheduled surgeries. Be primary recipient, reviewer, and responder of daily anesthesia consults. Evaluate patients pre- and post- anesthesia, as needed with clinical face-to-face, virtual, and telephone consultations. Participate in relevant meetings and leadership roles to support the above at the discretion of leadership. Secondary Duties: as integral member of the anesthesia team assist with patient care on day of surgery (FTE 0.4). Attending morning report ("huddle board") Assist in the OR in scrubs as needed for case starts Function as first point of contact for the department while on duty. Providing inpatient consultations and making post-op rounds. Assist the on-call provider with daily tasks involved with running the daily schedule. Support PACU staff as a clinical resource to support anesthesia related peri-operative questions. Work with the pharmacy and controlled substance compliance staff for discrepancy checks, audits, and compliance queries. PRACTICE: a. Pre-anesthesia preparation and evaluation. b. Assistance with anesthesia induction, maintenance, and emergence in the operating room (OR), recovery room, and out-of-OR environments. c. Post-anesthesia care, including acute and chronic pain management. d. Peri-anesthesia and clinical support functions in the OR and out-of-OR environments. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT (Education, Career Development, Performance): a. Plans for personal growth as related to professional goals based on self-assessment, evaluation, and feedback. Assumes responsibility for acquiring knowledge and experience to meet goals. Actively participates in professional organizations. b. Attends in-service and continuing education programs. Assists with in-service educational programs regarding anesthesia care. COLLABORATION (Collaboration, Collegiality): a. Collaborates with the health care team and other providers both within and outside the Department of Surgery to ensure continuity of the patient's care through all health care settings. Promotes effective communication among health care team members and patients. Participates in frequent team meetings. Integrates regulatory recommendations into a single plan of care. b. Uses interpersonal communication strategies with individuals, as well as groups of patients and staff that result in the achievement of intended outcomes and other's expressed perception of acceptance/satisfaction. Reflects a team player approach in the execution of all duties so to be perceived by other health care workers as approachable when assisting in the achievement of established goals and objectives for improving clinical outcomes. Develops collaborative relationships with other services to facilitate and support quality care. c. Precepts/mentors Rosalind Franklin University students/residents, as well as teaches other students and residents. SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY (Quality of Care, Research): a. Follows all regulatory guidelines that are applicable in the delivery of patient care and ensures conformance to federal, Department of Defense and Department of Veteran Affairs instructions, guidelines, standards, and regulations. Ensures that OR/anesthesia safety regulations and procedures and infection control policies and procedures are observed. b. Fully complies with facility Correct Site/Universal Protocol requirements, including pausing activities during pre-operative time-out. c. Participates in quality improvement activities by evaluating patient care systems that may include standards, protocols, and documentation for efficiency, safety, and quality. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. Work Schedule: M-F 7:00am-3:30pm immediately available on site, On-Call Evenings, Nights, Weekends, Holidays (24/7 call from home divided) Day tour schedule is subject to change based upon the needs of the FHCC. 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. Grade Determinations: based on education and experience. 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 03. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 02 to 03. Physical Requirements: To perform in a fully successful manner, the individual must have the physical ability to perform job-related duties which may require light carrying (under 15 pounds), reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, both hands required, walking (up to 1 hour), standing (up to 1 hour), and both legs required. In addition, there may be exposure to the following environmental factors: working inside and outside, working closely with others, and protracted or irregular hours of work. A health examination must be successfully completed prior to this assignment and periodically thereafter as required by the Occupational Health Clinic policy. There may be intermittent exposure to blood and body fluids.

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 Captain James A Lovell Federal Health Care Center 3001 Green Bay Road North Chicago, IL 60064 US
• Name: Caren Evangelista
• Phone: (224) 610-1424
• Email: [email protected]