The Geriatrics and Extended Care service line has multiple Float APP (PA/APRN) position openings. The Float APP is a rotating position to cover shortages in all sections of Geriatrics and Extended Care Service (GECS). Coverage for areas includes Geriatric Outpatient Section (Geriatric Patient Aligned Care Team, Post-Discharge Clinic, Community Living Center, Hospice and Palliative Care Unit, and Home-Based Primary Care Section (HBPC).

Duties

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 APPLICANT'S NOTE: This mid-level position will be filled as either a Physician Assistant or an ARNP. However, this vacancy announcement is only for applicants that meet the qualifications for a Physician Assistants. If you are a ARNP that wishes to be considered for this position, you must apply under the nurse announcement CBTC-12140348-23-AVM to receive consideration. As a Licensed Independent Provider, the Physician Assistant practices autonomously and in coordination with health care professionals and other individuals. The incumbent provides a wide range of health care services, including the diagnosis and management of acute, chronic and complex health problems; health promotion; disease prevention; health education; and counseling to individuals, families, groups and communities. Must be an excellent communicator and team player who is adaptable to the needs of a growing medical center. The incumbent will practice with clinical oversight, consultation and input by a designated collaborating physician and perform within a clinical scope of practice. The GECS Float APP is a rotating position to cover shortages in all sections of GECS. This position includes coverage for Geriatric Outpatient Section, Community Living Center (CLC), Hospice and Palliative Care Unit (HPCU), and if a special situation occurs Home Based Primary Care Section (HBPC). Primary duties and responsibilities for all PAs include, but are not limited to: Provide care in Geriatric Outpatient Clinic (GeriPACT and/or Geriatric consultations clinic), and inpatient service in Community Living Center (CLC), Hospice & Palliative Care Unit, and Home-Based Primary Care based on staff shortages and patient care needs. Assuming primary medical responsibility for assigned patients including comprehensive geriatric assessment, medical record review, physical examination to provide seamless care coordination for veterans. Assessing care needs of patients and caregivers. Identifying a patient's medical problems and defining the medical management. Prescribing medications and treatment in accordance with their individual scope of practice or delineation of privileges. Determining the need for consultation from subspecialties. Determining the need for, and facilitating admission to, the VA medical facility and other transitions of care. Attendance and participation at GEC meetings. Participating in the development of the individual plan of care at interdisciplinary care meetings for assigned patients. Participating in the development and implementation of GEC Service/Section process for continuous performance improvement. Geriatric Patient Aligned Care Team (GeriPACT) provides outpatient geriatric primary care management for an assigned panel. Post-Discharge Clinic provides outpatient care coordination and transitions for Contract Nursing Homes Veterans. Provides education and counseling to patients and family members. Assist with any other aspect of care that is necessary in order to provide proactive, timely and appropriate care to the patient. Participate in screening of veterans and completion of consults for the Geriatric Evaluation Program. Diagnosing and managing geriatric syndromes that impact the veterans' ability to age successfully at home. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: total rewards package Work Schedule: Tour of duty depends on the section the float is covering at the time and can vary (Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm or Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Friday, Saturday 8am-4:30pm). Telework: Not available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized. Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment): EDRP Authorized: Contact the VISN 8 Compensation Center of Excellence at [email protected] if you have any questions or concerns. 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. 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. Preferred Experience: 3-5 Years experience in Geriatrics, Home Care, Primary Care and or Hospice/Palliative Care. 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 James A Haley Veterans Hospital 13000 Bruce B. Downs Boulevard Tampa, FL 33612 US
• Name: Allison Mitchell
• Phone: (786) 440-0114
• Email: [email protected]