PLEASE READ THE COMPLETE ANNOUNCEMENT TO ENSURE YOU UNDERSTAND THE QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS AND SUBMIT A COMPLETE APPLICATION PACKET. The West Palm Beach VA Medical Center is seeking experienced and dynamic mid-level Physician Assistant (PA) to work in Surgical Services. 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.

Duties

The Surgical Physician Assistant works full time in the West Palm Beach VA Surgical Services department. The incumbent functions as a Surgical Physician Assistant under the clinical supervision of a licensed Physician. The incumbent will provide all aspects of care to Veterans at the West Palm Beach VA Medical Center. The Surgical Physician Assistant works in a variety surgical outpatient clinics: Urology, ENT, Anesthesia, General, Vascular Surgery, Plastic Surgery, and Thoracic Surgery. The Surgical Physician Assistant is responsible for preoperative and postoperative care of GVTP and GYN patients and takes first call on a rotation basis. The incumbent will perform rounding and inpatient patient care as needed. The incumbent functions as a First Assist in the operating room theatre for all surgical specialties. Other duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to: The incumbent staffs the outpatient clinics with minimal supervision. Screens and responds to new consults and conducts follow up care to include, but not limited to: evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, ordering and interpreting imaging studies, ordering and reviewing laboratory studies and performs minor procedures. Reviews all outpatients consult daily and triages for appropriate scheduling according to service agreements and complexity. Reviews all inpatient consult daily and assures completion/evaluation in accordance urgency/priority. Performs daily rounds on all inpatients that are being followed by the GVT service. Takes first call for the Surgical service on a rotational basis. First call duties include but are not limited to: Responding to Emergency department and inpatient consults, performing weekend rounds, writing progress notes and orders on all patients on and who are being followed by the GVT service. Performing emergency minor surgical procedures, such as: suturing wounds, abscess drainage, etc. Operating room first assist. The incumbent will assist in Anesthesia Preoperative Physical Examinations Preoperative duties will include performing History and Physical examinations, ordering and reviewing preoperative labs, ECG's and Imaging studies., ordering preoperative consultations for medical clearance and assuring optimization prior to surgery. Writes preoperative and postoperative admission orders. Confirms the correct surgical site prior to surgery, assists in operating room preparations, assists in the safe transfer of patients to and from the gurney and the operating room table, and facilitates correct patient position on the operating room table. Is proficient in surgical wound closure (staples, subcuticular, running, interrupted, vertical and horizontal mattress sutures).Places surgical drains as directed by the surgeon. Dresses all surgical wounds. Places post-op bandages and dressings. The incumbent functions as first and second assist in the Operating theatre for all surgical specialties. Writes postoperative orders, performs daily postoperative rounds, and documents daily progress notes, orders labs, medications and imaging studies. Obtains consults from medical service and subspecialties as needed. Performs daily wound care, dressing changes and drain care on all inpatient postoperative patients. Removes Foley catheters and wound drains when indicated. Consults and collaborates with physical therapy and wound care team when indicted. Consults/communicates with social service, CLC, nursing home, extended care, and community rehab centers to assure proper discharge placement and care. Writes discharge orders and discharge summaries. Writes home health care orders as needed. Secures follow appointments for discharged GVTP and GYN patients. Participation in the hospital meetings representing the surgical service when required. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30 am - 4:00 pm (Note: Work schedules are determined and approved by the supervisor. The incumbent may be required to work various shifts on a permanent or temporary basis based on facility/patient care needs). Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): 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. BASIC REQUIREMENTS: All applicants must meet the following basic qualifications. Citizenship. Must be a citizen of the United States. Education. Must be a 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. iii. Skill to incorporate training and experience into the successful practice of patient care including telehealth medical care. iv. Ability to work effectively in an interdisciplinary environment for improvement of services for patient care. v. 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. Reference: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G8. Please contact your local Human Resources Office for more information on this. 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. 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 West Palm Beach VA Medical Center 7305 North Military Trail West Palm Beach, FL 33410 US
• Name: Selina Montalvo
• Phone: (910)853-5718
• Email: [email protected]