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.

Duties

The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being. GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF ASSIGNED DUTIES: Compensation and Pension Physician Assistant (PA) specific duties include:- Compensation & Pension examinations which include physical examination and claims file reviews: - Generation of medical opinions on behalf of VA legal counsel, VBA or Court of Veteran Appeals- IDES examinations- Special Registry Examinations- Assisting C&P department in reviewing and providing addend ums to C&P examinations- Conducts QA reviews and evaluation - documentation written reports. Maintains on-going communication and problem solving with other sections within VALB - Participates in Peer review and pertinent peer chart review activities as well as participates in care line staff meetings and mandatory functions. - Must have the ability to lead a group of Providers and non-Provider staff to meet VA directives and requirements. The Compensation and Pension (C&P) Provider will meet the VA Expectations as a member of the medical staff adhering to rules of the Medical Staff and practice under their approved clinical privileges or scope of practice. Professional communication skills and organizational skills are highly desirable. The C&P Provider will use their knowledge and skills to effectively conduct multi system based medical examinations, excluding mental health or other specialty evaluations. C&P Provider may also perform non-treatment evaluations for service members who are exiting the military in support of the Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES). The C&P Provider is responsible and accountable for the provision of these evaluations within the C&P outpatient arena. In addition, the C&P Provider is responsible and accountable for ordering laboratory, x-ray and diagnostic studies according to the guidance provided for these types of evaluations. The C&P Provider will perform the required examination, provide a diagnosis, and/or provide the requested opinion as necessary to make a decision on a veterans' claim for service-connected disability or for the military. It is the C&P Provider responsibility to utilize and consider all information including lay and/or medical evidence, claimant statements, claim file review, and any competent evidence of a current claimant disability, or persistent or recurring symptoms of disability possibly associated with claimant's military service. The incumbent functions as an advocate for Veterans and directs them to indicated points of contact for filing claims and for clinical and follow-up care when needed. This position requires use and knowledge of computer systems and electronic medical records systems. This knowledge includes understanding changes associated with aging and principles of growth and development relevant to the adult and geriatric population. The C&P Provider will be responsible for generating C&P evaluation reports solely utilizing CAPRI DBQ templates for the official record of the Veteran's/Service Member's evaluations. The C&P Provider will engage in DMA/other approved internal quality review procedures and other C&P Evaluations or administrative duties. FUNCTIONS OR SCOPE OF ASSIGNED DUTIES: - Assessment and documentation of medical history, diagnosis, and plan of care. - Initiates, orders, and evaluates plans of care for panel of outpatient clients. - Follow-up exams for mediation management and monitoring. - Providers patient/family education regarding disease process, risk factor, symptom control, treatment(including use of medication). - Consultation with other providers and multidisciplinary team. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. Work Schedule: 8 AM to 4:30PM four day per seek Compressed/Flexible: Eligible EDRP Authorized: Contact [email protected], the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more

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: Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements stated above, the following qualification criteria must be met in determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates: (1) Physician Assistant-I (PA-I) (a) Experience and Education. None beyond the basic requirements. This is the entry level for PAs. (b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. 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. (2) Physician Assistant-II (PA-II) (a) Experience and Education. 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: i. Two years of successful practice as a PA.OR ii. 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 iii. A doctoral degree in a health-related field from an accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. (b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). 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. (3) Physician Assistant-III (PA-III) (a) Experience and Education. PAs 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 PAs, and may provide training for health care students. Individuals can demonstrate the KSAs for the full performance level by: i. Three years of successful practice as a PA.OR ii. 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 iii. 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. (b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. 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. 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 3. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 1 to 3. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service.

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 St Cloud VA Medical Center 4801 Veterans Drive St Cloud, MN 56303 US
• Name: Todd Otterberg
• Phone: 605-347-2511 X7380
• Email: [email protected]