You will serve as a medicine service Physician Assistant working to provide the full range of Oncology/Hematology provider services emphasizing quality, timeliness, and the advancement of the VA mission. You will provide advanced clinical practice, consultation, and management of an assigned panel of patients with Oncology/Hematology disease in the outpatient clinic setting.

Duties

VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. This clinical position involves the provision of Oncology/Hematology. These services will be rendered in a thoughtful and resource effective manner consistent both with VA policies and with the highest standards of medical care. Such activities include, but are not limited to, diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic illness; basic procedures including biopsies, patient and family teaching, consulting and collaborating with other health care providers; prescribing medications and adjunctive modalities; refers appropriately to other specialties as needed; provides care coordination between service lines; and communication with patients and/or their appropriate surrogates regarding findings and management plans. You must demonstrate leadership, strong clinical and physical assessment skills. Work in close collaboration with the Oncology/Hematology and general medicine section chiefs, staff physicians, other Physician assistants or PA, Oncology/Hematology nursing staff, Oncology/Hematology fellows and residents. Coordinate and supervise the delivery of outpatient care for Oncology/Hematology patients including patient evaluation; treatment including biopsies, order appropriate medications, schedule follow-up as needed, appropriate referrals as needed. Serve as primary Oncology/Hematology provider for an independent panel of clinic patients after an initial training period. Perform new patient Oncology/Hematology consultation and return Oncology/Hematology visits and telephone follow up visits and collaborate with Oncology/Hematology staff. Establish a comprehensive plan of care based on clinical findings and standards of care. Establish mutual goals with patient/family. Prescribe medications based on patients' status, accepted scientific guidelines, prescriptive authority, and ongoing evaluation of therapies. Lead and direct others in Oncology/Hematology to assure access to and continuity of care across the VA continuum, between referral bases, and transitioning from inpatient/observation status toward outpatient follow-up care. Order and interpret diagnostic tests, including but not limited to biopsies, laboratory tests, and appropriate radiology studies. Help triage requests for outpatient Oncology/Hematology consultation in a timely manner, coordinate tests and visits based on clinical urgency, and assist in facilitating IFC consults and referrals from other VA facilities. Support and enhance the mission and goals of the Health Care System. Work effectively with others to initiate and lead interdisciplinary groups and establish relationships with professional and/or other related groups within the community. Develop a professional practice by leadership and accomplishments in the development and implementation of best-practice guidelines in the patient care and healthcare delivery. Demonstrate ability to function independently in advanced leadership, critical thinking, problem solving, and project management skills. Work Schedule:Full-time Monday-Friday; 7:30am-4:00pm Telework: Available-Ad-hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Bargaining Unit: This is a bargaining unit position.

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. HPTs who are on track to graduate/complete the requirements should respond as if they have met the requirements. Provide details in the narrative sections of the assessment. Physician Assistant Basic Requirements Citizenship: Citizen of the United States [in accordance with section 7402(c) to title 38, United States Code (U.S.C.). Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified candidates in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a).] 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: Master's degree in any discipline or a bachelor's degree in any discipline with one year of experience as a Physician Assistant ~AND~ Certification: Successfully passed the PA National Certifying Exam (PANCE) (or are you in the process to taking the exam) ~AND~ Licensure: 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. English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). Preferred Experience: -Experience in Hematology/Oncology -Ability to write chemotherapy and other infusion orders. -Board Certification 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. 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. 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: 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) 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 PA-III. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of PA-I to PA-III. Physical Requirements: The position requires light lifting (under 15 pounds), use of fingers, walking (3 hours), standing (3 hours), repeated bending (1-2 hours), ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, ability to distinguish basic colors, ability to distinguish shades of colors, and hearing (aid permitted).

Education

Exceptions for Graduate PAs.

• (a) PAs who otherwise meet the basic requirements, but do not possess the required licensure, may be appointed, pending licensure, as a graduate PA on a temporary full-time appointment not-to-exceed two years under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2)(B).
• (b) Graduate PAs may only be appointed at the entry grade level and may not be promoted/converted until certification is obtained.
• (c) Temporary graduate PA appointments may not be extended beyond two years or converted to a new temporary appointment.
• NOTE: Individuals who have or have had multiple licenses and had any such license revoked for professional misconduct, professional incompetence or substandard care, or who surrendered such license after receiving written notice of potential termination of such license by the State for professional misconduct, professional incompetence, or substandard care, are not eligible for appointment to the position unless such revoked or surrendered license is fully restored (38 U.S.C. § 7402(f)). This requirement does not apply to licensed PAs currently employed by VA as of November 30, 1999, provided they maintain continuous appointment and are not disqualified for employment by any subsequent revocations or voluntary surrenders of State license, registration or certification

NOTE - Accreditation Information: Verification of accreditation may be made obtained from Accreditation Review Commission on Education of Physician Assistant.

NOTE - School name: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application.

NOTE - Previous Accreditation: If your school was accredited by at the time of graduation but is no longer listed on the website, you must provide documentation of accreditation with your application packet.

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 VA Central Texas Health Care System 1901 Veterans Memorial Drive Temple, TX 76504 US
• Name: VISN 17 SSU USAS Group
• Email: [email protected]