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

Major Duties (To include but not limited to): Conduct systematic assessment of the patient's health status and deliver ongoing care throughout the perioperative experience, including pre-operative workup and optimization, assistance during the operation, post-operative care in the SICU and step-down units, and long-term follow-up. Evaluate and assess patients for cardiothoracic surgery consult, both inpatient and outpatient, and write a complete consult and history and physical note in the electronic medical record. Assess inpatient preoperative consults daily, and write notes daily in the electronic medical record (until disposition is determined). Document patient progress and care to ensure an accurate medical record of activity in compliance with established regulations and to communicate information to other health care providers. This includes accurate and complete H&P, daily progress notes, and discharge summaries. Assist surgeons in the operating room with every aspect of the performance of cardiothoracic operations. Perform surgical procedures with supervision of attending surgeon. These include endoscopic saphenous vein harvest, open saphenous vein harvest, radial artery harvest, wound closure. Perform technical clinical procedures, such as surgical insertion of catheters, such as chest tube, NG tube, foley catheter, feeding tube, central line, arterial line, and wound debridement and closure. Remove invasive lines and catheters, including arterial lines, central lines, chest tubes, pacing wires, IABP, and Impella. Coordinate with other subspecialties for preoperative workup and patient transportation needs. Interpret and evaluate telemetry wave forms, EKG, chest x-rays, pulmonary function test results, ultrasound, and CT scans. Perform preop testing such as vital signs, bilateral arm blood pressures, weight and height, physical exam, ultrasound of saphenous vein and radial artery, MRSA swab and COVID test as needed, 6-minute walk or other functional testing, spirometry. Consent patients for surgery and procedures. Fulfill all aspects of preoperative check list, including review with the physician, and documentation in the electronic medical record. Obtain outside medical records, review those records, and enter the data into the electronic system at VA. Write orders for diagnostic studies, fluids, medications, and physical and respiratory therapy, under the supervision of the attending physician(s). Evaluate post-operative patients after discharge and provides patients with medical assistance and counseling under attending physician's supervision. Serve as educator, mentor, consultant and resource to patients, colleagues, other health care professionals and the community. Attend multidisciplinary clinical board meetings, present patient data, and discuss care options in collegial manner with other team member clinicians. Documents results of multidisciplinary board discussion in electronic medical record and inform patient and family of the consensus of the board. Assist in clinical research with data collection and organization, consent, and follow-up. Maintain databases for clinical and research purposes. Give discharge instructions and arrange patient follow-up. Communicate clearly with patients and families to answer all questions and inform about recommendations and plans. The responsibilities listed are a general overview of the position and additional duties may be assigned VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards. Pay: Competitive salary, regular salary increases, potential for performance awards Paid Time Off: 50 days of paid time off per year (26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Licensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory Work Schedule: Monday - Friday (Alternate schedules) Plus Call responsibility of 1:3 to 1:4 for night and weekend coverage. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Contact Ms. Demetrius Roberts, [email protected]. ; the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. 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. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. English Language Proficiency. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English. 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. May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). Preferred Experience: At least two years of experience as a cardiothoracic physician assistant Grade Determinations: The following criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates, and if appropriate, the level within a grade: Physician Assistant-I (PA-I) Experience and Education: None beyond the basic requirements. This is the entry level for PAs. Physician Assistant-II (PA-II) Experience and Education: The PA at this grade is at the intermediate grade level and has had progressively increasing responsibility and experiences. Two years of successful practice as a PA. OR 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 A doctoral degree in a health-related field from an accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Physician Assistant-III (PA-III) 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. Three years of successful practice as a PA. OR 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 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. 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.. Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity (including other vision and depth perception), keen hearing (aide permitted), clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity in both hands. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking (2-4 hours), standing (2-6 hours), stooping, sitting, bending, pulling (1-2 hours), and pushing (1-2 hours). lifting (>50 pounds), carrying (>50 pounds). Transferring patients and objects may be required. Mechanical inpatient lifts are provided. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations, operative/invasive procedures, or home settings. The incumbent may be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. Must complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as annual TB screening or testing, as a condition of employment. Must be able to work closely with others, as well as protracted or irregular hours of work. Must be compliance with the use of ergonomic exercises and employee safety requirements. The incumbent who provides care in home settings or other off-site locations may be required to drive and/or ride in GSA-vehicles.

Education

Contacts

• Address Michael E DeBakey VA Medical Center 2002 Holcombe Boulevard Houston, TX 77030 US
• Name: Ann Martin
• Phone: 210-617-5300
• Email: [email protected]