This Scope of Practice is written for Emergency Medicine Physician Assistants at the Southern Arizona Veterans Affairs Health Care System (SAVAHCS). Their collaborating physician the Chief, Emergency Medicine, SAVAHCS.

Duties

This Scope of Practice is written for Emergency Medicine Physician Assistants at the Southern Arizona Veterans Affairs Health Care System (SAVAHCS). Their collaborating physician the Chief, Emergency Medicine, SAVAHCS. Position located Southern Arizona Health Care System, Emergency Medicine Service Line, Low Acuity Care Center. SCOPE OF PRACTICE Responsibilities: 1. The PAs have primary duties in the Emergency Department. The direct supervisor of the PA will be the Assistant Chief of Emergency Medicine. In addition, the PAs work with consulting specialist and emergency medicine specialists. 2. Performs comprehensive history and physical examinations and initiates treatment when indicated for acute and chronic medical conditions. 3. Orders diagnostic laboratory and imaging tests, as needed. Interprets and applies findings to make a medical diagnosis. 4. Uses prescriptive authority granted by licensure to prescribe and administer routine therapeutics including medications, devices, and procedures. 5. Uses electronic record for documentation. Initiates consultation requests and records required notes on all procedures or patient visits in the in the electronic medical record. Participates in peer review and process improvement. 6. Performs procedures that are delineated by Scope of Practice. Emergency procedures may be required in situations where the M.D. is not immediately available and may include initiation and assisting in management of cardiac arrest, acute respiratory failure, and first aid for life threatening injuries. 7. Educates and counsels veterans and families for promotion and maintenance of health, as well as prevention of illness and disability. Instructs patients and families concerning treatment, medications, and reportable signs and symptoms associated with their diagnoses. 8. Ensures that the practice is consistent with Joint Commission, CARF, VA policies and procedures, clinical practice emergency medicine guidelines, VISN standards, national statutes and regulations, medical record documentation, mandatory continuing education, and HIPPA policies. MEDICAL SUPERVISION: PA's are an agent in the rendering of patient care to assigned ED patients. The collaborating M.D. and PA will be in contact, at least daily, to discuss any difficult or unusual clinical management issues. The PA will notify the collaborating M.D. of any significant change in a patient's condition. The collaborating M.D's may appoint other duly qualified M.D.'s, privileged at SAVAHCS, as an agent in discharging clinical supervisory duties. WRITING ORDERS: PAs are agents and are authorized to write medical orders on assigned patients. Every order given is considered as coming from the collaborating M.D. (or designated agent). All orders written by Physician Assistants will be within guidelines of VHA Directive's and 21 CFR 13000135. All progress notes, consultations, requests, and reports of exams written by the PA will clearly identify as a physician assistant. PRESCRIBING AUTHORITY: Emergency Medicine PAs are authorized to write prescriptions for medications, according to VHA Directive. Emergency Medicine PAs may prescribe medications as indicated for treatment. Schedules IV and V drugs may not be prescribed more than five times in a six-month period for an individual patient. No refills of Schedule II and III drugs. DEA registration required. Except for samples, dispensed drugs must be prepackaged by physician or pharmacist. Controlled substance Rx written within the VA and signed by the PA will include the supervising physician's name.These practices may include chart reviews, periodic review of electronic health records, and printout of Rx's and/or order by provider. Physician Assistants will reconcile meds using medication reconciliation tools available. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. Work Schedule: Shift Varies Monday-Sunday Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized 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 Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified candidates in accordance with VA policy Education: Master's degree in any discipline or a bachelor's degree in any discipline with one year of experience as a Physician Assistant ~AND hold Certification PA PA National Certifying Exam (PANCE) see below Certification: Successfully passed the PA National Certifying Exam (PANCE) (or are you in the process to taking the exam) ~AND~ License see below 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. Preferred Experience: Emergency Department Employee at SAVAHCS & Physician Assistant(PA-III) experience level. 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) None beyond the basic requirements & see knowledge, skills and ability got PA-I below. Entry level 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: Ability to utilize the principles of PA practice in the care of assigned patients to provide appropriate care. Ability to perform patient history and physical. Ability to formulate a plan and provide treatment to the patient. Ability to provide patient care that is abreast of changing concepts and advancements in the profession. 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 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 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. 2. 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: Skills to analyze and solve complex medical problems. 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. 3. 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: 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 4. 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: Skills to analyze and solve complex medical problems. 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) 1. PAs at the PA-III grade are at the full performance level and lead and organize patient care independently, practice within multidisciplinary 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 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. ORA 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. 2. 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: Ability to clinically evaluate facility patient care delivery systems and validate or identify barriers to safe and effective patient care. 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). Ability to present clinical findings and recommendations to appropriate management officials. Ability to clinically facilitate the delivery of patient care in collaboration with health professionals, health managers, and other health care personnel. 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. 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-1 to PA-III. Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting (35 lbs and over); Heavy carrying (35 lbs and over): Straight pulling and pushing; reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; both hands required; walking and standing up to 8 hours; repeated bending; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; hearing aid permitted.

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 Tucson VA Medical Center 3601 South Sixth Avenue Tucson, AZ 85723 US
• Name: Britany Johnson
• Phone: (909) 801-5807
• Email: [email protected]