Serve in a collaborative supervisory role for the prescribers on the Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Teams. Diagnoses mental disorders for complex or difficult patients, provide comprehensive interventions, and provide consultation to staff in other specialty programs in the Mental Health Service. Develop, implement and document psychotherapeutic treatment plan for an assigned caseload, including prompt completion of clinical reminders. Function independently as a member of the ECHCS Medical Staff.

Duties

This is the full performance level for Physicians Assistants (PA). At this level, physician assistant, must have the clinical decision making experience to function. Each must have successfully passed the PA National Certifying Exam and be licensed to practice in a state. Staff PAs diagnose mental disorders and treat mental disorders through a variety of modalities and provide adjunctive interventions for treatment of medical disorders. Staff PAs prescribe medications according to their scope of practice. The incumbent has knowledge of psychiatric diagnosis and behavioral health that qualifies them to offer different modalities of treatment to include the prescribing of various medications to treat symptoms. Clinical Administrative duties (50%) - Administration of clinical care that requires PA psychiatric oversight - Participation in mental health medical staff and other position hires - Shared oversight of outpatient clinical performance measures - Collaboration on outpatient MH prescriber Professional Practice Evaluation review - Complex case reviews - Interface with other clinical services - Interface with rest of outpatient, residential, and inpatient psychiatric services - Back-up and cross coverage for the Psychiatry Section Chief Other requirements that are still considered clinical administrative time. (Where applicable and with various accommodations in caseload volume) - Assists the Psychiatry Section Chief in the design, development, and implementation of clinical programs for a team of treatment providers when called upon to do so and with an attendant reduction in caseload (where applicable). Personnel Management: (50%) - The incumbent is collaboratively responsible for the psychiatrists clinical oversight of the mental health APRN's, and Physician Assistants that are under them. Will also coordinate with any Clinical Pharmacists in their areas. - Mental Health Executive Board member - Work with Associate Residency Training Directors for VA on resident training programs including VA Chief Resident and expansion of evidence-based psychotherapies training. - Work with teaching attendings for medical student rotations - Membership in Department of Psychiatry residency and medical student committees as agreed upon. - Direct supervision and training of psychiatry residents and medical students as agreed upon. - Mentoring of junior faculty as agreed upon. - System wide committees as agreed upon. SUPERVISORY CONTROLS: The incumbent exercises independent judgment in the practice and provision of psychiatric services (clinical care, consultation, and education). The incumbent consults with peers; the Psychiatry Section Chief, and the Associate Chief of Staff (ACOS) of the Mental Health Service, as needed.

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. Preferred Experience: Additional training or certification in substance use disorder treatment Minimum of 3 years experience in mental health / psychiatric services Minimum of 3 years experience in treating substance use disorders Supervisory experience 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) 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: September 27, 2020 VA Handbook 5005/134 PART II APPENDIX G8 II-G8-5 i. 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. 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. 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.ORVA Handbook 5005/134 September 27, 2020 PART II APPENDIX G8 II-G8-6 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 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 III. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of I to III. Physical Requirements: Must be able to physically and mentally able to perform efficiently the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation, without hazard to themselves or others. Depending on the essential duties of a specific position, usable vision, color vision, hearing, or speech may be required. However, in most cases, a specific physical condition or impairment will not automatically disqualify an applicant for appointment. The loss or impairment of a specific function may be compensated for by the satisfactory use f a prosthetic or mechanical aid.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on 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 Eastern Colorado HCS Denver 13611 E. Colfax Ave Aurora, CO 80045 US
• Name: Tracy Foreman
• Phone: 210-617-5300 X60625
• Email: [email protected]