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

Duties to include but not limited to: Clinical Role: 1. Daily inpatient care and documentation for all Cardiothoracic patients and inpatient consultations, including preoperative work-up, postoperative notes, pre-operative consents, and patient evaluations. 2. Coordinate all consultations to ancillary services (e.g. physical therapy, occupational therapy, respiratory therapy). 3. Participate in daily discharge planning. Coordinate and assist with patient discharges and transfers. Complete discharge summaries in a timely manner and in accordance with VA policy. 4. Outpatient clinic care and the coordination of pre-operative evaluations; comprehensive outpatient post-operative care, and outpatient consultations. 5. First- and second-assisting with cardiothoracic operative cases. 6. For a PA to function at the "PA-2" level, he/she is expected to have more advanced clinical capabilities, including the skills to analyze and solve complex medical problems, the ability to function autonomously and make independent clinical decisions, and the skills needed to incorporate training and experience into the successful practice of patient care (including telehealth medical care). 7. PA's at the "PA-3" level are at the full performance level and lead and organize patient care independently, practice within multi-disciplinary teams, and coordinate all aspect of 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 junior PAs, and may provide training for health care students or house staff. 8. A PA at the PA-3 level must have the ability to clinically evaluate facility patient care delivery systems and validate or identify barriers to safe, effective patient care. He/she must have the skill to consistently demonstrate an elevated level of expertise and autonomy in diagnosing and treating seriously ill, multi-symptomatic patients, documented through facility Focused Professional Practice Evaluation (FPPE) and/or Ongoing Professional Practice Evaluation (OPPE). He/she must have the ability to clinically facilitate the delivery of patient care in collaboration with health professionals, health managers and other health care personnel. He/she must have the ability to initiate and implement clinical changes to established treatment protocols based upon new medical literature research findings to enhance patient care delivery for improved patient outcomes. He/she must have the ability to participate clinically in the development of the PA patient care audit process involving in-depth review and analysis of medical records. Administrative Role: 1. The physician assistant will be involved in coordinating and organizing many ongoing projects within our division; include IRB approved clinical research projects. 2. Appropriately assist with other documentation standards as set forth by the VAMC including but not limited to patient encounters, timely and appropriate consult disposition, and appropriate clinical notes. Reusable Medical Equipment (RME): The incumbent will have knowledge of the processes for Reusable Medical Equipment (RME)as required by this position. The incumbent will be required to maintain current knowledge of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) which document the processes and procedures for cleaning, disinfection, sterilization and preparation of RME appropriate to this position. The incumbent will be able to demonstrate their ability to utilize an acceptable proficiency in the use of RME appropriate to this position. Other Functions: 1. Function as department resource while promoting team function 2. Participate in all appropriate clinical and administrative conferences 3. Other duties to support patient care and team function, as determined by the Chief of the Cardiothoracic Surgery Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:00 am - 3:30 pm Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is NOT a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Contact [email protected], the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not AuthorizedPCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): 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: 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 Bachelor's degree in any discipline with one year of experience as a PA. Certification. Must have successfully passed the PA National Certifying Exam (PANCE). Licensure. PAs must possess an active, current, full, and unrestricted license to practice in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia. PAs must maintain current registration in the State of licensure if this is a requirement for continuing active and current licensure in that State. English Language Proficiency. PAs appointed to direct patient-care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements stated above, the following qualification criteria must be met in determining the appropriate grade assignment of: Physician Assistant-I (PA-I) Experience and Education. None beyond the basic requirements. This is the entry level for PAs. 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: 1. Ability to utilize the principles of PA practice in the care of assigned patients to provide appropriate care. 2. Ability to perform patient history and physical. 3. Ability to formulate a plan and provide treatment to the patient. 4. 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: 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. 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: 1. Skills to analyze and solve complex medical problems. 2. Ability to function autonomously and make independent medical decisions. 3. Skill to incorporate training and experience into the successful practice of patient care including telehealth medical care. 4. Ability to work effectively in an interdisciplinary environment for improvement of services for patient care. 5. Ability to practice with colleagues and peers collaboratively. 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 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: 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. 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: 1. Ability to clinically evaluate facility patient care delivery systems and validate or identify barriers to safe and effective patient care. 2. 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). 3. Ability to present clinical findings and recommendations to appropriate management officials. 4. Ability to clinically facilitate the delivery of patient care in collaboration with health professionals, health managers, and other health care personnel. 5. 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. 6. Ability to participate clinically in the development of the PA patient care audit processes involving in-depth review and analysis of medical records. Preferred Experience: Preferred experience in emergency medicine. 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 VN-03. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of VN-01 to VN-03. Physical Requirements:Heavy lifting, 45 pounds and over; heavy carrying, 45 pounds and over; straight pulling - intermittent hours; pushing; reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; both hands required; walking/standing 8 hours; occasional kneeling; repeated bending; both legs required; ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; specific visual correction to read fine print; ability to distinguish basic colors; ability to distinguish shades of color; hearing (aid permitted); and mental/emotional stability. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service.

Education

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

Bachelor's degree in any discipline with one year of experience as a PA.



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 Washington VA Medical Center 50 Irving Street, Northwest Washington, DC 20422 US
• Name: Karen Simmons
• Phone: 202-297-8951
• Email: [email protected]