Position Functions: Physician Assistant for Gastroenterology at the Fayetteville VA Medical Center whose primary areas of responsibility will involve the gastroenterology outpatient clinic and some inpatient consult services. This PA will be fully qualified and certified to function in both a clinical and administrative role and in accordance with the guidelines and policies of the Fayettev ille Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

Duties

This position service as a medicine service Physician Assistant working to provide the full range of hepatology services emphasizing quality, timeliness, and the advancement of the VA mission. This clinical position involving the provision of Gastroenterology and Hepatology services to an both new consults and an assigned panel of patients in the inpatient and outpatient setting to include use of Clinical Video Telehealth. The GI Physician Assistant reports clinically and administratively to the Chief of Gastroenterology and works in close collaboration with Attending Gastroenterologist, Hepatologists, and support staff. Duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to the following: Receive, triage, prioritize and schedule consults for Gastroenterology and Hepatology Clinic. Triages elective, urgent and emergent Gastroenterology and hepatology patients and provides follow up of pertinent labs, tests and procedures. Assists with the coordination of transplant care, in collaboration with Medicine Service Transplant Coordinators and the Community Care Transplant Coordinator RN, for patients who are either: undergoing transplant work-up, currently listed for transplant, or are status posttransplant. Evaluate patients for endoscopic procedures, educate on potential risks versus benefits of procedures, complications of procedures, and obtain consent for procedures. Identifies and prescribes appropriate pharmacological and non-pharmacological agents Identifies medical and health risks and needs of the individual and family because of the evaluation of collected data. Makes appropriate referrals to other health professionals and community agencies Consults with collaborating health care professionals when doubt exists as to the diagnosis, when expected improvement is not soon apparent and when specialized therapeutic or diagnostic techniques are indicated. Administrative: 1. Primary resource for outpatient gastroenterology consults, assessing patient acuity and appropriately schedules evaluations.2. Monitors and maintains consult tracking package.3. Maintains gastroenterology database and monitors laboratory evaluations for the outpatient gastroenterology population.4. Completes patient's disability and insurance forms as needed.5. Arranges for gastroenterology procedures and interventions with the Radiology and Surgery services.6. Oversees scheduling to the outpatient gastroenterology clinics with resolution of scheduling conflicts. Education/Research: 1. Promotes and participates in the delivery of patient and family health and gastroenterology education. 2. Participates, directs, and provides opportunities for staff development through in service education as needed. 3. Assures self-development responsibilities and maintains current knowledge of trends in gastroenterology and clinical medicine. 4. Participates in Gastroenterology Section's clinical research programs when appropriate .Supervisory Controls Is under the overall supervision and technical direction of the Chief, Gastroenterologist (MD/DO). The incumbent is expected to know the wide range of Cardiology procedures and therapies required to carry out assignments. Generally, the work is evaluated for technical soundness, appropriateness, and conformity to policy and requirements .Customer ServiceRelationships with management, co-workers, patients, and the general public is consistently courteous, respectful, and cooperative in nature. Incumbent will display a cooperative attitude and will effectively work together to implement the organization's mission and goals. Incumbent will ensure productivity is maintained at the established level for the program for which he/she is responsible. Age-Specific Criteria Age-specific care, as identified in the Age-Specific Competencies (see Age-Specific Competencies Checklist), including knowledge of changes associated with aging and principles of growth and development relevant to the adult and geriatric age groups; ability to assess and interpret data about the patient's status; and ability to identify age specific needs and provide the appropriate care based upon the age related factors noted. Computer Security Protects printed and electronic files containing sensitive data in accordance with the provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974 and other applicable laws, Federal regulations, VA statutes and policy, and VHA policy. Protects the data from unauthorized release or from loss, alteration, or unauthorized deletion. Follows applicable regulations and instructions regarding access to computerized files, release of access codes, etc. Uses the Veterans Health Information and Technology Architecture (VistA) to access information in the Medical Center Computer System. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: N/A 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 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. Grade Determinations: 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 (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. 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 1. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 1 . Physical Requirements: Bending, pushing, pulling, reaching and occasional kneeling, crawling and squatting; lifting, carrying, bending, and manipulation of equipment; patient assistance and positioning; walking and prolonged standing; the ability to read written orders, computer screens, patient records, and equipment controls; and the ability to communicate with patients, physicians, and coworkers. Near visual acuity to assess patient's physical condition when performing exams, and evaluating images for diagnostic quality. Must be able to speak and hear to communicate with patients; ability to make critical decisions, interact with patients of different ages and health conditions, maintain patient confidentiality, work under stressful conditions, such as operating or emergency rooms.

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 Fayetteville NC VA Medical Center 2300 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, NC 28301 US
• Name: Jennifer Oates
• Phone: 910-885-5742
• Email: [email protected]