The VISN 17 Clinical Resource Hub (CRH) through the VA Heart of Texas Network System is working to improve healthcare accessibility for veterans by offering virtual Surgical Sub-Specialty Care management.

Duties

The Physician Assistant (PA) will be responsible for overall planning, coordination, and evaluation of clinical applications of the assigned specialty service within / throughout VISN 17 catchment area, with a detailed focus on improving veteran access to specialty care services, management, and growth of the virtual Surgical Sub-Specialty Care Hub. There will be a mix of virtual, face to face, travel, and procedures detailed within the PA's scope of practice. They will require the skills necessary to become independent practitioners with minimal oversight. They will display the necessary research skills to develop an evidence based medical treatment plan for the veteran. Clinical: 85%. Administrative 15% The VISN 17 CRH PA will work as a member of the health care team that will promote and maintain health by providing the following medical services: Obtaining medical histories through chart review, telephone histories, and virtual visits, with occasional travel to VISN 17 sites for in person physical exams Providing and coordinating medical care for assigned patients in any care setting, including establishing diagnoses, formulating, and implementing care plans, and providing follow-up care. Provide both virtual and face to face care as directed. Carrying out various procedures that fall under the PA's scope of practice. Evaluating diagnostic tests to determine the need for further health care or specialty care needs. Ordering diagnostic studies and other special tests, such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Computerized Tomography (CT) scans, etc. Carrying out health promotion, disease prevention, and patient education activities. Ordering or obtaining laboratory specimens. Ordering ancillary services, such as, pharmacy, social services, physical medicine and rehabilitation therapies, prosthetic services, etc. Ordering VA specialty service consults and initiating requests for non-VA medical care and consults in accordance with VHA and local facility policy and procedures. Ordering patient care supplies. Writing orders for or prescribing medications. Admitting and discharging patients in consultation with specialty services for observation and diagnostic testing needs. Writing patient orders on assigned patients being admitted to an observational unit for diagnostic testing or hydration needs. Other patient record entries by PAs, including medical histories, physical examinations, progress notes, service consults, Compensation and Pension evaluations, and patient orders do not require physician co-signature unless specifically required by Federal law, VA policy, or the standards of applicable external accrediting bodies. Obtaining and documenting informed consent for treatments and procedures for which the PA is responsible. Coordinates Inter Facility Consults with Facility Traveling Veteran Coordinators and Host Facility Surgical sub-specialties when non-surgical interventions fail, and Veterans prefer VA care and agree to travel for Surgical Intervention instead of seeking care in the community. Work within your scope of practice and abide by the supervisory agreement. Providing education and counseling of patients and families in preventive care, medical conditions, and the use of prescribed treatments and drugs. Reviewing pertinent medical information with the patient including explanation of disease processes, explanation of diagnostic studies, and preventative medicine. Administrative tasks include attending VISN 17 CRH virtual consult team meetings, reviewing returned diagnostic testing, TMS responsibilities, and other CME requirements. Travel to other VISN 17 facilities will be required as an extension of care for the specialty service and will be dictated by the medical chief of service and VISN 17 CRH Specialty Care Chief. Research opportunities are welcome and will be supported within the scope of practice. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. Work Schedule: Monday- Friday, 8:00am- 4:30pm Telework: Available - Ad-hoc Duty, Worksite must be within the local commuting area of a VISN 17 worksite. 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 United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens 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~ Certification: Successfully passed the PA National Certifying Exam (PANCE) (or are you in the process to taking the exam) ~AND~ 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: Three years of experience working as a Physician Assistant. Prior experience in Podiatry/Urology or Orthopedics. Exceptional customer service record and ability to resolve conflicts and disputes between employees or customers and employees Grade Determinations: 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: 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: 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: 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) 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 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: 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 deliver 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-I to PA-III. Physical Requirements: This position may require potentially long periods of continued Light lifting under 15 pounds, Light carrying under 15 pounds, Reaching above shoulder, Use of fingers, Both hands required, Walking for 2 hours, Standing for 2 hours, Repeated bending for 1 hours, Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4, Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other, Depth perception, Ability to distinguish basic colors, Ability to distinguish shades of colors, Hearing (aid may be permitted).

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.

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 VISN 17 VA Heart of Texas Health Care Network 2301 East Lamar Blvd., Suite 650 Arlington, TX 76006 US
• Name: VISN 17 SSU USAS Group
• Email: [email protected]