This position is located in the Cardiothoracic Surgery Section, VA ECHCS. This position provides support to the Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery and the Chief of Surgery in carrying out the mission of the service and VA Medical Center. Recruitment/Relocation Incentive (sign-on bonus) is authorized to highly qualified candidates.

Duties

The Cardiothoracic Surgery Physician Assistant (PA) practices in the inpatient and outpatient settings at the Rocky Mountain Regional VAMC and helps coordinate care within the VISN via IFCs, E-consults and Specialty Care Access Network (SCAN). The CT surgery PA is academically and clinically prepared to perform a broad spectrum of patient care services at the expert level. The PA will be licensed and granted privileges by the Medical Staff to act autonomously with consultation as necessary. Duties include, but are not limited to: The PA provides assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and outcome measures of healthcare problems. This includes the following: Conducting a comprehensive appraisal of patient's health status by taking health histories and performing physical examinations on inpatients and outpatients. Providing ongoing outpatient care and management of health problems. Order and follow up on appropriate tests, x-rays, EKGs and other studies as indicated. Request clinical and non-clinical consultations. Complete consent forms for surgical procedures. Complete daily rounds and consultations under guidance of attending surgeons on inpatients. Dictate/write appropriate interim summaries in the patient's medical record(s). Teach and counsel patients and their families in preventative care, medical conditions, and plans of care, prescribed medications, and follow-up. Prescribe medications or orders per protocol established with the Chief, General Surgery Section. For non-controlled substances as outlined in VHA Directive 2004-029, VA policy provides the prescriptive, or inpatient ordering authority for non-controlled substances may only be granted to a physician assistant who maintains current NCCPA certification or, if exempted by VA from NCCPA certification, a current and fully unrestricted, and active license by a state that authorizes medication proscribing and prescribing scope of practice are consistent with limitations of the license. PAs without NCCPA certification or state licensure may not prescribe or write inpatient orders for any medications. Develop medical Diagnostic plans and implement treatment plans. Act as a consultant to other disciplines in areas of clinical expertise. Function in the operating room as an assistant to attending surgeon. Under the guidance of a supervising physician or surgeon, perform procedures and/or techniques acceptable under the scope of practice for a physician assistant. In addition, the PA works collaboratively with other interdisciplinary team members in providing quality care, and patient education, care coordination and participating in research activities. The PA serves at the medical center, VISN and/or national committees and assists in the development, evaluation, and communication of policies and standards of advanced nursing practice. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00am- 4:30pm Telework: Yes - as determined by the agency policy. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: 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 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. 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. 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: (1) 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. (2) 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. (3) 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. Physical Requirements: Engages in physical activities that involve lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, stooping, balancing, and kneeling to provide patient care in a changing environment.

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: Holly Deal
• Phone: 205-602-8616
• Email: [email protected]