The position will assist the Associate Chief of Staff (ACOS) in providing leadership and direction for the primary care providers, clinical leaders and administrative support staff located at the Saginaw VA Medical Center and its nine Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) and any other sites of care that may become operational.

Duties

VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. Duties include, but are not limited to: Administrative (80%): The Assistant ACOS for Primary Care is responsible for supporting the ACOS in planning, organizing, developing, implementing, controlling, and refining a comprehensive patient management/clinical support/administrative program which provides services and technical counsel necessary to meet clinical, procedural, legal and administrative requirements relating to the care and treatment of outpatients to achieve maximum utilization of patient care resources in a cost-effective, efficient, and timely manner. Broad clinical and administrative expertise is required to meet the needs of this widespread urban and rural health patient population, in order to integrate primary care functions among the Medical Center and CBOCs and coordinate Veteran care with other VA and non-VA entities. Incumbent is responsible for implementing VHA Handbooks, rules, directives, information letters, policies and regulations governing a broad range of administrative aspects of the Department of Veterans Affairs and the medical center. The incumbent assists in the development of a formal, systematic performance plan for reviewing, appraising and continuously improving each phase of clinical care, clinical support, administrative activity and coordination between other VA entities (other medical centers, the VISN and VACO) and non-VA entities. The incumbent will assist with review of credentialing and privileging of licensed staff, ongoing professional performance assessments of licensed staff (OPPE). The initial and ongoing training of all primary care personnel is a critical function of this position and must be ongoing, flexible to meet the changing needs of the health-care delivery system and include appropriate monitoring of all personnel to ensure compliance and competency. Clinical (20%): Provides coverage for patient care duties commensurate with his/her time, providing direct patient care. This work will be 20% of the time, however clinical responsibilities may be adjusted due to service needs. This aspect of the position is deemed critical to ensure credibility, assessment of existent systems of care, development of interpersonal relationships with providers and patients, and to maintain an ongoing competency in patient-care duties. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday. 8:00am-4:30pm Telework: Ad-hoc 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 Requirement: 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: The following criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates, and if appropriate, the level within a grade: 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 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: 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: 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 delivery 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 Grade 3. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of Grade 1 to Grade 3. Physical Requirements: PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The position is primarily active, with sedentary activity and some bending, walking and stooping required. EMOTIONAL DEMANDS: Exposure to meeting with employees and external contacts who may be angry and/or upset. May observe patient suffering. VISUAL REQUIREMENTS: Ability to read printed material and distinguish colors, such as reading computer screens. Ability to accurately perceive depth so as to move around workspace safely and to appropriately make contact with patients and staff and to interpret diagnostic testing.

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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Contacts

• Address Aleda E Lutz Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center 1500 Weiss Street Saginaw, MI 48602 US
• Name: Kaitlyn Arn
• Phone: (989) 497-2500
• Email: [email protected]