The Cardiology Physician Assistant (PA) will provide patient assessment and care and may exercise independent authority within the limits of the Scope of Practice. The duty station is the Traverse City, MI Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) affiliated with the Saginaw VA Medical Center. The PA will also travel to surrounding CBOC's providing patient care during normal business hours.

Duties

VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. ROUTINE DUTIES Routine duties are those performed on a regular repetitive basis. The Cardiology Physician Assistant is authorized to perform the following tasks on a regular and ongoing basis. These duties may be performed without specific prior discussion with the supervising physician(s). Medical histories, physical examinations, and discharge summaries must be reviewed and signed by the supervising physician(s). Duties falling in this category include: 1. Performing initial medical histories and physical examinations on new and established patients at the Aleda E. Lutz VA Medical Center, indicating clinical problems and patient assessment. 2. Providing and coordinating comprehensive care for assigned patients in any care setting, within the limits of this Scope of Practice. 3. Performing periodic physical examinations on outpatients and screening them to determine the need for further health care. 4. Ordering appropriate laboratory tests, consultations, and other diagnostic studies according to criteria previously established by the supervising physician(s) and the Clinical Executive Committee for Credentialling (CECC). Scope of Practice for Cardiology Physician's Assistant 1. Drawing blood specimens (venipuncture) for testing and performing other comparable procedures when personnel who customarily perform such procedures are not available. 2. Making interim or final summaries of patients' medical records as required. The responsible physician(s) will review and sign the summary. 3. Making appropriate records on all procedures performed for which the Cardiology Physician Assistant is responsible. 4. Counseling and educating the patient and family as to preventive care, medical problems, and the use of prescribed treatment and drugs. Initial EKG interpretation. Ordering and administering oxygen. Performing and monitoring patients during cardiac stress testing. EMERGENCY DUTIES In an emergency, any clinically privileged provider is permitted to provide any type of patient care, treatment, or service necessary as a life-saving measure or to prevent serious harm, provided that the care, treatment, and services provided are within the scope of the individual's license. The Cardiology Physician Assistant may be permitted to carry out additional emergency procedures falling within his/her competence as authorized by the CECC (Clinical Executive Committee for Credentialing) in accordance with these guidelines. Management of patients who present unconscious will always be directly assumed by the supervising physician, except for life endangering situations. ADDITIONAL DUTIES Additional duties which may be performed by the Cardiology Physician Assistant in accordance with VHA directives (if such duties are representative of those duties normally carried on by the physician(s): 1. Administrative duties upon assignment. 2. Patient education assignments. 3. "Emergency Preparedness" i.e., duties that may arise because of national health disasters. 4. Other administrative or clinical duties assigned by the ACOS Specialty services and appropriate for the Cardiology Physician Assistant per this Scope of Practice and based on required training if needed. Work Schedule: Full Time Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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. Preferred Experience: The Cardiology Physician Assistant must be able to deliver medical care with minimal supervision and must exercise judgment in independent solving of medical problems not covered by existing guides and make adaptations and modifications of procedures, within legal limits, to meet the needs of the patients for whom he/she is responsible. GRADE DETERMINATION: All grade levels must meet the basic requirements listed above along with the following individual grade requirements: PA I: Entry level for PAs. Experience and education required: None beyond the basic requirements. 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. PAII: Intermediate grade level - 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. PA III: Full performance level - 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 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: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service.

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: Karen Townley
• Phone: 802-291-3794
• Email: [email protected]