This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. Learn more

Duties

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF ASSIGNED DUTIES The VISN Clinical Contact physician assistant (PA) will work closely with their respective team and assist in the management of patients who presents for Clinical Contact Center for care. The PA in the VISN Clinical Contact Center (CCC) collaborates with a team of registered nurses (RNs) to provide clinical care to patients through a virtual triage system. The PA will be responsible for providing and coordinating comprehensive care for assigned patients including comprehensive assessments, ordering appropriate laboratory and imaging studies, consulting and referring to physicians and other health care members as appropriate. Clinical Contact Centers provide a convenient, patient-centered, safe, and easily accessible option for Veterans to address their health care needs. Seamless and consistent care is also provided during public health emergencies and natural disasters. The VISN Clinical Contact Center consolidates these services through one center, serving Veterans that receive care at a facility within the VISN. Clinical Contact Center PA will be located at a within the VISN. FUNCTIONS OR SCOPE OF ASSIGNED DUTIES Clinical Functions: (A) Scope of Practice Core Elements. The core PA Scope of Practice elements are based on nationally standardized training by PA training programs accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on the Education of Physician Assistants (ARC-PA) and the ongoing medical knowledge and clinical skills assessment performed by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA). The core elements for a PA Scope of Practice may include, but are not limited to: (1) Obtaining medical histories and performing virtual physical examinations. (2) 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. (3) Evaluating outpatients to determine the need for further health care. (4) Ordering diagnostic studies and other special tests, such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Computerized Tomography (CT) scans, etc. (5) Carrying out health promotion, disease prevention, and patient education activities. (6) Ordering or obtaining laboratory tests and interpreting the results. (7) Ordering ancillary services, such as, pharmacy, social services, physical medicine and rehabilitation therapies, prosthetic services, etc. (8) 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. (9) Ordering patient care supplies. (10) Writing orders for or prescribing medications (11) Other patient record entries by PAs, including medical histories, physical examinations, progress notes, service consults, 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. (12) Providing education and counseling of patients and families in preventive care, medical conditions, and the use of prescribed treatments and drugs. (13) PAs may prescribe or order all medications listed in the VA National Formulary consistent with the PA's level of prescribing authority and practice setting. Exceptions include medications restricted to specific clinical services outside of the PA's practice setting and those specifically restricted by VHA or local VA medical facility policy. An individual medication formulary included in the Scope of Practice is not required. (14) Controlled Substances. Authorization for medication prescribing or inpatient ordering of controlled substances can only be granted in accordance with the Federal Controlled Substances Act and applicable regulations contained in Title 21 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Chapter II, Part 1306. PAs may be authorized to prescribe or order controlled substances utilizing the PA's individual Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) registration when: (a) The PA is currently certified by NCCPA; (b) Holds a current, active, full, and unrestricted license or registration from a state that authorizes PAs to prescribe controlled substances; and The schedules of drugs the PA is authorized to prescribe by their Scope of Practice is consistent with the schedules established by the PA's State licensure or those included on the PA's individual DEA registration certificate, whichever is more restrictive. Work Schedule: Based on the needs of the service )16 days)11a-9p Telework: Not eligible for telework Financial Discloser 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. (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 byi. Two years of successful practice as a PA.ORii. 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.ORiii. 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 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:i. Three years of successful practice as a PA.ORii. 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.ORiii. 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. Preferred Experience: 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 3. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 1 to 3 . Physical Requirements: See VA Directives 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 Fayetteville NC VA Medical Center 2300 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, NC 28301 US
• Name: Jennifer Oates
• Phone: 910-885-5742
• Email: [email protected]