The Durham VA Medical Center in Durham, NC is recruiting for a full-time Physician Assistant within the Liver Transplant team.

Duties

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM Compressed/Flexible: Not Authorized Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required. Duties: The Advanced Practice Provider (APP) may be a Physician Assistant (PA) for Gastroenterology and Hepatology. The APP would have primary areas of responsibility to involve the care and management of patients with advanced liver disease, specifically focused on liver transplantation patients. This position will be fully qualified and certified to function in both a clinical and administrative role and in accordance with the guidelines and policies of the Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Center. This APP is delegated the authority and responsibility in his/her area of expertise to assume major clinical, consultative, educational, research, and administrative duties and assignments related to the care of Hepatology patients. Clinical: Primary focus of practice is the clinical management of health care for patients with advanced liver disease, including patients with cirrhosis, pre-and post-liver transplant, and patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Assist with evaluation and coordination of care for pre-transplant patient population. This includes: Patient and family Education Ordering and reviewing MELD and HCC labs Ordering and reviewing HCC imaging/lab. Provide follow-up care for post-transplant patients including monitoring for organ rejection and/or complications. This work includes Titration of immune suppression medications (in collaboration w/ transplant center/providers) Order and review Routine labs, every 2 weeks to 3 months Order and review ID labs for the first year Order and review HCC surveillance every 6 months for the first 5 years (if applicable) Additional duties will include following those with advanced, decompensated liver disease such as cirrhosis. Paracentesis will be performed by the candidate selected for this position. Collaborate with members of the health care team/system to enhance patient care by making clinical decisions, following up on laboratory results, medication management and clinical information. Communicate with members of the health care team. Promotes, directs, evaluates and is responsible for the management of safe patient care to Hepatology and Gastroenterology patients. Participates as a member of the multidisciplinary team to assess and monitor Hepatology and gastroenterology patients. Facilitates patient's entry and exit from various health care systems by establishing and maintaining liaison with a variety of medical specialists and associated staff. Utilizes and promotes approved standards of care, procedures, methods and techniques, safety precautions and protocols in their application to the Hepatology and gastroenterology patient population in all settings. Collaborates with other health care resources to ensure continuity of care. Keeps abreast of latest trends, skills, procedures, and protocols relevant in the area of specialty and serves as a resource person for the medical center staff. Administrative: Primary resource for outpatient Hepatology consults, assessing patient acuity and appropriately schedules evaluations. Monitors and maintains liver transplant tracking package. Partner with existing liver transplant coordinator to manage liver transplant program. This includes: Order evaluation MD summary/transplant packet/TRACER submission Setting up air travel (all other travel goes to the travel office) Coordinating with other hospitals within the VISN and in community Advocating for Veterans undergoing liver transplantation evaluation Participates in Multidisciplinary Liver Tumor Board Conference and Transplant conference. Completes patient's disability and insurance forms as needed. Arranges for gastroenterology procedures and interventions with the Radiology and Surgery services. Oversees scheduling to the outpatient Hepatology and Gastroenterology clinics with resolution of scheduling conflicts. Education/Research: Promotes and participates in the delivery of patient and family health education. Participates, directs, and provides opportunities for staff development through in-service education as needed. Assures self-development responsibilities and maintains current knowledge of trends in Hepatology and gastroenterology and clinical medicine. Participates in Hepatology and Gastroenterology Section's clinical research programs when appropriate.

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: Minimum of one year of successful practice as an Advanced Practice Provider with at least one year of Hepatology experience. 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 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. Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires mostly periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients/residents who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on stakeholder needs.

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 Durham VA Medical Center 508 Fulton Street Durham, NC 27705 US
• Name: KARI LEPINE
• Phone: 906-396-9895
• Email: [email protected]