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.

Duties

Description of Assignment: The mail role of the Orthopedic Surgery Physician Assistant is to give care to patients referred to Orthopedic Surgery. The Physician Assistant will assist with the pre op evaluation of the patients. He/she may also first or second assist with the orthopedic cases. The responsibilities also include post op care on the floor and SICU, daily rounds, and progress notes and follow up in the clinic. The Physician Assistant will follow up with diagnosis and treatments of our Veteran patients. The candidate will work closely with our attending Physicians and other PAs and surgical residents, medical staff, ancillary support, PA students and medical students. Appropriately assist with documentation standards as set forth by the VAMC including but not limited to patient encounters, clinic note (examination, assessment and treatment documentation) and other performance standards. Function as a department resource while promoting the teams functions. Maintain all medical education requirements as outlined by the VAMC. Duties to include but not limited to: Clinical Role: 1. Conducting comprehensive examinations, diagnosis and implementation treatment plans, admission orders, discharge summaries as well as ordering special labs, and radiographic studies. 2. Provide medical education/counseling of patients and their families. 3. Verify, establish and assure that identified pre-operative surgical requirements are met, assure appropriate arrangements have been established for admission, and coordinate inpatient activities on the floor. 4. Primary responsibilities for admissions and medical care of patients. 5. Assist the surgeon in the operating room, including prepping and draping, and first and second assist in Surgery. 6. Demonstrate the ability to diagnose and treat orthopedic surgery patients seen in consultation with other health care providers. 7. Promote patient care programs for the orthopedic surgery patients and periodically update them based upon current and new concepts, research, as well as findings of the attending physician. Administrative Role: 1. Demonstrate Leadership qualities and experience in progress improvement, tracking and scheduling surgical patients. 2. Evaluate outside consultations presenting to the orthopedic surgery section and determine the appropriate disposition, routing and urgency of those consults. 3. Facilitates access to the orthopedic team for other Health Care providers. 4. Participate in quality assurance program with multi-disciplinary group developing criteria for administrative goals in the section. 5. Serves as a liaison for the patient through surgical scheduling communication. 6. Participates in program planning to enhance the clinic and operating room utilization. Other Performance Measures: 1. Function as department resource while promoting the teams functioning. 2. Participate in conferences sponsored by Surgery Service. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:30 am - 4:00 pm, On Call Holidays & Weekends Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is NOT a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Contact [email protected], the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more 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 Requirements: Citizenship: Citizen of the United States [in accordance with section 7402(c) to title 38, United States Code (U.S.C.). Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified candidates in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a).] Education: Graduate of a training program which is accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education of PA (ARC-PA) or one of its predecessor organizations. Additionally, candidates must meet one of the following: (1) Master's degree in any discipline; OR (2) Bachelor's degree in any discipline with one year of experience as a PA. Certification: Must have successfully passed the PA National Certifying Exam (PANCE). NOTE: Current and continuous certification by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) is no longer required for employment in VHA. (See paragraph 3a in this standard for additional information regarding the certification requirement for employees grandfathered into the occupation.) License: PAs must possess an active, current, full, and unrestricted license to practice in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia. PAs must maintain current registration in the State of licensure if this is a requirement for continuing active and current licensure in that State. English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). 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: 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: 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. Preferred Experience: At least 5 years of previous work in Orthopedic Surgery Specialty. Experience working in the operating room assisting with orthopedic surgery cases. Proficient in wound management, fracture reduction, casting, and bedside procedures applicable to orthopedic surgery. 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 VN-03. Physical Requirements: Use and function of all normal motor and sensory anatomy for provision of patient care: reading, writing, listening, observing/seeing, heavy lifting, bending, pulling, pushing, stooping, squatting, walking, standing, use of fine motor muscles, visual and auditory acuity, emotional intelligence to respond to stressful and/or emergent situations and crises appropriately and calmly; self-care skills to maintain physical, psychological and emotional health. Examples include: heavy lifting of 45 pounds or over, heavy carrying of 45 pounds and over, straight pulling, pushing, reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, both hands required, walking, standing, kneeling repeated bending, ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to jaegar 1-4, far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other.

Education

Education:
Graduate of a training program which is accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education of PA (ARC-PA) or one of its predecessor organizations.

Additionally, candidates must meet one of the following:

(1) Master's degree in any discipline;

OR

(2) Bachelor's degree in any discipline with one year of experience as a PA.


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 Washington VA Medical Center 50 Irving Street, Northwest Washington, DC 20422 US
• Name: Karen Simmons
• Phone: 202-297-8951
• Email: [email protected]