The Primary Care Physician Assistant (PA) will provide outpatient primary care treatment to Veterans with acute and chronic illness, with emphasis on preventive medicine. Evaluation and assessment of patients, followed by evidence based treatment of patient's health care needs, in a Veteran centric, team-based model of care delivery. Routine coordination and collaboration with specialty care, mental health, and other team members, is considered an essential component of this position.

Duties

Duties include, but are not limited to: 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. Providing and coordinating comprehensive care for assigned patients in any care setting. Performing periodic physical examinations on outpatients, and screening them to determine the need for further health care. Ordering appropriate laboratory tests, consultations, and other diagnostic studies according to criteria previously established by the supervising physician(s) and the Medical Staff Executive Committee. Making interim or final summaries of patients' medical records as required. The responsible physician(s) will review and sign the summary. Making appropriate records on all procedures performed for which the PA is responsible. Counseling and educating the patient and family as to preventive care, medical problems, and the use of prescribed treatment and drugs. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday; 8:00am-4:30pm Compressed/Flexible: Up to supervisory discretion. Telework: Ad-hoc eligible, up to supervisory discretion. 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 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: 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: Reaching: This position requires frequent extension of the hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction including above or below shoulder level, including retrieval of needed equipment and supplies. Standing: This position frequently requires the maintenance of an upright position to perform duties such as those associated with patient care. Walking: This position requires frequent moving about on foot to accomplish tasks, such as delivering mail. Lifting: This position requires occasional raising of objects from a lower position to a higher position or the movement of objects horizontally position to position. Lifting may be done in the movement of equipment or supplies. Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 25 pounds of force frequently to move objects. Fingering/hands: This position requires constant writing or otherwise working with fingers and/or hands, including one or both hands to include duties such as entering information into the computer, etc. Talking: This position requires constant expression of ideas by means of the spoken word, including the provision of information to internal and external contacts, and the sharing of information with co-workers. Hearing: This position requires constant perception of sounds at normal range, including the reception of oral communication both in person and over the phone. Repetitive motions: This position requires constant substantial movements (motion) of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers, as is done when entering information into the computer. Vision: This position requires constant ability to see near and far, requires depth perception and the ability to distinguish between basic colors and shades of colors when reading computer monitors, etc. Balancing: This position requires constant maintenance of equilibrium to prevent falling such as assisting co-workers and external customers with activity. Bending: This position requires frequent bending of the body downward and forward to assume appropriate-level position to retrieve items.

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]