The incumbent works as a Physician Assistant in a hospital setting that includes inpatient psychiatry, the consultation and liaison team, and covering psychiatric needs within the Emergency Room. The PA is expected to provide direct patient care by performing comprehensive assessments including History and Physical examinations, prescribing pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments, and addressing general medical issues in the acute psychiatry setting.

Duties

VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. PRINCIPLE DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES: The Physician Assistant is responsible for planning, developing, implementing and evaluating the patient's medical care in collaboration with psychiatrists, inpatient psychiatry clinicians and other relevant professionals in the Medical Center. The Physician Assistant is expected to provide direct patient care by performing comprehensive medical assessments on an urgent or routine basis. The incumbent will work in collaboration with psychiatrists/physicians on the inpatient psychiatry unit, the consultation and liaison team, and covering psychiatric needs within the Emergency Room. Incumbent will process admissions to the unit, review diagnostic test findings, develop and document the initial plan of care, and evaluate the care provided. Initial treatment may entail a full physical examination as well as a mental status examination. The incumbent works in the Mental Health Service and prioritizes requests to see patients with medical problems in the in-patient psychiatric unit. The incumbent will formulate a differential diagnosis based on his/her findings, prescribe pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments in the direct management of acute and chronic disorders, as well as promote wellness and the prevention of illness. Incumbent serves as a clinical consultant, resource, mentor and role model to other PAs and other health care providers, in areas of expertise. Participates in performance improvement activities including Peer Reviews, monitoring and evaluation of practice within the Dayton VA Mental Health Service and actively monitor EPRP measures, timeliness of H&Ps and D/C summaries. The Incumbent systematically evaluates current clinical practice findings and adjusts the Veterans' treatment modalities accordingly. Recognizes the need for collaboration or consultation, when appropriate, for complex clinical issues. Research: Promotes, utilizes and participates in research to enhance the provision of care to Veterans within the Dayton VA Mental Health Service. This position includes administrative tasks related to post-discharge engagement and suicide risk management follow-up from the Medical Detox, IPU, and ED settings. Incumbent will independently monitor, track, and engage Veterans in telephone outreach in order to satisfy national metric requirements. Work Schedule: Variable - determined by supervisor and incumbent Compressed/Flexible: Authorized Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

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: Master's degree in any discipline; OR 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.) Licensure: 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. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service. 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 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. The full performance level of this vacancy is VN-603-III. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of VN-603-I to VN-603-III. 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: Work is mostly sedentary and primarily performed in an office setting. Typical office work involves active listening, reading, observing, and evaluating verbal and nonverbal behavior, writing reports and clinical notes. The position requires the use of office equipment such as computers, keyboards, telephones, fax machines, and photocopy machines. Visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity are required. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients 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 patient needs. If required as a condition of employment, the incumbent must complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as annual TB screening or testing, employee physicals, etc.

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 Dayton VA Medical Center 4100 West Third Street Dayton, OH 45428 US
• Name: Tina George Osweiler
• Phone: (937)268-6511
• Email: [email protected]