The Acute Pain Service Expansion Program (APSEP) Acute and Chronic Pain Service Physician Assistant (PA) is a member of the Anesthesia Service who works under direction of the APS Section Chief. The PA collaborates with other members of the APS team to care for patients with acute and acute-on-chronic pain conditions.

Duties

The Acute Pain Service Expansion Program (APSEP) Acute and Chronic Pain Service Physician Assistant (PA) exercises independent judgement and utilizes evidence-based guidelines, research findings and VA policies to develop individualized care of the acute and the acute-on-chronic pain patient (please refer to the document "APSEP Standard Operating Procedure"). The PA assists the APS Section Chief with service operations, resource management, organizational initiatives, and service outcome measures. The PA's scope of practice includes acute pain as well acute-on-chronic pain and the PA is expected to facilitate continuity of care with the Chronic Pain Service (CPS). The PA should have a strong clinical knowledge of acute and chronic pain in surgical and non surgical pain states. The provider must be familiar with pain management using appropriate opioid use, non-opioid modalities, care of pre- and post-operative surgical patients, and coordination of care. The position requires good computer and communication skills including the ability to develop high-quality interpersonal relationships with other medical providers and services. Duties may include: Assess preoperative surgical patients and manage postoperative pain for inpatients and outpatients Evaluate and complete consults, including assessment and plans of patients with acute and chronic pain conditions Facilitate perioperative flow of patients on day of surgery Assist with regional anesthesia procedures Management of PCA, peripheral nerve catheter infusions, and epidural infusions under the supervision of the APS attending physician Management of intravenous infusions Provide continuity of care by participating in daily bedside rounds Educate patients regarding regional anesthesia techniques, medications, fall preventions, and other patient care modalities Document all aspects of patient care in a timely and accurate manner Perform other related duties within scope or practice as determined by the attending physician or by the APS Section Chief Work closely with mental health, primary care, surgeons, and other medical providers to coordinate pain management goals Outpatient management of post-operative pain medications including phone calls and clinic visits Work closely with the rest of the APS and CPS members Development and implementation of in-service, education, and training to staff, patients, and family members Preferred Experience: Work Schedule: Monday-Friday This position potentially requires flexibility in schedule and assignments. Telework: Not Available 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 Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified candidates in accordance with VA policy Education: Master's degree in any discipline or a bachelor's degree in any discipline with one year of experience as a Physician Assistant ~AND~ Certification; Successfully passed the PA National Certifying Exam (PANCE) (or are you in the process to taking the exam) ~AND~ Licensure: 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: Grade Determinations: 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: 1.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. 2. 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. 3. 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 4. 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) 1.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: 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. ORA 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. 2. 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 3. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 02 to 03. Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting (35 lbs and over); Heavy carrying (35 lbs and over): Straight pulling and pushing; reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; both hands required; walking and standing up to 8 hours; repeated bending; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; hearing aid permitted.

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 Tucson VA Medical Center 3601 South Sixth Avenue Tucson, AZ 85723 US
• Name: Elena Gonzalez
• Phone: 858-623-1850
• Email: [email protected]