This position reports directly to the Medical Director, Behavioral Health at Erie VA Medical Center in Erie, PA. Physician Assistant specific practice and standards. Incumbent works independently under the scope of his/her licensure. The incumbent is responsible for self­ directed performance of the approved clinical privileges.

Duties

VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package Duties and responsibilities included but are not limited to: Provide medical care and evaluation for psychiatry outpatients in the mental health outpatient clinics. Utilizes advanced practice skills and knowledge in an independent manner in areas outpatient care, education, research and consultation with physician collaboration as needed. Provides healthcare to individuals, families, and groups across the adult life span. This process includes assessment, diagnosis, treatment plan and evaluation. Manages and provides wellness and illness care to assigned group of patients. This includes assessment, diagnosis, ordering and interpreting diagnostic studies, prescribing medications and treatment plan when applicable and evaluating treatment outcomes. Collaborates with patient and other care providers to evaluate and update changes in the therapeutic plan of care and patient management. Practices in a nonjudgmental, nondiscriminatory manner and is sensitive to diversity. Appropriately documents assessments and interventions. Counsels patients in health promotion/disease prevention strategies. Conduct psychiatric evaluations, including assessment interviews, history and physical exams; lab, imaging, medication and psychotherapy consultation orders, aftercare plans and follow up visits. Provide appropriate follow up care including reassessments of diagnoses and conditions, medication adjustments, and any further tests or consults indicated. Provide mental health education /counseling and brief therapy of patients and their families. Primary responsibility for care of patients when the clinic medical director is absent. Perform examinations and screening scales (such as AIMS, MoCA, HAM-D) and similar non-invasive examinations specific to the ongoing care of psychiatric patients Ordering appropriate laboratory tests, imaging studies, EKGs (electrocardiograms),and similar noninvasive tests. Answering consults for inpatients on the medical floor when called upon and holding scheduled appointments for outpatients to observe and record patients' medical progress. Evaluates outside consultations presenting to the mental health clinic and determines the appropriate disposition, routing and urgency of those consults. Facilitates access to the mental health clinic medical director and other staff for other Health Care Providers. Participation in regional and national meetings for the advancement of psychiatry and continuing medical education requirements. Work Schedule: Mondays/Thursdays 8-430; Wednesdays 1230-430 Recruitment/Relocation Incentives: Authorized Telework: Available - ad-hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. 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. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f). 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). 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. Exceptions for Graduate PAs. (a) PA's who otherwise meet the basic requirements, but do not possess the required licensure, may be appointed, pending licensure, as a graduate PA on a temporary full-time appointment not-to-exceed two years under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2)(B). (b) Graduate PA's may only be appointed at the entry grade level and may not be promoted/converted until certification is obtained. (c) Temporary graduate PA appointments may not be extended beyond two years or converted to a new temporary appointment. NOTE: Individuals who have or have had multiple licenses and had any such license revoked for professional misconduct, professional incompetence or substandard care, or who surrendered such license after receiving written notice of potential termination of such license by the State for professional misconduct, professional incompetence, or substandard care, are not eligible for appointment to the position unless such revoked or surrendered license is fully restored (38 U.S.C. § 7402(f)). This requirement does not apply to licensed PAs currently employed by VA as of November 30, 1999, provided they maintain continuous appointment and are not disqualified for employment by any subsequent revocations or voluntary surrenders of State license, registration or certification 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. Grade and Step determinations of the selected applicant will be determined based on the selected individuals education and experience. Physician Assistant-I (PA-I) - Entry Level Experience and Education: None beyond the basic requirements. This is the entry level for PA's Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 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) - Intermediate Level Experience and Education: 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, US Armed Forces, or another accrediting agency OR a doctoral degree in a health-related field from an accredited college or university recognized by the US Department of Education. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 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) - Full Performance Level Experience and Education: 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, US Armed Forces, or another accrediting agency AND one year of professional practice as a PA Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 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 Preferred Experience: Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder treatment 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 PA-III. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of PA-I to PA-III. Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting, 15-44 pounds; light lifting, under 15 pounds; moderate carrying, 15-44 pounds; reaching above shoulders; use of fingers; both hands required; walking 6-8 hours; standing 6-8 hours; both legs required; ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and 20/40 in the other; both eyes required; depth perception; ability to distinguish basic colors; hearing (aid permitted) min 15/20 one ear and mental and emotional stability required.

Education

Contacts

• Address Erie VA Medical Center 135 East 38th Street Erie, PA 16504 US
• Name: Tanisha Graves
• Phone: (614) 747-4049
• Email: [email protected]