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. Program 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

The Wilmington VA Medical Center is seeking a Physician Assistant for its Surgery Service Line. The Certified Physician Assistant will utilize their clinical skills to facilitate, coordinate, and deliver comprehensive health care to eligible veterans in the Surgical Service at the Wilmington, Delaware VA Medical Center. The primary need at this time is in Urology, but the incumbent may be called upon to work in other areas within the Surgical Service. Duties include but not limited to: Clinical: The incumbent will be responsible for initial screening of patients in outpatient clinics. A screening may include history, physical exams, ordering laboratory tests and x-rays, electrocardiograms, and other routine diagnostic tests. May institute appropriate treatment for less complex problems. Participates in the screening of in-hospital consultations received, may be written or verbal, in determining appropriate disposition. Performs simple laceration suturing; venipuncture; arterio-puncture; urinary catheterization and irrigation; suture removal; administration of IV fluids; administration of intramuscular, subcutaneous and intradermal injections; administers local nerve blocks, administration of local anesthetics and corticosteroids and cleansing and debridement of wounds as needed. Conducts pre-operative work-ups for patients. Conduct patient and family teaching/education to provide continuity of care. He/she shall be available for assisting in the operating room as needed. Inpatient and outpatient and Nursing home and Emergency room and operating room. Conduct procedures such as: Trans Rectal Ultra Sound (TRUS) Biopsies, Flexible Cystoscopies, Pelvic Floor Therapy, Percutaneous Tibial Nerve Stimulation, Urodynamics, Uroflow, and Catheter Placement. Participate in rotating on call schedule. Administrative: Screening of consultations and scheduling patients into the appropriate clinic. Assist in responding to patient inquiries and with clinical issues brought forth by a team member, or other personnel within or outside of this VAMC. Direct scheduling of appropriate x-rays and diagnostic tests in advance of clinic dates. Non-Routine/Non-Emergency Duties: The following duties may be performed by the incumbent only after direct consultation and the approval of the responsible physician: Wound aspiration. Wound incision and drainage. Wound irrigation. Suture of minor wounds and incisions. Administer IV or IM medications. Possible research involvement Emergency: The following emergency duties are to be carried out for patients in life threatening situations when a physician is not immediately available. The PA is to initiate these activities, but make every effort to summon a physician as soon as possible. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) including electrode fibrillation. Treatment of acute respiratory failure. Treatment of life threatening traumatic injuries. Endotracheal intubation. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am -4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.Contact [email protected], the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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 United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Certification: Must have successfully passed the PA National Certifying Exam (PANCE) Licensure: PA's 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. PA's 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: PAs appointed to direct patient-care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d). 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. 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 by the appropriate Physician Assistant Professional Standards Board and will be based on the selected individuals education and experience. Physician Assistant-I (PA-I) Experience and Education: None beyond the basic requirements. This is the entry level for PA's 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, 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: 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, US Armed Forces, or another accrediting agency 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 Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit VA Qualifications Standards - Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer (OCHCO). 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: Physical demands include repetitive body movements including the following: frequent reaching, standing, walking, and lifting of equipment and/or patients to provide patient care.

Education

You must submit appropriate conferred transcripts with your application or you will be found ineligible.

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 Wilmington VA Medical Center 1601 Kirkwood Highway Wilmington, DE 19805 US
• Name: Lisa Newton
• Phone: (610) 384-7711
• Email: [email protected]