Career Center

The Mental Health Service Line is recruiting for (1) Physician Assistant for the Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Program. The Physician's Assistant (PA) is a member of a collaborative health careteam whose advanced knowledge and skills qualify her/him to function as a healthcare provider. The PA is responsible for taking health history, performing physical exams, initiating screening and diagnostic procedures, providing health maintenance services. 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 be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified candidates in accordance with VA Policy. English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by VA Policy. Education: Graduate of a training program accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) or one of its predecessor organizations. Additionally, candidates must meet one of the following: Bachelor's degree in any discipline with one year of experience as a PA OR Master's degree in any discipline 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. 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 - PAs 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). Graduate PAs may only be appointed at the entry grade level and may not be promoted/converted until certification is obtained. Temporary graduate PA appointments may not be extended beyond two years or converted to a new temporary appointment. Grandfathering Provision. All persons employed in VHA in this occupational series that are also performing the duties as described in the qualification standard effective 9/27/2020 are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held including positive education and licensure/certification. Preferred Experience: Providing care for at least 1 year as a Physician Assistant. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirement stated above, the following qualifications criteria must be met in determine in the appropriate grade for appointment. Requirements for appointment to a specific grade are based on the candidate's ability to demonstrate the elements described below: 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 - 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 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. 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: Light lifting, under 15 pounds, light carrying, under 15 pounds, use of fingers, hearing (aid may be permitted), mental and emotional stability. Enivronmental Factors: Outside and inside, working closely with others and working alone. ["***This is an open continuous announcement until September 30, 2022 or until the position is filled, whichever occurs first. Qualified Applicants will be considered and referred as vacancies become available. All applicants may receive consideration for 3 months from the date of application. If you wish to be considered after that period, and the announcement is still open to receive applications, you must re-apply to indicate your continued interest.*** The primary duties for this position include but not limited to: Performs comprehensive and/or SUD patient assessment, includinginitial and interim history and physical examination, and evaluation of normal and abnormal findings. Elicits and records health histories in an organized, succinct form.Is prepared to give a verbal presentation to the supervising physician. Conducts a comprehensive assessment of the individual's healthstatus and documents as appropriate. Utilizes interviewing techniques to evaluate presenting problems. Consults with the collaborating physician on complex cases toestablish and/or modify the plan. Manages treatment modalities in collaboration with a physician. Prescribes medications and devices in accordance with scope of practice. Formulates or revises the patients' problem list. Interprets clinical data (examination, laboratory, diagnosticprocedures, consults) and provides appropriate interventions. Provides counseling/education to patients, family, and significant others. Initiates or participates in interdisciplinary collaboration andplanning as appropriate to patient's care. Assists with direct patient care as needed. Initiates and implements referrals and consultations withphysicians, primary care clinics, peers and other disciplines when appropriate. Determines patient care goals with patient involvement whenever possible. Communicates the rationale for therapeutic interventions to thepatient and significant others. Guides families and individuals to utilize appropriate communityresources. Collaborates with the interdisciplinary team and with appropriate community health agencies to establish a continuum of care from prevention through treatment. Determines rationale for admitting patients to inpatient services incollaboration with MD. Establishes and modifies the diagnosis and treatment program. Utilizes computer for documentation. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 0730-1600\nTelework: Not Available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]