Summary This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply. Responsibilities As a member of the Surgical Service staff the Physician Assistant will provide medical services to patients under direct supervision of an appointed Physician Supervisor(s) or designee at all times. Direct supervision is defined as patient care provided by the PA while a supervising physician is physically present or available at all times for consultation by electronic communication. The Physician Assistant functions as an agent of his/her physician supervisor(s) and not as an independent practitioner. The appointed physician supervisor(s) understands their duties as supervisor so there is no ambiguity as to who is responsible for the action of the PA at any time or in any circumstance. Every order given by a PA, including those to be carried out by members of the nursing staff is considered as coming from the supervising physicians or designee. The orders must be within the scope of practice of the PA. All progress notes, consultation requests, reports of histories and physical examinations that are performed by The Physician Assistant will clearly identify his/her as a physician assistant. The PA will identify the assigned physician supervisor at the end of a notation. All procedures/duties specified in the Scope of Practice performed by the PA can be conducted after competency is determined through observation and training by the physician supervisor. The Physician Assistant has limited prescription transmittal authority to initiate and refill drug therapy per treatment protocols for specific non-critical disease entities. An individual formulary has been developed and is attached. He/She is authorized to write patient specific transmittal orders for medications as directed by the physician supervisor. The Physician Assistant is authorized to perform the following tasks on a regular and ongoing basis: Perform initial histories and physical examinations on new patients (inpatients, outpatients, Urgent Center). The supervising physician, who will note concurrence, will review these or addendum as indicated. Manage limited acute and limited chronic health problems accordant to PA Guidelines and credentials of supervising surgeon. Examine outpatients and inpatients to determine the need for further health care. Order diagnostic studies such as laboratory tests, x-rays, electrocardiograms (EKGs), CT scans, MRI's, Ultrasound. Initiate and expedite requests for consultations. Dictate notes or enter notes into CPRS. Provide patient/family education and counseling in preventive care, medical conditions, and use of prescribed treatments and drugs. Draw blood specimens for testing and perform other comparable procedures as needed. Perform arthrocentesis and Joint/peri-articular injections as indicated. Reduce and/or splint and/or cast closed fractures. Perform wound evaluations, suture removal and dressing changes. Remove superficial implants such as drains, pins and foreign bodies. Advanced wound care and management. The Physician Assistant is authorized to perform the following duties after direct consultation with the physician supervisor or designee. During the performance of these duties, the physician supervisor must be available for immediate consultation via telephone and if summoned, a staff physician must be physically present at the place where the procedure is being performed, within 15 minutes. Casting, splinting and casting removal. Incision and drainage of superficial abscesses with and without local anesthesia. Wound care and local debridement. Suturing of superficial clean lacerations. Knee joint aspiration and medication injection, elbow, shoulder, wrist, and ankle Excision of superficial benign lesions and cysts. The PA initiates these activities but makes every effort to summon a physician as soon as possible (PS-11-15). Emergency duties include: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (BCLS) and Treatment of Life threatening traumatic injuries. May participate in ACLS in accordance to up to date training and certification. The Physician Assistant is authorized to participate in the following miscellaneous duties not otherwise specified in this scope of practice. May screen patients to determine the need for hospitalization. Staff physician consultation by telephone or direct contact must be conducted prior to hospitalizing a patient. The PA is prohibited from rejecting patients or discharging patients from care without concurrence of the managing physician or designee. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. Work Schedule: 8:00am - 4:30pm, Monday - Friday Telework: No Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact 21CCOEEDRP@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Requirements Conditions of Employment All qualified candidates encouraged to apply. Open to U.S. Citizens but non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. 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. 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: (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). NOTE: Current and continuous certification by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) is no longer required for employment in VHA. (Per paragraph 3a, of the VA Handbook 5005/134 PART II APPENDIX G8, September 27, 2020 standard, the certification requirement for employees grandfathered into the occupation. 3(a). If a PA is certified by the NCCPA, but not licensed on the effective date of the qualification standard, they are not required to obtain or maintain a license to remain employed in VHA. However, if they lose or fail to maintain their NCCPA certification after this qualification standard is effective and do not possess a full, valid, and unrestricted license, they are no longer qualified for employment as a PA in VHA.). 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. Preferred Experience: At least 2 Years of Orthopedic Surgery 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: 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(KSAs). i. Ability to utilize the principles of PA practice in the care of assigned patients to provide appropriate care. ii. Ability to perform patient history and physical. iii. Ability to formulate a plan and provide treatment to the patient. iv. 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: i. Two years of successful practice as a PA. OR, ii. 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, iii. 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). i. Skills to analyze and solve complex medical problems. ii. Ability to function autonomously and make independent medical decisions. iii. Skill to incorporate training and experience into the successful practice of patient care including telehealth medical care. iv. Ability to work effectively in an interdisciplinary environment for improvement of services for patient care. v. 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: i. Three years of successful practice as a PA. OR, ii. 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, iii. 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(KSAs). i. Ability to clinically evaluate facility patient care delivery systems and validate or identify barriers to safe and effective patient care. ii. 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). iii. Ability to present clinical findings and recommendations to appropriate management officials. iv. Ability to clinically facilitate the delivery of patient care in collaboration with health professionals, health managers, and other health care personnel. v. 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. vi. 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 https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is VN-3. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of VN-1 to VN-3. Physical Requirements: Light lifting of up to 50 pounds, light carrying up to 50 pounds, intermittent kneeling, pushing and walking, use of fingers, both hands required, gross and fine manipulation, reaching above the shoulder, both legs required. Will working closely with others, protracted or irregular hours of work. Will operate office equipment. 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/. Additional Information This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.