Summary This position is located in in the Integrative Pain Recovery Service (IPRS) clinic under the Section of Pain Medicine within the PM&RS (Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service) at the Hampton VA Medical Center. IPRS clinic provides team-based longitudinal recovery-oriented care for veterans with high impact chronic pain using a transdisciplinary biopsychosocial model of care. Responsibilities VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. Duties: The PA is responsible for facilitating the fulfillment of the mission, vision, and values of the PMRS Service. - When necessary, the PA prescribes medications, including controlled substances, according to approved formulary, and in accordance with Federal and State Law, and VHA Regulations and Scope of Practice. - The PA works with the IPRS Physician and other IPRS Team Members to ensure that clinically relevant testing has been obtained and appropriate referrals are made to specialist and special programs, such as, substance abuse treatment programs, mental health clinic, medical and surgical specialties, tai chi, and battlefield acupuncture. - Responsible for providing the patient with risks, benefits and alternative treatments and securing the informed consent of the patient/family needed before conducting invasive procedures. - Incumbent evaluates the patient to assess any changes in the physical status and make recommendations for continue care as needed, - Independently manages a panel of patients with acute and chronic health conditions with an emphasis on health promotion and disease prevention using evidence-based practice. - Develops and implements an individualized plan to achieve optimal population health and disease management. - Demonstrates leadership and works collaboratively with the interdisciplinary team. - Orders and interprets labs, tests, and diagnostic studies - Prescribes pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions. - Initiates referrals and consults to specialty services. - Provides education to patients and their families. - Assesses and adjusts the plan of care as needed to achieve optimal patient outcomes. - Exemplifies the ICARE core values of-Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy, Respect, and Excellence. - Practice should be consistent with the biopsychosocial model-based care of patients with chronic pain and other related comorbidities stated in the IPRS clinic SOP. - Must have/develop knowledge and skills in management of safe and effective use of long-term opioid therapy in chronic pain and its complications. - Must have/develop working knowledge of outpatient services in addiction medicine including buprenorphine prescription for opioid use disorder. - Must have/develop working knowledge of physical medicine and rehabilitation, including physical therapy, occupational therapy, kinesiotherapy, social work, psychology, compensated work therapy, and rehabilitation nursing care. - Must have/develop knowledge of psychological/behavioral and complimentary interventions used in chronic pain management. - Must have/develop knowledge of treatment of trauma post-traumatic disorder, and mood and anxiety symptoms associated with chronic pain Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm Compressed/Flexible: Not Authorized Telework: Ad-Hoc Travel: .Virtual: Not Authorized. .Relocation/Recruitment Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized : 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 Master's degree in any discipline or a bachelor's degree in any discipline with one year of experience as a Physician Assistant ~AND~ Successfully passed the PA National Certifying Exam (PANCE) (or are you in the process to taking the exam) ~AND~ 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. 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-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 i. 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 ii. 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. References: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-8 Physician Assistant Qualification Standard. The full performance level of this vacancy is 03. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 01 to 03. Physical Requirements: Lifting/carrying - 45 lbs or more; Standing; Sitting; Walking; Kneeling; Bending/Stooping; Twisting; Pushing/pulling, Both legs required; Simple grasping; Use of fingers, Both hands required; Fine manipulation (includes keyboarding); Reaching above shoulders; Near vision correctable at 13-16" to Jaeger 1 to 4, Far vision correction in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other eye; Ability to distinguish basic colors; Ability to distinguish shades of colors; Hearing whispered voice (with or without aid); Emotional/mental stability; Walking on slippery or uneven walking surfaces; Working with hands in water; Working closely with others; and Protracted or irregular hours of work. 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~ Successfully passed the PA National Certifying Exam (PANCE) (or are you in the process to taking the exam) ~AND~ 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. 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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html. 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 to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.