Physician Assistant (Outpatient)

Summary This position is located in the Primary Care Service Line, Kernersville VA Health Care Center, Kernersville, NC. Services offered will include the provision of appropriate medical treatment and management of general medical problems of adult patients in a primary care setting. Patients assigned to primary care clinics will be seen on a outpatient basis. Conditions requiring specialty care will be referred to specialty clinics within the VA system. Responsibilities Major Duties The incumbent must be able to satisfactorily carry out any duty of Grade 1/Grade2/Grade3 Physician Assistant and perform the following: Primary evaluation of applicants for care at the medical center including history and physical examination, ordering of pertinent laboratory and radiology tests, and initial diagnosis and disposition of these patients. Obtain appropriate consultation from on-call specialists and communicate pertinent medical information to other health care providers/institutions. Enter all reports for incorporation into the computerized patient record system (CPRS) on the day of the visit and satisfy VHA and medical center policies and Joint Commission requirements for documentation. PA must possess computer skills to access the computerized patient record system (CPRS) utilized by the VA. Prescribe medications for patients according to the established drug formulary at this facility. Any administrative requirement for referral and/or transfer to another medical facility will be completed by VA personnel and approved by the Associate Chief of Staff Primary Care (ACOC/PC), Chief of Staff or designee prior to transfer. Perform services within VA policies and procedures and the regulations of the medical staff by-laws of the VA Facility. Perform administrative duties such as quality assurance, peer reviews, serving on various committees as directed by the ACOS/PC or administration. Provide or assist other specialists in the process of evaluation and treatment of the psychiatric patient and actively participate in corrective actions against untoward responses to psychiatric interventions. Evaluate the patient to assess changes in the patients physical and mental status. Appropriately credentialed and privileged and may participate in various hospital committees, departmental and hospital in-service programs, and education programs of the department and the hospital. May initiate Advanced Cardiac Life Support in accordance with current ACLS protocols, to include defibrillation/cardioversion in life threatening situations, if ACLS certified. May perform additional duties as assigned by the ACOS or designees. Work Schedule: Monday – Friday, 08:00am to 04:30pm (Supervisor Discretion) Compressed/Flexible: Not Authorized Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Requirements Conditions of Employment 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 Required Qualifications (Per Handbook 5005) Physician Assistant Must be a citizen of the United States. United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. The Physician Assistant is a graduate of a PA training program, which is certified by CAHEA. Additionally, the Physician Assistant must maintain current certification by NCCPA. Clinical and administrative competence and skills are evidenced by postgraduate experience in progressively more complex patient assignments over at least four years. Individual maintains credentialing for procedural assignments. 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. At least one-year experience with Surgical Service. Must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 USC 7402(d), 7407(d). Preferred Qualifications Minimum 3 years preferable Primary Care experience Preferred Level of Education Physician Assistant Masters in Physician Assistant Preferred Certification(s) BLS Grade Determinations: Full Grade. In addition to meeting the basic requirements, individuals appointed to this grade must meet all the following requirements: Clinical Proficiency: Provides effective care to patients characterized by the use of sound judgment in assessing, planning, implementing, documenting, and evaluating patient care for assigned patients. This includes possessing the skill and competency to obtain thorough medical histories, perform comprehensive physical examinations, order appropriate diagnostic studies, interpret and analyze medical data, establish diagnoses, formulate and implement treatment plans, and modify treatment plans when appropriate; works effectively and makes appropriate requests for assistance from the assigned physician and recognizes complex patient care situations where referral is appropriate; references quality improvement information and organizes patient care needs to assure safe, efficient and cost-effective care; initiates effective actions in emergencies. Professional Development: Obtains additional knowledge and skills appropriate to the practice setting to improve performance and provides patient education in an effective manner. Ethics. Safeguards patient privacy and confidentiality. Provides care in a nonjudgmental, non-discriminatory manner respecting the patients values and beliefs. Interpersonal Skills: Works effectively with patients, families, caregivers, and other professional and support personnel. Intermediate Grade. In addition to meeting the basic requirements above, candidates must meet all requirements described in this standard for Full Grade. Individuals appointed or advanced to Intermediate Grade will have demonstrated the ability to analyze and solve more complex medical problems and meet the following requirements and all clinical competencies: Experience / Education: 1 year of professional practice as a PA; OR successful completion of a PA post-graduate residency program accredited by ARC-PA or by the U.S. Armed Forces; OR a Masters degree from a PA training program certified by ARC-PA or in another health-related field from an accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Senior Grade. In addition to meeting the basic requirements above, candidates must meet all requirements described in this standard for Intermediate Grade. Individuals appointed or advanced to Senior Grade will have demonstrated the behaviors or responsibilities listed in one or more of the following categories: Clinical Proficiency, Education, Professional Development, Management/Administrative, and Research, as applicable to the assignment. Experience / Education: 3 years of professional practice as a PA; OR 2 years of professional practice as a PA and successful completion of a PA post-graduate residency program accredited by ARC-PA or by the U.S. Armed Forces; OR 2 years of professional practice as a PA and a Masters degree from a PA training program certified by ARC-PA or in another health-related field from an accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education; OR a Doctoral degree in a health-related field from an accredited college or university recognized by the U. S. Department of Education. AND Management/Administrative. One of the following responsibilities must be demonstrated: a. Evaluates service level patient care delivery systems and validates or identifies barriers to safe, effective care. Presents findings and recommendations to appropriate management officials and participates in implementation of changes. B. Manages patient quality management data bases such as the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) if assigned. C. Serves on service or facility committees/task forces if applicable to the assignment. D. Coordinates consult referrals within the service assigned. E. Coordinates and facilitates inter-service agreements. AND All clinical competencies. Reference: VA HANDBOOK 5005/78 SEPTEMBER 5, 2014 PART II APPENDIX G8 II-G8-2. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. 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 IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on 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: 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. It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment. 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. Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members. If you are unable to apply online view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.