Summary

The Fredericksburg Health Care Center is seeking a Physician Assistant to become apart of the Interventional Radiology Section within the Central Virginia VA Health Care System.

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:

• US Citizenship
• Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy
• 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~ Certification
• Successfully passed the PA National Certifying Exam (PANCE) (or are you in the process to taking the exam) ~AND~ Licensure
• 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
• English Language Proficiency
• Per VA Handbook 5005 - Part II - Chapter 3 - Section A - Paragraph 3j: No person will be appointed under authority of 38 U.S.C. - chapter 73 or 74 - to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA who is not proficient in written and spoken English
• Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements stated above - the following qualification criteria must be met for each grade
• The candidate's qualifications must clearly demonstrate the level of competence required for the grade
• Physician Assistant-I (PA-I) (a) Experience and Education
• None beyond the basic requirements
• This is the entry level for PAs
• (b) 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: 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) (a) 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 Officeof 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
• (b) 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: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) (a) 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
• (b) 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: 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
• Preferred Experience: Interventional Radiology Procedure experience Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• 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.

Duties

• VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package
• The Interventional Radiology Physician Assistant (PA) will provide supervised medical and procedural support for short stay unit patients - and outpatients under the care of the Interventional Radiology service
• The selected PA participates in evaluation - treatment planning - procedural care - patient education - and coordination of care
• Duties and responsibilities include but not limited to: Performs and documents initial and interim patient histories and physical examinations
• Assists in obtaining informed consent for procedures from patients or designated medical decision makers
• Orders routine laboratory - radiologic - EKG - and diagnostic testing under supervision
• Develops competency in the performance of basic IR procedures under direct supervision including paracentesis - thoracentesis - image-guided aspiration - catheter removals - lumbar puncture - and tube exchanges
• Completes post-procedure documentation and enters appropriate orders
• Provides patient and family education regarding procedures - preparation - and follow-up care
• Participates in inpatient rounds and assists in coordinating admissions and discharges
• Assists attending physicians during complex procedures
• Coordinates patient scheduling and procedural preparation with IR nursing staff - technologists - anesthesia service - and Medical Support Assistants
• Demonstrates developing proficiency in recognizing and responding to routine clinical problems encountered in IR patients
• Assists in reviewing and processing IR consults
• Supports coordination of outpatient clinic and procedural scheduling
• Participates in quality assurance and data collection activities
• Maintains accurate and timely clinical documentation
• Work Schedule: M - F 8 am - 4:30 pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Contract Buy Out Program: This position may be eligible for the Physician / Provider Contract Buy Out Program (CBOP) - which authorizes VHA to buy out service contracts (Locum agreements - loan repayments - sign-on bonus contracts - Physician-owned practices) in exchange for employment at certain rural or highly rural facilities for a period of obligated service (minimum 4 years)
• For additional information and eligibility requirements - contact the VHA Contract Buy Out Program Manager at vacontractbuyoutprog@va.gov.