This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. 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. Education: Master's degree in any discipline or a bachelor's degree in any discipline with one year of experience as a Physician Assistant. 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. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f). Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements stated above, the following qualifications 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. AND 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 (2) 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. AND 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 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: Three (3) 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 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. AND 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. 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: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Occupational Health. ["This Physician Assistant (Orthopedics) is in Surgical Care services at the at the White River Junction VA Medical Center, located at the White River Junction, Vermont location. This position is full-time at 40 hours per week. The Physician Assistant is expected to demonstrate ability to work effectively with patients, families and significant others, with professional and supportive personnel who provide patient care, and with members of other services. The PA is expected to show the ability to provide effective care of patients; i.e. assesses, plans, implements, documents, evaluates patient care; manages care for assigned patients; initiates effective actions in emergencies; evaluates patients in the ER setting; assists during operative procedures. The PA is responsible for maintaining competency in the area of practice to which he/she is assigned and for fulfilling the requirements of the position. Duties include but are not limited to: Core Outpatient Responsibilities: Maintain specific knowledge and clinical expertise in the areas of general surgery, vascular surgery, plastic surgery, urology, orthopedic surgery, ENT and ophthalmology with priority given to the primary specialty assignments. Perform outpatient consultations on Veterans referred to the Surgical Clinics. Perform outpatient consultations on Veterans in the Emergency Department - Solicit full, accurate patient history. Perform complete physical examination. Obtain interpretation of routine diagnostic labs, EKG, and other tests. Maintain expertise in relevance of test and imaging study findings for surgical issues. Write routine outpatient orders. Counsel and instruct patients and family members on issues such as physical and mental health, diet, disease prevention and therapy, etc. Core Inpatient Responsibilities: Maintain specific knowledge and clinical expertise in the care of pre-operative and post operative surgical patients. Perform inpatient consultations on patients referred to surgical specialties. Solicit full, accurate patient history. Perform complete physical examination. Maintain expertise in test and imaging study findings as they relate to surgical patients. Assist with in-patient surgical procedures. Implement care plan after discussion, as required, with attending surgeon. Discuss and coordinate care with appropriate consulting specialties. Work collaboratively with medical students, residents, fellows, and attending surgeons. Work collaboratively with all support staff. Teach medical students, residents, fellows and PA students in the PA's areas of expertise. Core Procedures: Administer intra-muscular, subcutaneous, intradermal injections. Administer immunizations. Perform venipuncture. Insert and remove intravenous catheters. Incision and drainage of superficial infections and wounds. Access subcutaneous infusion ports. Assist with insertion of invasive monitoring catheters. Insert and remove urinary catheters. Insert and remove nasogastric tubes. Perform arterial puncture. Remove arterial catheters. Additional duties and tasks may be as assigned by service line manager. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm Compressed/Flexible: Not Authorized Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Contact Hannah Neilson (Hannah.Neilson@va.gov), the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required Notifications: This position is an AFGE Bargaining Unit position. This position is in the Excepted Service. This position is covered by a special rate. Current and former Federal employees must submit copies of their most recent SF-50, (Notice of Personnel Action). The SF-50 must identify the position title, series, grade, step, tenure and type of service (Competitive or Excepted). In some cases, more than one SF-50 may be required to show a higher grade previously held. Narrative responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) may be required from the selectee in order to proceed with the appointment. The Professional Standards Board (a peer-review group) will recommend the grade and salary for new appointments based on the candidate's education and experience. For internal selectees being promoted, the board will determine grade and HR will determine step in accordance with policy."]

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