Physician Assistant - Cardiology

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: Must be a US Citizen.

Education

Must be a 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 & must also 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 Physician Assistant.

Certification

Successfully passed the PA National Certifying Exam (PANCE) (or is in the process of taking the exam). License: 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. PAs must maintain current registration in the State of licensure if this is a requirement for continuing active and current licensure in that State. English Language Proficiency: In accordance with 38 U.S.C.

7403(f), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English.

Preferred Experience

Five (5) years cardiology experience. Grade Requirements: In addition to the basic qualification requirements, the grade level of a PA is based on a combination of training and experience. Physician Assistant-I (PA-I): Experience and Education. None beyond the basic requirements. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. PAs at this grade are expected to present the following minimum skill set: 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. PAs 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- 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.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. PAs at this grade should be able to demonstrate, develop, or acquire the following skill set 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 this 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 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- 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. PAs at this level should be able to demonstrate, develop, or acquire the following skills set 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. 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.

Physical Requirements

The work is mostly sedentary and requires some standing, bending and carrying light items. The incumbent must have the ability to stand and walk for prolonged periods of time to interact with the patients and other services.

VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. Physician Assistant will be fully qualified and certified to function in both a clinical and administrative roles and in accordance with the guidelines and policies set forth by the Department of Veterans Affairs. This individual is delegated the authority and responsibility in the area of expertise.

The Physician Assistant will assume major clinical, consultative, education, research, and administrative duties and assignments related to the care of patients with cardiovascular disease in both the inpatient and outpatient settings. Functions or scope of assigned duties include, but are not limited to: Perform initial history and physical examinations on inpatients and outpatients assigned to the care of the medical team. The initial history and physical exam will be reviewed by the supervising physician.

Make rounds on assigned inpatients and write interim progress reports. Develop appropriate medical management plan for cardiology patients under the supervision of the supervising attending physician. Provide ongoing evaluation of patient care plans. Facilitate discharge plans and write discharge summaries for assigned inpatients. Consult appropriate specialty services when indicated. Order and interpret appropriate routine lab(s), radiological, and diagnostic studies.

Perform procedures including EKGs, exercise stress tests. Order and/or give oxygen when indicated. Start an IV and administer IV fluids and medications when indicated (including pain medications, cardiac medications, and sedatives) after conferring with the supervising physician. Assist physicians in medical procedures or minor surgical procedures as indicated. Obtain informed consent from patients for procedures, such as stress testing.

Provide necessary patient education and apply currently accepted preventative health care measures to our patients and/or their families. Ensure patient medical services/procedures are delivered in a timely manner. Order inpatient medications on the patient's chart to include verbal orders. Initiate and/or expedite requests for consultations, special tests or studies on assigned patients and keep the managing physician apprised of results and progress, to include angiographic studies.

Make rounds on assigned patients and write interim progress notes. Routinely monitor anticoagulation therapies and adjust therapies as indicated within desired ranges. Consider the age of the patient as it relates to his/her ability to understand direction, provide objective self-assessment or any other medical milieu appropriate to the overall treatment plan.

Consults with the managing physician for significant acute medical changes that may require therapeutic intervention, e.g., pharmacological, radiological, consultations, surgical, etc. Use clinical video telehealth or video connect to see out-patients remotely. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am to 4:30pm. Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized