Physician Assistant- Radiology

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.

01Grade Determinations

Physician Assistant-I (PA-I) Experience and Education. None beyond the basic requirements. This is the entry level for PAs. 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 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 (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 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 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. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

The full performance level of this vacancy is VN-3. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of VN-1 to VN-3.

02Physical Requirements

Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 25 pounds of force frequently to move objects. This could include moving objects such as pieces of equipment and assistance in moving clients. Must have the ability to stand, walk, bend, and move freely. Must be emotionally stable and cooperative. The physical surroundings involve working with the acute and chronically physically and mentally ill patients, which may cause discomfort related to negative verbal and physical activities from these patients.

Work involves regular and recurring exposure to infection and contagious diseases.

Duties include, but are not limited to: Obtaining medical histories and performing physical examinations. Providing and coordinating medical care for assigned patients in any care setting, including establishing diagnoses, formulating and implementing care plans, and providing follow-up care. Ordering VA specialty service consults and initiating requests for non-VA medical care and consults in accordance with VHA and local facility policy and procedures. Ordering patient care supplies.

Evaluating patients to determine the need for further health care. Ordering diagnostic studies and other special tests, such as MRI, CT scans, etc. Carrying out health promotion, disease prevention, and patient education activities. Ordering or obtaining laboratory specimens. Ordering ancillary services, such as, pharmacy, social services, physical medicine and rehabilitation therapies, prosthetic services, etc. Writing orders for and/or prescribing medications. Ordering prosthetic devices.

Administering, ordering and dispensing IM, IV, SQ, and oral medications. Providing education and counseling of patients and families in preventive care, medical conditions, and the use of prescribed treatments and drugs. Providing care in non-traditional health care settings, such as tele-health, secure messaging, e-consults, and Disaster Emergency Medical Personnel System (DEMPS).

Admitting and discharging patients in consultation with, and on behalf of the collaborating physician/service; PA's may be delegated responsibility for admitting patients, but the decision to admit or discharge a patient remains with the collaborating physicians. Documentation of inpatient notes completed by PA's will require co-signatures. Documenting a discharge summary (the collaborating physician must write a discharge note or cosign the discharge summary in accordance with Joint Commission standards).

Obtaining consent for and documenting procedures performed by the applicant, that are within their identified Scope of Practice. Educating healthcare trainees. Participation in clinical research. Signing death certificates per state policy. Perform emergency duties carried out for patients in life-threatening situations where a physician is not immediately available. Emergency preparedness (e.g., duties that may arise because of national health disasters).

Counsel patients and their families on Life Sustaining Treatment (LST) options, documents discussions, and sign LST orders. Pronounce death in the Community Living Center (CLC). Receives, triages, and provides disposition of consults for their respective service. Serves as proctor if PA has proven competency in the procedure they are proctoring. Obtaining informed consent for the clinic/operating room treatment or procedure being performed for which the PA is an integral member of the treatment team.

Interventional Radiology- Perform a limited number of venous, arterial, visceral, & spinal interventional procedures with direct and indirect Radiologist supervision. Perform GI and other Fluoroscopic procedure with collaborating Radiologist and review findings with Radiologist. Will obtain the required fluoroscopic skills in an expeditious manner. Will obtain required clearance from the hospital radiation safety committee.

Perform post-procedure health management, perform moderate sedation under guidance of collaborating Radiologist. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00a-4:30p. Schedule may be subject to change based on the needs of the Agency. Telework: Ad-hoc telework may be available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized