Physician Assistant (Orthopedic) - Joint Replacement Coordinator
What you'd do
This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.
Major duties
VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. Work Schedule: Monday to Friday; Schedule to be coordinated with your supervisor Travel: Must be willing to travel once or twice a week up to 90 minutes from duty station (VA Sacramento) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact [email protected], the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more CLINICAL (75%) Coordinates orthopedic care for inpatients and outpatients, focusing on the Joint Replacement Program and all orthopedic populations. Evaluates patients, documents consults, assessments, and plans; writes orders within scope and under the Chief of Orthopedics or designee. Performs clinical procedures, including minor surgeries, lidocaine and joint injections/aspirations, casting/splinting, and wound care. Delivers patient education, surgical counseling, and pre-/post-operative planning. Conducts pre-surgical history/physicals, admission orders, discharges, and assists in operations. Provides first-assist surgical support at Mather VA and affiliated ambulatory centers, per credentialing guidelines. Prescribes medications per VA policy; orders/interprets diagnostic studies and imaging. Coordinates interdisciplinary care with PT, OT, hospitalists, anesthesia, implant coordinator, OR staff, surgery centers, and orthopedic surgeons. Designs, implements, and evaluates evidence-based pathways for joint replacement and complex orthopedic cases. Develops, submits, and oversees Clinical Restructuring Requests (CRR) with the National Surgery Office. Monitors quality, efficiency, and outcomes for ongoing program improvement. Manages clinic/OR schedules, triages consults, pre-op processes, consents, and coordinates implants/vendor coverage. Leads orthopedic injection clinics (consent, preparation, education, documentation). Serves as primary clinical contact for NVCC/fee-basis coordination, PT, post-op care, and surgical authorizations. Handles patient/caregiver communications, phone calls, and clinical messaging. Oversees clinic inventory and equipment management. Instructs, mentors, and guides residents, trainees, and students. Collaborates with partners to resolve coverage, patient flow, and service needs. EDUCATION, PROGRAM & ACADEMIC PARTNERSHIP Develops/maintains clinical rotation with UC Davis PA Program; promotes educational partnerships at Mather VA. Serves as preceptor/mentor for PA students, residents, and new staff. Designs and delivers educational programming for staff, patients, and trainees. Participates in quality and process improvement to advance care and teaching standards. ADMINISTRATIVE (25%) Attends committees and Process Action Teams; represents Orthopedics/Surgical Service as assigned. Implements strategies for clinic efficiency and outcome improvements. Coordinates in-VA/outside referrals, scheduling, tracking, reporting, and resolution. Oversees encounter editing, patient/complaint resolution, surgical volume and backlog updates, contract renewals, and prepares reports for VISN/OR committees. Maintains documentation, meeting records, action items, and tracks equipment needs. Facilitates care coordination with internal/external specialty providers. Performs other duties as assigned by leadership. SPECIALTY PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT & LEADERSHIP Leads Orthopedic Joint Replacement Program development, integrating evidence-based practices. Sustains partnerships with PT, OT, anesthesia, hospitalists, Pause nurse, implant coordinator, centers, and others. Oversees clinical pathway implementation and quality protocols. Navigates VA regulatory/approval processes (including CRR). Acts as clinical champion for innovations, efficiency, quality, and strategic planning. Represents Orthopedics in VISN/national workgroups for program advancement.
What you need to qualify
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. Preferred Experience: At least 10 years of experience working in Veteran Affairs joint replacement. Physician Assistant IV (PA-IV) requirements (Clinical Leader/Administrative Leader) PAs at the PA-IV grade level may serve as clinical leader or administrative leader. Clinical PA Leaders may be assigned to positions/studies where limited guidance exists as physician oversight is not required. Administrative PA Leaders are involved with strategic planning and administrative/managerial responsibilities for integrated programs that cross service and/or discipline lines and influence organizational mission and health care. A PA clinical leader/administrative leader may monitor or evaluate services or programs with interaction of senior administration Experience. PA clinical leaders/administrative leaders require five years of experience which included leadership assignments that involved formulating program objectives and priorities, implementing plans and practices, and 9 interpreting regulatory and organizational guidance to develop and implement policies and/or procedures. 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-IV Ability to assess information and make recommendations that may significantly affect the content, interpretation, or development of programs concerning critical matters or key issues within the health care system. Ability to schedule and supervise staff, students, or ancillary personnel, to include conducting performance evaluations. Skill in planning, organizing, directing, and controlling an integrated program. Skill in design, management of budget, and cost benefit analysis to ensure optimal stewardship of resources. Ability to analyze complex medical care, organizational processes and/or systems, and develop and implement solutions that improve outcomes at the program or service level. Ability to develop and recommend new or revised policies or procedures to justify program goals and motivate assigned personnel. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Pre-placement Examination: Complete TB Testing and Immunization evaluations. See VA Directive/Handbook 5019
Before you apply
Federal applications are different: your resume should be 3–5 pages and mirror the language of this announcement. Read our federal resume guide first — it's the #1 reason qualified people get screened out.
Don't miss the next one.
Get an email the moment a similar federal job opens — postings can close in as little as 5 days.