Physician Assistant - Surgical Service

This Physician Assistant (PA) is employed in the Otolaryngology Section, Urology Section, Neurosurgery Section and General Surgery Section. Privileges are granted based on: Individual requests, record of training and experience, recommendation of supervisor, and the needs of the department where the duties are performed.

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. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements stated above, the following qualification criteria must be met in determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates. Physician Assistant-I (PA-I):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):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-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):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. vi. Ability to participate clinically in the development of the PA patient care audit processes involving in-depth review and analysis of medical records. 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. Preferred Experience: Minimum of 2 years of experience in general surgery or acute care Experience with preop evaluation and workup-Strong surgical skills including first assist and suturing- acute care experience including seeing consultations and completing necessary documentation, developing a treatment plan, daily rounding Experience in pre, peri-and postop care, surgical rounds, and procedures. Competency in obtaining complete medical history and performing a physical examination or ordering and interpreting laboratory test and imaging formulating a diagnosis and treatment plan prescribing and/or dispensing medication assisting in surgery and other invasive procedures rounding on admitted patient's, counseling patient's and family's. *Essential responsibilities and duties Deliver high quality evidence of base care to adult patients with acute surgical conditions Collaborate with surgical residents nurses and multidisciplinary teams to coordinate patient care Participate in daily rounds perform procedures within the scope and support patient care transitions *Skills and knowledge Candidate will be self-directed demonstrate initiative and professionalism and exercise expert clinical judgment Excellent interpersonal communication skills in order to communicate complex medical information to collaborate with patient and their families. Physical Requirements: Both hands required Walking (2-3 hours) Standing (1-2 hours) Both legs required Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other Both eyes required Depth perception Ability to distinguish basic colors Ability to distinguish shades of colors Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.