Physician Assistant

About the role

The PA is directly responsible to the HBPC Program Director. The scope of practice for the PA includes responsibilities, diagnosis and treatment authorities prescribing privileges for drugs, devices, tests and procedures, and referral authority. The PA functions as an advocate for patients in meeting their unique physical and psychological needs.

Responsibilities

• Assuming primary medical responsibility for assigned patients.
• Delivering care in the home.
• Assessing care needs of patients and caregivers.
• Identifying a patient's medical problems and defining the medical management.
• Prescribing medications and treatment in accordance with their individual scope of practice or delineation of privilege.
• Determining the need for consultation from subspecialties.
• Determining the need for, and facilitating admission to, the VA medical facility and other transitions of care.
• Participating in the development of the individual plan of care at interdisciplinary care meetings for assigned panel of patients.
• Writing orders and prescriptions, as necessary for the care of the patient in accordance with Federal and State law, and within VA policy, using the Louis A. Johnson VAMC approved formulary, excluding controlled substances in Schedules I-II.
• Participating in the development and implementation of HBPC's process for continuous performance improvement.
• Participates in collecting and collating data required for team reports.
• Capturing referrals and evaluation of veterans at the DC Veteran Affairs Medical Center in addition to outside VA's and private sector referrals of Veterans for evaluation and management.
• Facilitating response/actions to patient inquires for care and treatment provided by the Section.
• Other administrative duties as needed.
• A PA is authorized to perform the following duties for patients in life-threatening situations where a physician is not immediately available. PA will initiate these activities but will make every effort to summon a physician as soon as possible.
• Cardiopulmonary resuscitation in accordance with current CPR standards
• Treatment of acute respiratory failure
• Treatment of life-threatening traumatic injuries.
• If ACLS certified, may initiate Advance Cardiac Life Support in accordance with current ACLS protocols, to include defibrillation/cardioversion.

Requirements

• Work Schedule: Monday to Friday, 7:30am -4:00pm, 8:00am - 4:30pm and or 7:00 - 5:30pm, however tour of duty may change based on the needs of the facility.
• Pay: Competitive salary, annual performance bonus, regular salary increases
• Paid Time Off: 50-55 days of paid time off per year (26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year and possible 5 day paid absence for CME)
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)
• Licensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory
• CME: Possible $1,000 per year reimbursement (must be full-time with board certification)
• Malpractice: Free liability protection with tail coverage provided
• Contract: No Physician Employment Contract and no significant restriction on moonlighting

Benefits

• U.S. Citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

Qualifications

• To qualify for this position, you must meet the basic requirements as well as any additional requirements (if applicable) listed in the job announcement.
• Currently employed physician(s) in VA who met the requirements for appointment under the previous qualification standard at the time of their initial appointment are deemed to have met the basic requirements of the occupation.
• Education. 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. Additionally, candidates must 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 PA.
• c. Certification. [Must have successfully passed the PA National Certifying Exam (PANCE).

Physical Requirements

• Lifting up to 35 pounds, intermittently; moderate carrying (15-35 pounds), intermittently; lifting over 35 pounds with assistive devices in accordance with the Safe Patient Handling Policy except in emergent situations requiring prompt patient care;
• Pulling, intermittently;
• Pushing, intermittently;
• Reaching above the shoulders, intermittently, both hands required;
• Walking, intermittently;
• Standing, intermittently;
• Kneeling, intermittently;
• Repeated bending.