Career Center

The VA Texas Valley Coastal Bend Health Care System is currently seeking a full-time Physician Assistant, Urology/Orthopedics in Surgery Services to work with other health care providers and interdisciplinary health care teams to deliver cost effective, quality health care for both inpatients and outpatients 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: 2 or more years of VA or DOD experience. Current certification by a national recognized certifying body. Demonstrated ability to use computer systems in support patient care delivery. 5 years of experience or more of clinical practice Urology/Uotho management. Experience coordinating patient care between various disciplines in the Surgery Department. Completion of surgery management graduate certificate program. Grade 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. ORA 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 multidisciplinary 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.ORA doctoral degree in 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 deliver 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. References: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-8 Physician Assistant Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. 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-1 to PA-III. Physical Requirements: Moderate Lifting of 15-44 pounds, Lifting under 15 pounds, Moderate carrying of 15-44 pounds, Light carrying under 15 pounds, Straight pulling less than 1 hour, Pushing for less than 1 hour, Reaching above the shoulders, Use of fingers, Both hands required, Walking for 4 hours, Standing for 4 hours, Climbing, legs only less than 1 hour, Climbing, use of legs and arms, Both legs required, Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, Both eyes required, Depth perception, Ability to distinguish basic colors, Ability to distinguish shades of colors, Hearing (aid may be permitted). ["The Physician Assistant delivers holistic and comprehensive patient focused services as the agent of the primary care provider, utilizing the nursing process which includes: Assessment, Diagnosis, Planning, Implementation and Evaluation, and modification based upon the response to the plan of care. Serves as an agent of the primary care provider, prescribing and monitoring the implementation of pharmacological and other methods of management for health promotion. The PA clinical responsibilities include, but may not be limited to: Performing initial histories and physical examinations on inpatients and outpatients. All admitting inpatient history and physical exams will be reviewed and countersigned by a physician. Provides ongoing outpatient care for assigned patients. Performing periodic physical examination on nursing home, residential and domiciliary residents. Screening outpatients to determine need for further care. - Prescribing medications within defined scope of practice. Orders diagnostic studies (such as laboratory tests, x-rays, electrocardiograms, etc.) - Carry out health promotion and disease prevention activities Draws blood specimens for testing and performing other comparable lab procedures, if needed. Initiates and expedites requests for consultations and scheduling special tests and studies. Make interim summaries of the patient's medical record. Initiates requests for consultation services with other VA and Non-VA services, with supervisor Work Schedule: Monday - Friday (8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.)\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]