The Home Based Primary Care (HBPC) Physician Assistant provides care and counseling of persons or in the promotion and maintenance of health and prevention of illness and injury based upon the medical process which includes systematic data gathering, assessment, appropriate judgment, and evaluation of human responses to actual or potential health problems. This will be accomplished through such services as case finding, health teaching, health counseling, provision of care supportive to life.
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-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.
VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. The HBPC PA assesses, diagnoses, plans, prescribes, intervenes, evaluates and delivers or participates in the delivery of health care to Veterans. His/ Her practice includes mechanisms of collaboration including record reviews, referrals, consultations and patient coverage. The HBPC PA acts in collaboration with other health care professionals to deliver healthcare services. The HBPC PA is uniquely qualified to resolve unmet needs in primary healthcare by serving as an interdisciplinary point of contact within HBPC. This contact provides a personalized, Patient-Centered, comprehensive continuum of care and integrates all other aspects of health care over a period of time. The focus of care is on health surveillance (promotion and maintenance of wellness) but also provides for management of acute and chronic illness in order to maintain continuity. The PA duties and procedures include, but are not limited to: a. Acts as the primary clinician for patient in the HBPC Program; entering orders and other documentation for Veterans; entering orders for specialized diagnostic studies; evaluating results of diagnostic studies and consultations; and initiating appropriate follow up. b. Obtain a relevant health and medical history, completes documentation in the Veteran's record. c. Performs comprehensive physical examination, based on age and history. d. Performs psychiatric evaluation with assessment of potential for suicidal or homicidal ideation as needed. e. Acting as the primary clinician for on-going treatment of Veterans who are unable to come to the medical center for routine clinical appointments. f. Conducts preventative screening procedures based on age and history (including all mandated screening), educating Veterans regarding preventative health care. g. Identifies medical and health risks and needs assessment; screening Veterans to determine their need for further care. h. Initiates medical/surgical or appropriate referrals and consultations in accordance with medical practice and/or specified protocols. i. Formulates appropriate differential diagnosis based on history, physical examination and clinical findings. j. Identifies needs of the individual, family or community, based on evaluation of the data collected. k. Identifies, implements and evaluates appropriate plan of care, including pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic interventions. l. Conducts medical history to facilitate prescription of psychotropic medications. m. Provides relevant Veteran and family education. n. Refers to other health professionals and community agencies. o. Enters orders for Veterans including but not limited to diagnostic studies, consultations, medications and supplies. p. Performs Phlebotomy as indicated/administers immunizations/medications as indicated. q. When indicated, obtains informed consent for procedures, transfers, or opioid contracts. r. Provides timely follow-up on results, including completion of alerts. s. Performs and records history and physical examinations and records data from visits. t. Enters progress notes in computerized medical record and completes workload documentation in a timely manner. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday 0800-1630 Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Pay: Competitive salary, annual performance bonus, regular salary increases. Paid Time Off: Receive 13 to 26 days paid time off per year, not to include 10 paid federal holidays; and 13 sick days annual with no limitation on accumulation. 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). For More Information on Benefits: https://www.vacareers.va.gov/Benefits/EmploymentBenefits