VA Black Hills Health Care System is seeking a Full-Time, Permanent Physician Assistant to work within the Primary Cary Service Line. This vacancy is posted as a Physician Assistant and Advanced Practice Nurse (Nurse Practitioner) for one position. Please apply to the appropriate announcement for consideration.
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) Experience and Education. None beyond the basic requirements. This is the entry level for PAs. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). 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) 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: i. Two years of successful practice as a PA. OR, ii. 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, iii. 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). 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) 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: i. Three years of successful practice as a PA. OR, ii. 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, iii. 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 (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-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 delivery 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. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. 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: Women Veterans Health Care Experience 3+ years Primary Care Experience Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.
The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being. The Physician Assistant (PA) position works under the general supervision of the Associate Chief of Staff, Primary Care. The incumbent is expected to complete work assignments with relative independence and minimal guidance. The PA provides a full range of services that includes chronic disease management, preventative health care and evaluation of episodic acute illness to a predominately male population. Major duties include, but are not limited to: Assesses and documents medical history, diagnosis, and plan of care for patients. Initiates, orders, and evaluates plans of care for a panel of outpatient clients. Mediates, manages, and monitors follow-up exams. Provides patient/family education regarding disease process, risk factors, symptom control, and treatment (including use of medication). Consults with other providers and multidisciplinary team. Performs initial and interim histories and physical examinations on patients. The initial history and physical will be reviewed and cosigned by the attending physician. PA also provides ongoing inpatient care for assigned patients with regular review of the care rendered. Makes daily rounds to perform the following: observes and records patients' medical progress, updates and summarizes medical records, changes orders when appropriate (as permitted in Scope of Practice), and notifies the responsible physician of significant changes in patients' conditions. Makes interim summaries of patients' medical records. May screen outpatients to determine the need for further health care or hospital admission, and may admit patients after informing the attending physician of the decision to admit. PA is prohibited from rejecting patients for admission or discharging patients from care, without concurrence of the attending physician. May order routine laboratory, radiological, and diagnostic tests on patients and provide initial interpretation of results. May initiate and/or expedite requests for consultations, special tests, or studies on assigned patients and keeps the attending physician apprised of results and progress. May order electrocardiograms and provide initial interpretation of EKGs (as permitted in Scope of Practice). Participates in short-term and long-term planning of patient care with members of interdisciplinary team. Participates in discharge planning, including education of patient and family members regarding home care. Operates and monitors specialized equipment. Demonstrates leadership, experience, and creative approaches to management of complex patient care. Executes position responsibilities independently and collaboratively in accordance with current scope and standards of practice. Attends medical staff and team meetings and participates in committees as required. Provides leadership in improving patient care, maintaining standards of care, and teaching personnel in a variety of settings. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. Work Schedule: 7:30am - 4:00pm (Additional information may be provided during the interview process.) Telework: Ad hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized