The Pain Management Physician Assistant (PA) is responsible for providing pain management services with a Whole Health approach. competent, evidence-based care to patients. The PA is a professional with advanced clinical knowledge and competence to provide profession assessment, coordination, and planning of multiple health care services. The Pain Clinic PA will report directly to the Chief of Pain Management.
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. Preferred Experience: Preference is for a candidate who has at least 1-year of experience treating those with chronic pain 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: (1) Physician Assistant-I (PA-I) (a) Experience and Education. None beyond the basic requirements. This is the entry level for PAs. (b) 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. (2) Physician Assistant-II (PA-II) (a) 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. (b) 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: 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. (3) Physician Assistant-III (PA-III) (a) 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: 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. (b) 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. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is 03. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 01 to 03. Physical Requirements: This position requires light lifting under 15 pounds, Light carrying under 15 pounds, reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, both hands, walking and standing for one hour, both legs, ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4, far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and 20/40 in the other, hearing (aid may be permitted), mental and emotional stability.
Core functions include but are not limited to, diagnosing, and treating chronic pain and Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) problems based on Specialty Pain Care focused services, screening assessments, and prescribing medication and treatment. The Physician Assistant (PA) will provide pain management and OUD care as aligned with and inclusive of health promotion, screening, and the Whole Health Model of care and disease prevention to patients, families, and caregivers. Accountable for the management and evaluation of patients under PA care. Applies knowledge of normal laboratory values in the evaluation of patient care, recognizes significant abnormalities, and makes dose adjustment recommendations based on objective laboratory findings and patient-centered assessment. The Pain Management Team leverages the knowledge and skills of the PA to provide highly specialized, coordinated, comprehensive medication management service, to include but not limited to the prescribing or deprescribing of opioids for pain and the assessment and treatment of OUD. In addition to medication management of Opioid Therapy and OUD, and as aligned with the Stepped Care Model for Pain Management (SCM-PM), Pain Clinic Mid-level will provide high level focus and support to integrated pain care not only by the prescribing of appropriate non-opioid pharmacologic alternatives but also, in coordination and collaboration with other clinicians within the Pain Management Team/Clinic, as applicable, by assessing, providing, or assisting with appropriate referrals for non-pharmacologic treatment options as clinically indicated. The OBVAMC Pain PA holds clinical privileges and practices in collaboration with multi-disciplinary staff. Clinical core privileges include: the evaluation, treatment, and management of chronic pain conditions and ordering, performing, and interpreting labs, radiography, and other diagnostic tests for chronic diseases in an adult population in Pain Clinic. The OBVAMC Pain Clinic PA prescribes and dispenses medication in accordance with their State Licensing Nursing Practice Act, Overton Brooks VAMC policies, and the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). Recognizes adverse drug reactions to pain medications and makes appropriate adjustments in therapy in a patient-centered approach and provides flexible, patient-tailored follow-ups, while leveraging available resources. Works seamlessly with all members of the health care team and the OBVAMC Pain Clinic uses professional standards of care, scientific evidence, and practice to evaluate unit activities. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards Pay: Competitive salary, regular salary increases, potential for performance awards Paid Time Off: 50 days of paid time off per year (26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) 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 Work Schedule: 8:00am - 4:30pm, Monday - Friday Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized