The Care in the Community (CITC) Physician Assistant will evaluate Non-VA care consults for approval according to guidelines and processes.
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: 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. 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. 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 PA3. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of PA1 to PA3. Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires mostly periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients/residents who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on stakeholder needs.
Work Schedule: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM Monday-Friday Compressed/Flexible: Not Authorized. Telework: Not Authorized. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized. Duties include, but not limited to the following: Clinical (approximately 95%): Primary focus is clinical care coordination for patients receiving services from Community Care partners. Will perform clinical review of medical records, including progress notes, physical examinations, labs, imaging, and medical histories to assist in care in the community consult Delegation of Authority clinical review. Assists with the coordination of care, in collaboration with DVAHCS service lines and the Community Care staff, for patients who are receiving VA authorized care in the community. Participates as a member of the multidisciplinary team to facilitate services for Veterans throughout the DVAHCS. Facilitates patient's entry and exit from various health care systems by establishing and maintaining liaison with a variety of medical specialists and associated staff within this facility and Community Care partners. Collaborates and coordinates with other health care resources to ensure continuity of care. Keeps abreast of the latest VHA Office of Community Care Program policies and procedures and serves as a resource person for medical center staff. Follows the Office of Community Care policies and procedures for referrals sent to DVAHCS Community Partners. Expected to review, correct, and place consults in accordance to DVAHCS policies. Review and interpret records from community providers, to include additional request for services. Access third party authorizer online portals, community partner medical record portals and VA medical records (CPRS, CTM, VistaImaging and JLV) to perform clinical decision making. Document and communicate clinical reasoning in medical record. Reviews community provider referrals for sufficient supporting clinical information and appropriate completion of required documents prior to submitting consults/diagnostics/ other orders on behalf of the community provider. If insufficient communicates so the community provider and or Veteran are advised of additional information/lab results/diagnostics etc. required to proceed with the referral. Administrative (approximately 2.5%): DVAHCS Office of Community Care liaison to the VISN Office, DVAHCS Executive Leadership Team, DVAHCS Service Chiefs, and Service Line when applicable. Education/Research (approximately 2.5%): Promotes and participates in the delivery of patient and family education related to facilitating community care services. Participates, directs, and provides opportunities for staff development through in-service education as needed. Assures self-development responsibilities and maintains current knowledge of VHA Office of Community Care services.