The Anesthesiology Physician Assistant provides direct patient care of the Anesthesia patient at an appropriate level of competence and independence. The programmatic responsibility for Physician Assistant's is unique and differs from person to person.
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. Physician Assistant-I Experience and Education: None beyond the basic requirements. 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 Experience and Education: The PA at this grade is at the intermediate grade level 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. 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 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 credited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). 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 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 3. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 1 to 3. Physical Requirements: The physicality of this position is associated with direct patient care duties such as long periods of continued walking, standing, sitting, moderate lifting, repeated bending, or kneeling.
Major duties and responsibilities include but not limited to: Admission History & Physicals, admission orders, aftercare plans, and postoperative summaries. Provides medical education /counseling of patients and their families. Demonstrates the ability to diagnose and treat Anesthesia patients seen in consultation with other health care programs, both at this facility and with similar programs elsewhere. Demonstrates expertise in diagnosing and treating ill, multi-symptomatic patients during the pre-anesthetic evaluations. Promotes the evolution of patient care programs for the Anesthesia patient based upon current research, concepts, and findings with the Attending Physician. Plans, organizes, coordinates and evaluates Pre-Anesthesia Services including follow-up actions by internal review organizations, and makes recommendations to the Chief of Anesthesiology. Participates in quality assurance program with a multi-disciplinary group- developing criterion for administrative goals in the section. Individual will function as a non-physician coordinator for Pre-Anesthesia Clinic. As a non-physician Pre- Anesthesia coordinator, the individual will be responsible for supervising clinical care, establishing clinical protocols, and measuring and evaluating quality of care standards. Coordinate the collection of pre-procedural documentation with procedural nurse practitioners to ensure completeness prior to the scheduled procedure to enhance periprocedural patient flow. Work Schedule: Monday- Friday 7:00am-5:00pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized