Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration Hiring for Physician Assistant (Supervisory Geriatrics & Extended Care) at Louisville, Kentucky Full Time

Summary This Physician Assistant (PA) will function in multiple areas throughout the Department of Geriatrics & Extended Care at the Robley Rex VAMC, including, but not limited to, the Inpatient/Outpatient Hospice & Palliative, Geriatric Primary Care, Memory/Falls Clinics, Acute Care for the Elderly programs. Responsibilities Louisville VA Medical Center: (Louisville, KY): The Robley Rex Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) improves the health of our veterans by providing a continuum of care through an integrated health care delivery system. We are a tertiary care facility classified as a level 1 b facility affiliated with the University of Louisville, as such integrates teaching, research, and advanced patient care, making it an attractive academic medical center. The facility offers a full spectrum of comprehensive health care services, using state-of-the-art technology and innovative programs, as well as education and research benefits to Veterans residing in 40 counties in Central and Western Kentucky and in Southern Indiana. Duties include but are not limited to: The duties and responsibilities will be at the direction of the ACOS and Deputy ACOS, GEC.. This PA will be fully qualified and certified to function in a clinical, educational and administrative role in accordance with the guidelines and policies of the RRVAMC. This individual is delegated the authority and responsibility to assume clinical, consultation, educational, research and administrative duties and responsibilities related to the patients and staff of the Department of Geriatrics & Extended Care. This Supervisory Physician Assistant will be the lead PA throughout the service and will ensure competency of all staff involved in GEC process, including fellow PAs, NPs, Health Technicians, and other appropriate staff as needed. This PA will also assist in the training, orienting, and evaluation of work performance and performance appraisal of these GEC staff. This PA will also be involved in interviewing, making recommendations for hiring, counseling, disciplining and making recommendations for or taking disciplinary actions for GEC staff. Primary focus of practice is the clinical management of health care to the veterans assigned to the GEC programs, particularly pertinent coverage of palliative care outpatient clinics, geriatric outpatient clinics (including primary geriatric care, memory care, falls clinic, etc.), Geriatric ED program, inpatient programs in palliative care and geriatrics as well as other areas as needed within the service. This could include continuity care in an outpatient geriatric and/or palliative care setting as service needs dictate. Performing initial histories and physical examinations on new and follow up inpatients and outpatients, making recommendation for care, and coordinating interdisciplinary care as warranted. These will be reviewed by the supervising physician as necessary, who will note concurrence and/or provide clarification in an addendum. Ordering diagnostic studies such as laboratory tests, x-rays, electrocardiograms. Carrying out health promotion and disease prevention activities. Drawing blood specimens for testing and performing other comparable laboratory procedures, as needed. Initiating and expediting requests for consultations and scheduling special tests and studies. Making daily rounds to observe and record patient’s medical progress, updating and summarizing medical records, changing orders when appropriate, and notifying the responsible physician of significant changes in the patient’s condition or unexpected results. Making interim summaries in the patient’s medical record. Providing education and counseling of patients and families in preventive care, medical conditions and use of prescribed treatments and drugs. Facilitate care of patients requiring GEC Services, as well as their entry and exit from various health care systems by establishing and maintaining liaison with a variety of medical specialists and associated staff. Initiate and accept referrals to GEC related clinics and/or community agencies. Collaborate with other health care resources to insure timely and appropriate care of patients. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday (8:00am – 4:30pm) Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Requirements Conditions of Employment All qualified candidates encouraged to apply. Open to U.S. Citizens but non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) – See “Additional Information” below for details. Qualifications 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. 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: 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: 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 Education Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html. Additional Information This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.