Physician Assistant

Franklin, North Carolina, North Carolina, Franklin CBOC Mental Health Service with the Charles George VAMC has an immediate availability for one (1) Physician Assistant. 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-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 i. 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 ii. 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. References: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-8 Physician Assistant Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. The full performance level of this vacancy is 02. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 01 to 02. Physical Requirements: VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service. [“Duties include but are not limited to the following: The psychiatry physician assistant (PA) is responsible for the care and administrative needs of mental health patients in both the inpatient and outpatient settings. The PA also functions as a coordinator between the attending physician and the other team members to include nurses and PMH NPs, psychologists, social workers, psychotherapists, LMFTs, LPCs, addiction therapists and other clinic personnel. The PA will also be directly responsible to the Outpatient or Inpatient Psychiatry Medical Director for all clinical and administrative duties.

he incumbent must be able to satisfactorily carry out any duty of Grade 2 Physician Assistant, and assigned duties as described herein. The Psychiatry PA will be responsible for the primary medical needs of inpatients and outpatients in the mental health clinics and wards. Duties will include, but are not limited to, the evaluation of current psychiatric and medical problems, administrative assistance, quality assurance and educational support as detailed below. The Scope of Practice detailing clinical responsibilities must be developed and will be updated consistent with VHA Directive 1063, Utilization of Physician Assistants. Provide medical care and evaluation for both psychiatry inpatients and outpatients in the mental health wards and/or outpatient clinics. These patients often have concomitant medical problems and are multi-symptomatic. The PA may perform the following duties: 1. Conduct initial psychiatric evaluations, including initial assessment interviews, history, and physical exams; lab, imaging, medication and psychotherapy consultation orders, aftercare plans and follow up visits. Following the initial evaluation, the PA will provide appropriate follow up care including reassessments of diagnoses and conditions, medication adjustments, and any further tests or consults indicated. 2.

Provide mental health education /counseling and brief therapy of patients and their families. 3. Primary responsibility for care of patients when the clinic medical director is absent. 4. Conduct ongoing follow up appointments for stable patients, including regular refills of medications, required lab and other tests and documenting progress. 5. Perform examinations and screening scales (such as AIMS, MoCA, HAM-D) and similar non-invasive examinations specific to the ongoing care of psychiatric patients 6. Ordering appropriate laboratory tests, imaging studies, EKGs (electrocardiograms), and similar noninvasive tests 7. Initiating and expediting consultation requests and scheduling special tests and studies 8. Drawing blood specimens for testing, and obtaining other body fluid samples requiring comparably low levels of invasiveness 9.

Making rounds for inpatients, and holding scheduled appointments for outpatients to observe and record patients’ medical progress, and notifying the collaborating physician of significant changes in patients’ condition 10. Mixing and starting IV (intravenous) solutions and administering IV medications 11. Dispensing medications (including injections) 12. Providing education and counseling of the patient and the patient’s family in preventive care, medical conditions, and the use of prescribed treatments and medications 13. Performing preventive health activities (including intradermal testing) 14. Ordering appropriate prosthetic devices and medical equipment 15. Recording notes on all procedures performed for which the PA is responsible 16. Initiating ECT or TMS work up and scheduling 17. Ordering diets 18. Case management 19.

Conducting educational groups 20. Perform treatment planning in an outpatient or inpatient setting. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. Work Schedule: Monday – Friday, 8:00am- 4:30pm Compressed/Flexible: Not available Telework: AdHoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be authorized for highly qualified candidates EDRP Authorized: Contact Onnie. green@va. gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.

Financial Disclosure Report: Not required”]

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