Physician Assistant

Altoona, Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania, This position is located in the Primary Care Service at the James E. Van Zandt VA Medical Center, a secondary care facility with 30 acute beds and a 30 bed Nursing Home Care Unit, and three Community Based Outpatient Clinics. The duties and responsibilities are delivered throughout the medical center including all clinical and other patient care areas involved with the service. 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: 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: 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. 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. 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. 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. Physical Requirements: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5019 [“VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. The Compensation & Pension (C&P) Physician Assistant is accountable to the Chief, Primary Care Service. Given the volume and complexity of medical problems found in the population of veterans using VA facilities, adequate supervision of nurse practitioners and physicians assistants is necessary to ensure proper decision making towards the goal of optimal patient outcome. All information is entered into the Computer Patient Record System (CPRS) by this Provider. He/She will strive to accomplish the set goals for primary care and women’s health as outlined for this facility. He/she will strive to consistently meet all of the performance measures for primary care. Initiates projects to improve organization performance Uses professional standards of care and practice to evaluate programs and/or service activities. provides expert knowledge and guidance in acre coordination Implements an educational plan to meet changing program or service needs for self and others. Maintains knowledge of current techniques, trends, and professional issues.

Coaches colleagues in team building. makes sustained contributions to health care by sharing within and/or outside the medical center. Facilitates discussion and problem solving on facility and ad hoc committees Collaborates with other health professionals to ensure comprehensiveness and continuity of health care for patient care planning Establishes and maintains a network of women health extenders within the Veterans Administration and community for the purpose of sharing ideas, problem solving and improving the practice of women’s health and primary care. Provides Leadership in identifying and addressing ethical issues that impact clients and staff, including initiating and participating in ethical consultations. Uses the group process to identify, analyze, and resolve care problems. Collaborates with others in research activities to improve care, manages program resources (financial, human, material, or informational) to facilitate safe, effective and efficient care. Work Schedule: M-F, 8AM to 4:30PM Compressed/Flexible: Not Authorized Telework: : Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required”]

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