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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. 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: At least 1-year clinical experience. Experience in telehealth (telephone and VVC). Experience in screening consults and performing inpatient consults. Experience in processing community care requests. Experience in care coordination with CLC, Social Work, Medical Oncology, Surgical subspecialties, Nutrition and Mental Health Experience in teaching medical students and residents. Experience in administration/supervising a clinic. Experience with cancer and/or radiation patients. Grade Determinations: 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. 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: This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. Mechanical inpatient lifts are provided. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations, operative/invasive procedures, or home settings. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients 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 patient needs. Must complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as annual TB screening or testing, as a condition of employment. The incumbent who provides care in home settings or other off-site locations may be required to drive and/or ride in GSA-vehicles. ["VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. This vacancy is for a Physician Assistant (Radiotherapy) in the Diagnostic and Therapeutic Care Line at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center. The Radiotherapy Physician Assistant functions as a practitioner, role model, change agent, innovator, teacher, researcher, and consultant to contribute to the development and management of complex oncology patient care in clinical areas and across services in the organization served. The position is highly administrative in nature. Requires excellent telephonic communication skills and customer service with Veterans and their families. Experienced with VA Video Connect (VVC) to provide telecare to veterans. Responsible for collecting outside medical records, ordering any essential test and scans, and preparing electronic chart for the radiation oncologist prior to initial doctors visit. Duties include, but are not limited to: Coordinates radiation oncology and multidisciplinary staff in the delivery of complex outpatient and inpatient care including patient evaluation, performing or arranging for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, triage to appropriate care settings, scheduling patients for radiation treatment, and gathering baseline and follow up data. Provides teaching to patients, residents, medical students and family as needed. Serves as consultant to multidisciplinary staff in initiating and implementing problem solving strategies for patients with complex care plans. Functions as a stable point of contact for the cancer patient at any stage in the cancer process. Provides direct patient care in the outpatient radiation oncology clinics, performing history and physical exams under the supervision of an attending physician and assisting in developing and implementing treatment plans. Makes appropriate assessments and referrals as needed to meet the unique needs of this specialized patient population. Facilitates consultations, and participates in the care of patients seen in radiation oncology clinics and provides follow up care. Participates in the Cancer Care Committee, Tumor Boards, Continuous Quality Improvement Committee and multidisciplinary patient conferences. Collaborates with physicians, nurses, psychologists, social workers, pharmacists, dieticians, chaplains, and cancer program staff to ensure that the multidisciplinary needs of the cancer patient are met. Participate and develop the Radiation Oncology Survivorship Clinic (currently only seeing Prostate Cancer patients) Documenting a treatment summary (the collaborating physician must write a discharge note, or cosign the discharge summary in accordance with Joint Commission standards), obtaining consent for and documenting procedures performed by the applicant. Performing administrative duties; educating healthcare trainees; participation in clinical research Sign death certificates per state policy. Perform emergency duties carried out for patients in life-threatening situations where a physician is not immediately available. The PA initiates these activities, but makes every effort to summon a physician or emergency medical personnel as soon possible. Emergency preparedness (e.g., duties that may arise because of national health disasters). Counsel patients and their families on LST options, document discussions, and sign LST orders to include, but not limited to, DNAR/DNR. Receives, triages, and provides disposition of consults for their respective service. May serve as proctor if PA has proven competency in procedure they are proctoring. Physician Assistant is required to complete the Radiation Safety Training annually. Work Schedule: Full time; 8 AM - 4:30 PM Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized EDRP Authorized: Contact Demetrius.Roberts@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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