Career Center

The Michael E Debakey VA Hospital is looking for a full-time Physician Assistant to provide care to veterans in our Primary Care Clinic/Women's Health. Incumbent will perform outpatient duties and management of scheduled and unscheduled patients, Monday through Friday, under the Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) model accountable for adhering to established policies and standards of care/standards of practice in evaluating, tracking, and following up on patient care. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Graduate of a training program which is accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education of PA (ARC-PA) or one of its predecessor organizations. Additionally, candidates must meet one of the following: (1) Master's degree in any discipline; OR (2) Bachelor's degree in any discipline with one year of experience as a PA. Must have successfully passed the PA National Certifying Exam (PANCE). PAs must possess an active, current, full, and unrestricted license to practice in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia. PAs must maintain current registration in the State of licensure if this is a requirement for continuing active and current licensure in that State. Exceptions for Graduate PAs. PAs who otherwise meet the basic requirements, but do not possess the required licensure, may be appointed, pending licensure, as a graduate PA on a temporary full-time appointment not-to-exceed two years under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2)(B). Graduate PAs may only be appointed at the entry grade level and may not be promoted/converted until certification is obtained. Temporary graduate PA appointments may not be extended beyond two years or converted to a new temporary appointment. NOTE: Individuals who have or have had multiple licenses and had any such license revoked for professional misconduct, professional incompetence or substandard care, or who surrendered such license after receiving written notice of potential termination of such license by the State for professional misconduct, professional incompetence, or substandard care, are not eligible for appointment to the position unless such revoked or surrendered license is fully restored (38 U.S.C. § 7402(f)). This requirement does not apply to licensed PAs currently employed by VA as of November 30, 1999, provided they maintain continuous appointment and are not disqualified for employment by any subsequent revocations or voluntary surrenders of State license, registration or certification. 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) Experience and Education. None beyond the basic requirements. This is the entry level for PAs. 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) 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. 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) 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. Preferred criteria: Performing initial medical histories/physical exams. Providing and coordinating comprehensive care Managing medical problems to include writing orders for medications for stable medical conditions and treating minor illness; ordering tests; adhering diets and over-the-counter medications and supplies; reviewing diagnostic tests; reports and consults. Observing and recording patient's medical progress, updating and summarizing medical records, and changing orders when appropriate. Write prescriptions in accordance with Federal and State law and as allowed by the Scope of Practice Acting on clinical reminders Performing medication reconciliation Carrying out health promotion and disease prevention activities Providing education and counseling of patients and families ["Incumbent will perform outpatient duties and management of scheduled and unscheduled patients, Monday through Friday, under the Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) model accountable for adhering to established policies and standards of care/standards of practice in evaluating, tracking, and following up on patient care. Duties include, but are not limited to for Physician Assistant: (1) Performing initial medical histories and physical examinations.\n(2) Providing and coordinating comprehensive care for assigned patients.\n(3) Managing medical problems to include writing orders for medications for stable medical conditions and treating minor illness; ordering laboratory tests; ordering imaging tests; adhering diets and over-the-counter medications and supplies; reviewing diagnostic tests; reports and consults.\n(4) Observing and recording patient's medical progress, updating and summarizing medical records, and changing orders when appropriate. Notifying the responsible Physician of significant changes in the patient's condition, in such cases there must be documentation of consultation with the supervising Physician. 'Notes and Orders' do not routinely have to be co-signed. The Nurse Practitioner/Physician Assistant may be delegated to document the discharge summary, but the supervising Physician must write the discharge note or co-sign the discharge summary.\n(5) Write prescriptions in accordance with Federal and State law and as allowed by the Scope of Practice\n(6) Acting on clinical reminders\n(7) Performing medication reconciliation\n(8) Carrying out health promotion and disease prevention activities, including education or patient, family, and staff.\n(9) Providing education and counseling of patients and families in preventive care, medical conditions, and the use of prescribed treatments and drugs. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; 8:00 AM to 4:30PM\nTelework: Not available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]