Physician Assistant

Duties

The Phoenix VA Health Care System is currently recruiting for a Physician Assistant to work in our Surgical Service, ICU Department. Under supervision of Surgery Program physicians, the Physician Assistant in Surgery plays a key role in management of critically ill patients hospitalized in the intensive care environment and on the wards. They will assess new consults in the clinic, emergency room, as well as provide care for established patients. Systematically evaluates current clinical practice; initiates change in clinical practice based on current concepts and findings from research and/or studies; demonstrates such expertise in patient care that advice is sought by others. PA performs as first or second assistant to the surgeon in charge. Assesses, plans, implements and evaluates patient care programs; consistently demonstrates expertise in diagnosing and treating seriously ill multi-symptomatic patients. They will also participate in surgical procedures under the supervision of staff surgeons. Incumbent provides direct intensive care for surgical patients, along with specialized responsibilities including, but not limited to:

• Make rounds with the respective surgical teams in the morning.
• Present the surgical team's daily goals during multidisciplinary rounds, serve as a liaison between the various specialty teams who have patients residing in the unit and the Intensivist, Surgical attendings and surgical teams.
• Surgery scheduling, initiating consults, ordering and interpreting lab results, x-rays and other imaging.
• Patient admission, ward care orders, provides inpatient care with recommendations from collaborating specialist.
• Works with social worker to place patients needing additional post-discharge placement.
• Discharges patient, provides follow-up care and appointments.
• Stands "on-call" status as determined by Surgical Services which includes night and weekend duties.
• Performs history and physicals for surgical patients.
• Screens surgical candidates for medical issues. Other duties will include assessment and management of patients in the outpatient clinic setting as well as participating in surgical procedures.

Tour of Duty: Not yet established but selectee will need to be flexible depending on needs of service. The schedule will be 5 days per week.

Compressed/Flexible schedule availability: No

Flexi-place (telework) availability: No

Relocation/PCS expenses are not authorized for this position.

Recruitment/Relocation incentive may be authorized.

EDRP may be available depending on facility funding.

Qualifications

• Education: (1) A bachelor's degree from a PA training certified by the ARC-PA; OR (2) Graduation from a PA training program of at least 12 months duration which is certified by the ARC-PA and a bachelor's degree in a health care occupation or a health-related science; OR (3) Graduation from a PA training program of at least 12 months duration which is certified by the ARC-PA and a period of progressively responsible health care experience such as an independent duty medical corpsman, licensed practical nurse, registered nurse, medical technologist, or medical technician. The duration of approved academic training and health care experience must total at least 5 years.
• Certification by the National Commission on Certification of Physician's Assistants (NCCPA).
• Proficient in spoken and written English.
• Background Investigation.
• Pre-employment physical medical examination.

The ideal candidate will possess the following:

• Master's Degree.
• 2 + years of specialized experience in ICU/Surgical Services.

GRADE DETERMINATIONS: Full Grade, GS-9: (1) Successful practice as a PA which demonstrates the abilities in subparagraphs (a) and (b) below. Generally, individuals meeting the education requirements can demonstrate these skills after approximately 2 years of practice as a PA. The complexity of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures which the candidate is capable of performing, as a result of experience as a PA, have expanded significantly beyond those required of employees meeting the minimum requirements for entry into the occupation. (a) Ability to work effectively with patients, families or significant others, with professional and supportive personnel who provide patient care, and with members of other services; and (b) Ability to provide effective care to patients; i.e. assesses, plans, implements, documents, evaluates patient care; manages care for assigned patients; initiates effective actions in emergencies; or (2) A Bachelor's degree from a PA training program which is certified by the ARC-PA and practice as a PA which demonstrates abilities such as those described in paragraph (1) above. Generally, individuals attaining the education level specified in this subparagraph can demonstrate the abilities described in subparagraphs (a) and (b) above after approximately 1 year of practice as a PA; or (3) Master's degree in a health care occupation or a health-related science and a baccalaureate degree from a PA training program which is certified by the ARC-PA; or (4) Master's degree from a PA training program which is certified by the ARC-PA.

Intermediate Grade, GS-11: (1) PA practice characterized by leadership in improving patient care; demonstrated ability to work effectively with others; and proficiency in one of the following four groups of behaviors. The PA is able to perform more complex diagnostic and therapeutic procedures than PAs at Full grade and seeks guidance from the supervising physician less frequently than PAs at lower grade levels and more readily identifies complex patient care situations where referral to the supervising physician is required. Generally, individuals meeting the education requirements can successfully demonstrate one of these groups of behaviors after approximately 4 years of practice: Clinical Skills, Managerial Skills, Instructional Skills or Research Skills; or (2) A bachelor's degree from a PA training program which is certified by the ARC-PA and practice as a PA which demonstrates behaviors such as those described in paragraph (1) above. Generally, an individual with the education in this paragraph can demonstrate these behaviors after approximately 3 years of practice as a PA; or (3) Master's degree in a health care occupation or a health-related science and a baccalaureate degree from a PA training program which is certified by the ARC-PA; and practice as a PA which demonstrates behaviors such as those described in paragraph (1) above. Generally, an individual with the education described in this paragraph can demonstrate these behaviors after approximately 2 years of practice as a PA; or (4) Master's degree from a PA training program certified by the ARC-PA; and practice as a PA which demonstrates behaviors such as those described in paragraph (1) above. Generally, an individual with the education described in this paragraph can demonstrate these behaviors after approximately 2 years of practice as a PA; or (5) Doctoral degree in a health care occupation or a health-related science and a baccalaureate or masters degree from a PA training program which is certified by the ARC-PA.

Senior Grade, GS-12: (1) Practice as a PA which demonstrates the behaviors described below. Generally, individuals with the education can demonstrate these behaviors after approximately 6 years of practice as a PA. (a) Working effectively with others on a consistent basis and establishing relationships with professional and/or other health care related groups in the community, and (b) Significant and sustained contributions to the PA profession which may include publication or publishable works, membership on task forces, intramural or extramural committees, consulting, development of educational media, scientific inquiry, or use of creative approaches to enhance quality of patient care and productivity of providers, and (c) Practice as a PA characterized by leadership and accomplishments in developing and implementing programs to improve the delivery of patient care, and by proficiency in one of the following areas: Clinical Practice, Administration, Education, Research; or (2) A Bachelor's degree from a PA training program certified by the CAAHP; and successful practice as a PA which demonstrates behaviors such as those in paragraph (1) above. Generally, an individual with the education in this paragraph can demonstrate these behaviors after approximately 5 years of practice as a PA; or (3) Master's degree in a health care occupation or a health-related science and a bachelor's degree from a PA training program certified by the CAAHP; and successful practice as a PA which demonstrates the behaviors such as those in paragraph (1) above. Generally, an individual with the education in this paragraph can demonstrate these after approximately 4 years of practice as a PA; or (4) Master's degree from a PA training program certified by the CAAHP; and successful practice as a PA which demonstrates the behaviors such as those in paragraph (1) above. Generally, an individual with the education described in this paragraph can demonstrate these behaviors after approximately 4 years of practice as a PA; or (5) Doctoral degree in a health care occupation or a health-related science and a bachelor's or masters degree from a PA training program certified by the CAAHP; and successful practice as a PA which demonstrates the behaviors such as those in paragraph (1) above. Generally, an individual with the education in this paragraph can demonstrate these behaviors after approximately 2 years of practice as a PA.

Chief Grade, GS-13: In addition to meeting the basic requirements listed above, candidates must meet all requirements described Senior Grade through VA employment or non-VA PA positions with equivalent scope and complexity. Appointment to Chief Grade is based on the individual's demonstrated high level of clinical expertise, leadership ability, and the ability to function with a high degree of autonomy. Further, the PA candidate for Chief Grade will have demonstrated all the requirements of one or more of the following categories: Management/Administrative, Clinical Proficiency, Professional Development and Research.

Education

PLEASE NOTE: Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications (particularly positions with a positive education requirement.) Therefore, applicants must report only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: All education claimed by applicants will be verified by the appointing agency accordingly. 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.