Career Center

The Occupational Health (OH) PA is responsible for the administrative management and clinical operation at the West Palm Beach VA and all associated clinics. The PA will ensure Medical Center policies are consistent with VHA policy and directives. Making determinations of medical clearances, providing advice to protect employees against health and safety hazards , assist employees in attaining personal health and provide rehabilitative services that will ensure timely return of employees . 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. 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. (a) 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). (b) Graduate PAs may only be appointed at the entry grade level and may not be promoted/converted until certification is obtained. (c) 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: (1) 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. (2) 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. (3) 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 Handbook 5005/134, Part II, Appendix G8, Physician Assistant Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. Physical Requirements: The Physical requirements of this position include the following tasks which may be performed intermittently: lifting of up to 10 lbs., sitting 4 hours, standing 2 hours, walking 2 hours, bending/stooping 1 hour, twisting 1/2 hour, simple grasping 4 hours, fine manipulation 6 hours, reaching above the shoulder 1/2 hour, and operating machinery 1/2 hour. ["The Physician Assistant Duties include but are not limited to. The primary practice setting for this role is Employee Occupational Health. Must be able to demonstrate leadership in delivering and improving holistic are through collaborative strategies with others. The practice of this position is based on knowledge, experience, and research and has a direct impact on patient care and patient safety in the assigned areas. Is responsible for clinical care, administration, health promotion, disease and injury prevention, education and research. Accountable for the management of population groups or programs within the medical center to optimize employee health and wellbeing, employee safety and operational efficiency. The incumbent will work in close collaboration with Human Resources. Includes coordination/participation in medical screening, surveillance and infection control related to Occupational Health Programs including data management and reporting. The Occupational Health Physician Assistant is responsible for delivering care in the workplace focused on employee health and safety programs which ensures delivery of quality care provided to adult and geriatric staff, volunteers and veterans and their significant others. Serves as a Case Manager and liaison between injured employees and private physicians/specialists, both duty and non-duty related that promotes optimum healing and rapid return to work with modified work programs. Possesses the knowledge and skills to effectively apply all aspects of the nursing process within a collaborative, interdisciplinary practice setting to facilitate the effective care of patients. Facilitates a large variety of employee health initiatives both independently as well as collaboratively with colleagues. Responsible for tracking and presenting a vast variety of data to local leadership, VISN leadership and national leadership. Examples: Employee influenza vaccinations and employee COVID cases. Through his/her well-developed clinical experience can anticipate and implement preventive patient/employee care measures. Responsible for direct patient/employee care within Employee Occupational Health and facilitating the appropriate plan of care. Possess strong clinical skills. Occupational Health Physician Assistant provides face to face/ telephone triage and acts upon the assessments. Is proficient in collecting data and utilizing technology and various applications to store and share data. As appropriate, provides guidance to all caregivers and collaborates with managers and supervisors regarding the plan of care and educational requirements as indicated to support patient/employee needs. Reports status of service needs and contributes to problem resolution and modification of processes as necessary. Participates in services and medical center's committees and task forces as required. Serves as a clinical preceptor for students as requested. Provides health teaching to patients, employees and families and assists patients and employees to become responsible for their own health care through education Responsible and accountable for maintaining training required and may be assigned additional duties that reflect the educational, experiential and competency requirements. Orders diagnostic tests, medications, laboratory tests as medically relevant for each patient. Evaluates and Treats patients in Fast Track when asked. The Occupational Health Physician Assistant is professionally and clinically responsible to the Chief, Emergency Department. His/her work is reviewed for technical adequacy and conformance to policies, procedures, and practices. The incumbent consults with the supervising physician regarding complex or unusual situations. Preferred Experience: 1-3 years of clinical experience evaluating and treating patients in outpatient setting after Physician Assistant training and certification. Prior experience working in Occupational Health for one or more years. Knowledge and clinical experience one or more years of Urgent Care/Fast Track. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:30 am - 4:00pm, Occasional weekend or holiday as per hospital needs, No nights\nCompressed/Flexible: Not Available\nTelework: Not Available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Available\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Available\nPCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Available\nFinancial Discloser Report: Not required"]