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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. Learn more Physician Assistant 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. Education: The candidate must meet the following: 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 Physician Assistant Certification: Must have successfully passed the PA National Certifying Exam (PANCE). Licensure: 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. Physical Standards: As described below and per VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Part II, Appendix A. English Language Proficiency: PAs appointed to direct patient-care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d). Preferred Experience: National Certification as a Family or Adult PA Experience in PA education and training Experience with Veterans Affairs or DOD Experience in a Primary Care setting within the past three (3) years that includes routine female gender-specific care 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: 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 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 G8, Physician Assistant Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resource Office. Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting, 15-44 pounds, Light lifting, under 15 pounds, Light carrying, under 15 pounds, reaching above shoulder, Use of fingers, both hands required, Standing (4-6 hours), both legs required. The full performance level of this vacancy is PA-III. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of PA-I to PA-III. ["Primary Care Float Physicians Assistants are responsible for providing Comprehensive Primary Care for Veterans and will be expected to cover at any of the primary care clinics in the greater San Antonio area. The South Texas Veterans Health Care system provides primary care services to patients assigned to a panel of Veteran patients in a patient-centered, healthcare team approach call Patient aligned Care Teams (PACT), which emphasis on improving health outcomes through a system of care management and coordination. The PACT Model is a patient-driven, team-based approach that delivers efficient, comprehensive and continuous care through active communication and coordination of healthcare services through an interdisciplinary team that includes the PCP, RN care manager, LVN, clerical associate as well as other clinical services necessary to meet the health goals and needs of the Veteran Patient including specialist. While the primary care provider's relationship with the Veteran patient will remain key, that bond will augment and strengthened by involving other health care staff as part of an integrated team. Together the team takes responsibility of the Veteran patient's ongoing care through a cooperative effort among all members. As a member of the team, the Veteran patient is an active participant in decisions while being provided information and encouragement to exercise ownership of his/her individual needs. Alternative or collateral duties may include management of a subsection or primary care patients, the subsection may be defined either by a disease status, or demographic status (e.g., women Veterans, OIF/OEF Veterans, employees, etc.) Typically, these duties are designated at the time of joining but occasionally during employment, participation in special projects pertinent to assigned section may be necessary as the projects become available through strategic or other initiatives. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday (8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.)\nWork Schedule Statement: May be required to work other shifts, be on call, work weekends and/or holidays as patient care and needs of the service require. Should operationally needs dictate, candidates must be willing to work within other units (including community-based outpatient clinics, for example) to assist and support continuation of the provision of care/services.\nTelework: Not Available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized\nEDRP Authorized: Contact VISN17EDRP2@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized\nBargaining Unit Status: This position is part of the bargaining unit.\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]