Physician Assistant (Psychiatry)

Company: Veterans Health Administration
Location: Erie
Posted on: April 9, 2021

Job Description:

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.
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
Basic Requirements:
1. US Citizenship 2. Education. The candidate must meet the following: Graduate of a PA training program, or of a surgical assistant program which is accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) or one of its predecessor organizations; and a Bachelor's degree from an accredited PA training program or in another health sciences related field from an accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. 3. Certification: Must have successfully passed the PA National Certifying Exam (PANCE). a. Recent PA graduates who are eligible to take the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE) may be employed by VA on a temporary basis (38 U.S.C. 7405), for a period not to exceed two years. 4. 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. Grade Determinations:
Full Grade. In addition to meeting the basic requirements, individuals appointed to this grade must meet all the following requirements:
Clinical Proficiency: Provides effective care to patients characterized by the use of sound judgment in assessing, planning, implementing, documenting, and evaluating patient care for assigned patients. This includes possessing the skill and competency to obtain thorough medical histories, perform comprehensive physical examinations, order appropriate diagnostic studies, interpret and analyze medical data, establish diagnoses, formulate and implement treatment plans, and modify treatment plans when appropriate; works effectively and makes appropriate requests for assistance from the assigned physician and recognizes complex patient care situations where referral is appropriate; references quality improvement information and organizes patient care needs to assure safe, efficient and cost-effective care; initiates effective actions in emergencies.
Professional Development: Obtains additional knowledge and skills appropriate to the practice setting to improve performance and provides patient education in an effective manner.
Ethics. Safeguards patient privacy and confidentiality. Provides care in a nonjudgmental, non-discriminatory manner respecting the patient's values and beliefs.
Interpersonal Skills: Works effectively with patients, families, caregivers, and other professional and support personnel.
Research: Demonstrates awareness of research application to practice and researches medical literature and applies evidenced-based medicine to improve clinical practice.
Intermediate Grade. In addition to meeting the basic requirements above, candidates must meet all requirements described in this standard for Full Grade. Individuals appointed or advanced to Intermediate Grade will have demonstrated the ability to analyze and solve more complex medical problems and meet the following requirements and all clinical competencies:
Experience / Education: 1 year of professional practice as a PA; OR successful completion of a PA post-graduate residency program accredited by ARC-PA or by the U.S. Armed Forces; OR a Master's degree from a PA training program certified by ARC-PA or in another health-related field from an accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Senior Grade. In addition to meeting the basic requirements above, candidates must meet all requirements described in this standard for Intermediate Grade. Individuals appointed or advanced to Senior Grade will have demonstrated the behaviors or responsibilities listed in one or more of the following categories: Clinical Proficiency, Education, Professional Development, Management/Administrative, and Research, as applicable to the assignment
Experience / Education: 3 years of professional practice as a PA; OR 2 years of professional practice as a PA and successful completion of a PA post-graduate residency program accredited by ARC-PA or by the U.S. Armed Forces; OR 2 years of professional practice as a PA and a Master's degree from a PA training program certified by ARC-PA or in another health-related field from an accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education; OR a Doctoral degree in a health-related field from an accredited college or university recognized by the U. S. Department of Education. AND Management/Administrative. One of the following responsibilities must be demonstrated:
a. Evaluates service level patient care delivery systems and validates or identifies barriers to safe, effective care. Presents findings and recommendations to appropriate management officials and participates in implementation of changes.
b. Manages patient quality management data bases such as the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) if assigned.
c. Serves on service or facility committees/task forces if applicable to the assignment.
d. Coordinates consult referrals within the service assigned.
e. Coordinates and facilitates inter-service agreements. AND All clinical competencies.
Chief Grade. In addition to meeting the basic requirements above, candidates must meet all requirements described in this standard for Senior Grade. Appointment or promotion 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.
Experience / Education: Generally, an individual in this grade is able to demonstrate the behaviors listed in the areas below after 5 years of professional practice as a PA; and, the minimum education for this grade is a Master's Degree from a PA training program accredited by ARC-PA or in a health-related field of study. However, experience as a PA may be substituted for the Master's degree where the individual has an equivalent knowledge of the profession and has successfully undertaken a combination of difficult or complex assignments in several clinical, administrative, research and educational arenas which required a high degree of competence. AND Management/Administrative: Accepts substantial and continuing responsibility for managing or coordinating a healthcare program including follow-up actions to ensure compliance with regulatory bodies required by internal and external review organizations and accrediting bodies, and; successfully integrates the activities of the employee's assignment with other patient care programs at the facility or with similar programs on a broader geographic basis, and, develops policies and procedures and participates in executive level decision making deliberations, and; participates in long range program planning and model development for effective delivery of services, and; performs a full range of administrative duties relative to the assignment. AND all clinical competencies.
Preferred Experience: Psychiatry experience
References: VA Handbook 5005 Part II, Appendix G8 Physician Assistant Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office.
Physical Requirements: Physical demands include repetitive body movements including the following: frequent reaching, standing, and walking.

Keywords: Veterans Health Administration, Erie , Physician Assistant (Psychiatry), Healthcare , Erie, Pennsylvania