Summary The PA's duties and responsibilities will be at the direction of the Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery. The P.A. will be fully qualified and certified to function in both a clinical and administrative role and in accordance with the guidelines and policies of the facility. The individual is delegated the authority and responsibility to assume clinical, consultation, educational, research, and administrative duties and responsibilities related to the patients and staff of the Service. Responsibilities Duties include but are not limited to: Primary overall focus of practice is on the clinical management of health care to veterans assigned to the Thoracic Surgery service. Facilitates care of Thoracic patients as well as their entry and exit from various health care systems by establishing and maintaining liaison with a variety of surgical/medical specialists and associated staff. Ensures that all inpatient Thoracic Surgical consult requests are reviewed, examined, and completed within 24-48 hours. The incumbent will have a primary duty for managing Thoracic Surgery Clinic patients for initial clinic evaluations and for continuity of care from their surgical procedure. The incumbent will also have responsibilities for daily organization of surgical patients on the ward; assists the Thoracic Attending/Resident and Charge Nurse in the daily management for incoming and exiting patients. Obtains required imaging studies from outside facilities as needed and is the point of contact to Radiology Service regarding all absent imaging orders, incomplete/inaccurate imaging requests, and inappropriate requests. Provides assistance in the coordination of community requests when Thoracic cases require outside community services. Enhanced patient referral activities, such as bi-monthly communication with Pulmonary Medicine and Medical Oncology Services at the surrounding VISN 20 VA clinics and hospitals for expedited care of lung cancer patients. Selection of weekly Multidisciplinary Thoracic Tumor Board and Nodule Committee Conference patients from Thoracic Surgery and assure timely follow-up on all recommendations for those patients presented. Assist with clinical aspects of care to the patients of the sub-specialty departments assigned to the Thoracic Surgery Service. This includes performing evaluations, consultations, and the writing of orders. Perioperative/ Post operative management of thoracic patients in the ICU, acute care and outpatient setting and providing lung cancer surveillance management for post operative patients. The mid-level provider has the authority to order all tests and procedures necessary to evaluate and care for Thoracic Surgery patients. These evaluations and orders will fall within the guidelines of the VAMC. Initiates and accepts referrals to clinics and/or community agencies. Collaborates with other health care resources to insure timely and appropriate care of patients. This provider is a primary point of contact to ensure compliance in referring Thoracic patients to Anesthesia Service for preoperative evaluations. Ensures that all appropriate paperwork including History and Physical examination, Informed Consent, and Pre-Admission Screening forms are completed when referring patients to Anesthesia Service and resolves all pre-screening inquires. This provider is a primary point of contact for transfer requests from VA and community facilities for inpatient admissions. They coordinate compliance of transfer documents in receiving and transferring Thoracic patients. Experience in the clinical care of oncology patients is preferred. Assist in the Operating Room at the direction of the Chief of Thoracic Surgery. Previous experience in video-assisted or robotic surgery is preferred. Perform minor procedures, such as but not limited to tube thoracostomy, thoracentesis, wound vac management, within their realm of expertise and under the direction of the Chief of Thoracic Surgery and in accordance with the individuals Scope of Practice. Trains medical and other ancillary students or residents assigned to the Cardiothoracic Surgery service Other clinical duties as assigned by the Chief of Surgery or Administrative Officer. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized. Requirements Conditions of Employment All qualified candidates encouraged to apply. Open to U.S. Citizens but non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Qualifications 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. Physician Assistant Basic Requirements Master's degree in any discipline or a bachelor's degree in any discipline with one year of experience as a Physician Assistant ~AND~ Successfully passed the PA National Certifying Exam (PANCE) (or are you in the process to taking the exam) ~AND~ Currently hold, or will hold, a full and unrestricted license to practice in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States or in the District of Columbia. Preferred Experience: Experience as a surgical PA Experience in Operating Room Robotic surgery Bedside assistance. Grade Determinations: 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: Ability to utilize the principles of PA practice in the care of assigned patients to provide appropriate care. Ability to perform patient history and physical. Ability to formulate a plan and provide treatment to the patient. 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: Two 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. OR 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: Skills to analyze and solve complex medical problems. Ability to function autonomously and make independent medical decisions. Skill to incorporate training and experience into the successful practice of patient care including telehealth medical care. Ability to work effectively in an interdisciplinary environment for improvement of services for patient care. 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 multi-disciplinary 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: 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 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. 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: Ability to clinically evaluate facility patient care delivery systems and validate or identify barriers to safe and effective patient care. 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). Ability to present clinical findings and recommendations to appropriate management officials. Ability to clinically facilitate the delivery of patient care in collaboration with health professionals, health managers, and other health care personnel. 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. Ability to participate clinically in the development of the PA patient care audit processes involving in-depth review and analysis of medical records. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is PA-3. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of PA-1 to PA-3. Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting, 45 pounds and over, Moderate lifting, 15-44 pounds, Light lifting, under 15 pounds, Reaching above shoulders, Use of fingers, Both hands required, Walking, Repeated bending, Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4, Ability to distinguish basic colors, Ability to distinguish shades of colors, Mental and emotional stability. Education Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. 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. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.
