Summary

The Emergency Department (ED) Physician Assistant (PA) is accountable to the Chief of the ED and ED Service and is responsible for providing the most effective delivery of outpatient care while meeting and exceeding compliance standards. The ED PA has responsibility for providing a complete range of medical care to patients including examination and treatment of a variety of general medical problems in compliance with The Joint Commission (TJC) accreditation standards.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position - you must meet the basic requirements as well as any additional requirements (if applicable) listed in the job announcement. Applicants pending the completion of training or license requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Currently employed physician(s) in VA who met the requirements for appointment under the previous qualification standard at the time of their initial appointment are deemed to have met the basic requirements of the occupation.

Basic Requirements:

• a
• Citizenship
• Citizen of the United States [in accordance with section 7402(c) to title 38 - United States Code (U.S.C.)
• Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified candidates in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a).] b
• Education
• 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
• c
• Certification
• Must have successfully passed the PA National Certifying Exam (PANCE)
• NOTE: Current and continuous certification by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) is no longer required for employment in VHA
• GRADE REQUIREMENTS
• a
• General
• (1) Recency and Quality of Experience
• Recency or quality of training and experience as a PA should be carefully reviewed when determining the appropriate grade
• To be creditable - experience must demonstrate possession of knowledge - 4 skills and abilities related to the current practice of a PA
• The importance of specific types of experience or training may vary per the intended assignment
• (2) Grades
• The level of PA practice may be performed based on a combination of education and experience
• Beyond the minimum education requirements - grade determination upon appointment - and advancement is dependent more on acquired knowledge - skills - and abilities than baseline education
• As the PA acquires the knowledge and judgment that accrues with experience - the privilege of increased authority for patient care maybe expanded
• (3) Research
• At any grade - PAs may assist in or conduct approved research projects relative to PA care that enhances their knowledge and skills in the profession
• Grade Determination
• 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
• Preferred Experience: Emergency Department or Urgent Care experience
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: Lifting up to 35 pounds - intermittently
• moderate carrying (15-35 pounds) - intermittently
• lifting over 35 pounds with assistive devices in accordance with the Safe Patient Handling Policy except in emergent situations requiring prompt patient care
• pulling - intermittently
• pushing - intermittently
• reaching above the shoulders - intermittently - both hands required
• walking - intermittently
• standing - intermittently
• kneeling - intermittently
• and repeated bending.

Duties

• Martinsburg VA Medical Center - part of the VA Capitol Health Care Network (VISN 5) - offers a comprehensive range of services - including internal medicine - ambulatory surgery - audiology and speech pathology - dental - nursing home - nutrition - podiatry - prosthetics - women's health - mental health and rehabilitation medicine
• Patient care is provided through an integrated primary care concept - and each veteran is assigned to a team of health care providers that follows the patient's care both as an inpatient and an outpatient
• It is the mission of the Medical Center to honor America's Veterans as heroes by providing the highest quality health care
• The employees of the Martinsburg VAMC are dedicated to improving the quality of life for eligible veterans through excellent health care
• This position will be located at Martinsburg VAMC - WV and will report directly to the Chief of Emergency Department
• Evaluate and treat the following body systems: skin - eye - ear - nose - throat - cardiovascular - respiratory - digestive - urologic - reproductive - nervous - endocrine - musculoskeletal and hematology
• Assess initial and ongoing patient medical - physical and psychosocial status
• Obtain and document a comprehensive medical and psychological history and physical examination
• Order appropriate diagnostic tests
• Review and interpret laboratory results and take appropriate action
• Formulate and record diagnostic impressions
• Refer patients to consultations with specialty clinics
• Provide medical advice to patients - families and community health providers by telephone
• Document patient care in the electronic health record within the prescribed time limits
• Attend medical center and community meetings - seminars - and conferences
• Follow processes established by the Chief of the ED - guidelines - MCM - and policies of VHA and facility
• Other duties as assigned
• VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package
• VHA Physician Total Rewards
• Pay: Competitive salary - annual performance bonus - regular salary increases Paid Time Off: 50-55 days of paid time off per year (26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year and possible 5 day paid absence for CME) Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Licensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory CME: Possible $1 -000 per year reimbursement (must be full-time with board certification) Malpractice: Free liability protection with tail coverage provided Contract: No Physician Employment Contract and no significant restriction on moonlighting Work Schedule: 3:30 pm to 12:00 am - Monday to Friday with flexibility to work day shift during weekend - holidays per service needs
• Martinsburg VAMC's local area: Just a little over an hour west of Washington DC - Martinsburg lies on Interstate 81 - where rivers meet mountains and history happens - Martinsburg is the perfect getaway and gateway to explore your passions
• The city is one of the fastest growing in the state
• In 2019 - the estimated population was 17 -454 - making it the largest city in the Eastern Panhandle and eighth largest city in West Virginia
• Martinsburg continues to be the focus of the business area of Berkeley County
• Many of Martinsburg's historic and architecturally important buildings were included in seven historic districts placed on the National Register of Historic Places
• Amazing eats - unique local shops - charming downtown culture - captivating history - breathtaking outdoors - and much more
• Sitting right in the middle West Virginia's beautiful Eastern Panhandle - Martinsburg truly is at the heart of it all!