Career Center

This position is located at James A. Haley VA Hospital located in Tampa, Florida. The Physician Assistant Geriatric (GECS) Float is a rotating position to cover shortages in all sections of GECS. This position includes coverage for Geriatric Outpatient Section (GeriPACT, PDC clinic, Geriatric consultation clinic, Outpatient palliative care clinic), Community Living Center, Hospice and Palliative Care Unit, and Home Base Primary Care Section (HBPC). 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: 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).] 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. 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. 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. 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. 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)). English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). 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. Physician Assistant-I (PA-I) a) Experience and Education. None beyond the basic requirements 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: 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. 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 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: 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). ii. 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: Preferred 3-5 years' experience in Geriatrics, Home Care, Primary Care and/or Hospice/Palliative Care References: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-8 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. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service. Determined by the position. ["The Physician Assistant GECS Float will establishes and maintain duties to assist with coverage of panels in all James A. Haley VA Hospital GECS patient areas when absences occur, allowing the program to function fully without delay of services to a patient population that is vulnerable and in their final phase of life. The position assignment in Home Base Primary Care Section (HBPC) covers all 6 counties under Tampa VA catchment area and for all other sections is in Building 30 (HCCLC) on the main campus. Physician Assistant duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Obtaining medical histories and performing physical examinations. Providing and coordinating medical care for assigned patients, including establishing diagnoses, formulating and implementing care plans, and providing follow-up care. Evaluating outpatients to determine the need for further health care. Ordering laboratory specimens, diagnostic studies with or without contrast and other specialized testing Ordering ancillary services, such as, pharmacy, social services, physical medicine and rehabilitation therapies, prosthetic services, etc Ordering VA specialty service consults and initiating requests for non-VA medical care and consults in accordance with VHA and local facility policy and procedures. Writing orders for or prescribing medications for patients under their care Ordering vitals and other nursing orders per protocol, ordering Foley catheters, activity levels, dietary orders and intravenous fluid orders Providing education and counseling of patients and families in preventive care, medical conditions, and the use of prescribed treatments and drugs Perform certain minor surgical/therapeutic procedures including but not limited to: suturing/closure of lacerations, removal of sutures and staples, obtaining biopsies, incision and drainage of abscess or superficial thrombosis, skin and soft tissue biopsies, removal or exchange of indwelling drains or tubes, insertion or removal of peripheral venous or arterial catheters, removal of central venous catheters, wound debridement/cultures/VAC dressing application and changes, nitrogen skin applications, insertion and irrigation of Foley catheters, insertion and irrigation of nasogastric tubes, administration of local and topical anesthesia. Assisting on procedures in the operating room or invasive procedure area as directed by the primary attending on the case. Perform outpatient ambulatory procedures in minor office procedure suite under local anesthesia as directed by the primary attending on the case. Work Schedule: Tour of duty depends on the section the float is covering at the time and can vary (Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm or Friday-Tuesday 8:00am-4:30pm). Telework: Not Authorized\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized\nEDRP Authorized: Contact Monique.Armendariz@va.gov or Carey.Mosley@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]