Physician Assistant (Cardiology)

The VA Atlanta Health Care System is recruiting for a full-time Physician Assistant (Cardiology) located in Specialty Care Service. The Physician Assistant will evaluate, treat and coordinate the care of patients, under the supervision of a staff physician.

Salary Range:
Physician Assistant-I (PA-I): $125,137 - $166,431
Physician Assistant-II (PA-II): $136,399 - $181,400
Physician Assistant-III (PA-III): $159,248 - $211,795

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.

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:

(1) 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:
  1. Ability to utilize the principles of PA practice in the care of assigned patients to provide appropriate care.
  2. Ability to perform patient history and physical.
  3. Ability to formulate a plan and provide treatment to the patient.
  4. Ability to provide patient care that is abreast of changing concepts and advancements in the profession.

(2) 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:
  1. Two years of successful practice as a PA. OR
  2. 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
  3. 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:]
  1. Skills to analyze and solve complex medical problems.
  2. Ability to function autonomously and make independent medical decisions.
  3. Skill to incorporate training and experience into the successful practice of patient care including telehealth medical care.
  4. Ability to work effectively in an interdisciplinary environment for improvement of services for patient care.
  5. Ability to practice with colleagues and peers collaboratively.

(3) 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:
  1. Three years of successful practice as a PA. OR
  2. 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
  3. 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:
  1. Ability to clinically evaluate facility patient care delivery systems and validate or identify barriers to safe and effective patient care.
  2. 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).
  3. Ability to present clinical findings and recommendations to appropriate management officials.
  4. Ability to clinically facilitate the delivery of patient care in collaboration with health professionals, health managers, and other health care personnel.
  5. 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.
  6. 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: Cardiovascular practice.

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 III. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of PA I to PA III.

Physical Requirements: This work is mostly sedentary and requires some standing, bending and carrying light items. The incumbent must have the ability to stand and walk for prolonged periods of time to interact with the patients and other services.

Responsibilities:

The Cardiology Physician Assistant is a position located in Specialty Care Service. The Physician Assistant reports directly to Section Chief of Cardiology. This position entails clinical and/or administrative responsibilities within Cardiology. Program activities are always evolving and may include programs as determined by facility leadership.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Performs initial histories and physical examinations.
• Provides ongoing outpatient and inpatient care for assigned patients as well as episodic patients.
• Screens and triage outpatients to determine further needs of care.
• Prescribes medications within defined scope of practice (including schedule II-V controlled substances). Writes orders and prescriptions as necessary for the care of the patient in accordance with Federal and State law.
• Orders diagnostic studies such as laboratory tests, and x-rays.
• Carries out health promotion and disease prevention activities.
• Orders, consult notes, procedure notes, progress notes, consultation requests and administrative letters which are written by the Physician Assistant will be clearly identified as such in the written and electronic medical records.
• Initiates and expedites requests for consultation and scheduling of special tests and studies.
• Makes interim summaries on progress notes of the patient's medical record.
• Provides education and counseling to patients and families for preventative care, medical conditions and use of prescribed treatment and drugs.
• Obtains informed consent for relevant Pulmonary procedures/therapies.
• Participates in Quality Assurance activities including Root Cause Analysis and Failure Mode Effect Analysis, tort claim review, etc.
• Participates in protected Peer Review and pertinent peer chart review activities.
• Participates in care line staff meetings, Specialty Care Team meetings and mandatory staff functions.
• Determines Veteran eligibility for procedures, and consent for procedures.
• Prepares patients for the procedure via appropriate testing, medical care, and consultations with other medical/surgical services.
• Coordinate the in-hospital care plans and performance of procedures with various physicians and nursing services, vendors, and administration.
• Provides in-hospital care, post-procedure care, counseling and coordinate follow-up appointments.
• Works with administrators and regulatory bodies to assure cardiovascular procedure program quality.
• Works closely with the Attendings and Fellows to provide recommendations and perform procedures on patients a consult placed.
• Appropriately hand off patient care.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Salary : $125,137 - $166,431