Job Summary

The Mental Health Service Line provides care in several psychiatric settings: inpatient units, ambulatory programs, residential program for substance abuse, residential program for PTSD, emergency department, medical-surgical ward psychiatric consultation and geriatrics with extended programs. Physician Assistants assigned to the Mental Health Service Line are expected to provide Mental Health care in those settings as required.

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. Qualifications: The Physician Assistant (PA) must meet the following minimum threshold criteria and be certified by the National Commission of Certification of Physician's Assistants (unless continuously employed by VA since March 11, 1993): Physician Assistant Basic Requirements Basic Education: Graduation from a PA training program which is certified by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education of the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) or one of its predecessor organizations. Additionally, PA 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; AND Board certification: Initial board certification by the National Commission of Certification of Physician's Assistants (PANCE) AND 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. 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: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. 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: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. 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: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: Mental Health Drug Testing Position: In accordance with criteria contained in Executive Order 12564, this position has been determined as "sensitive" for drug testing purposes. VA employees in positions involving law enforcement, national security, the protection of life and property, public health or safety, or other functions requiring a high degree of trust and confidence, will be designated as subject to drug testing. Reference: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-2 Physician Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. Physical Requirements: Bending, pushing, pulling, reaching and occasional kneeling, crawling and squatting; lifting, carrying, bending, and manipulation of equipment; patient assistance and positioning; walking and prolonged standing; the ability to read written orders, computer screens, patient records, and equipment controls; and the ability to communicate with patients, physicians, and coworkers. Near visual acuity to assess patient's physical condition when performing exams, and evaluating images for diagnostic quality. Must be able to speak and hear to communicate with patients; ability to make critical decisions, interact with patients of different ages and health conditions, maintain patient confidentiality, work under stressful conditions, such as operating or emergency rooms.