[Hiring] Physician Assistant - National TeleOncology @Durham VA Medical Center

Role Description

The Physician Assistant for the National TeleOncology Program based out of Durham VA Medical Center will be fully qualified and certified to function in both a clinical and administrative role according to the guidelines and policies of the Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Center. This individual is delegated the authority and responsibility to assume clinical, consultative, educational, research, and administrative duties and assignments related to the care of patients.

Responsibilities

• Participates as a vital member of the patient care team, formulating treatment plans and monitoring patient progress.
• Utilizes and promotes approved standards of care, procedures, methods, techniques, safety precautions, and protocols in their application to patients.
• Collaborates with other medical center health care resources to ensure continuity of care.
• Stays current on the latest trends, skills, procedures, equipment, and protocols relevant to patient care.
• Facilitates patient care and entry and exit from various health care systems by establishing and maintaining liaison with medical specialists and associated staff.
• Coordinates discharge planning.
• Other clinical duties as assigned by the supervising physician.
• Promotes and participates in delivering patient and family health care education.
• Attends conferences and committee meetings as assigned by the supervising physician.

Work Schedule

• Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm
• Telework: Not Available
• Virtual: This is a virtual position.
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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.
• Master's degree in any discipline or a bachelor's degree in any discipline with one year of experience as a Physician Assistant.
• Successfully passed the PA National Certifying Exam (PANCE) (or are in the process of taking the exam).
• 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.

Requirements

• 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 (KSAs):
  • 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:
  • Two years of successful practice as a PA.
  • 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.
  • 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):
  • 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:
  • Three years of successful practice as a PA.
  • 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.
  • 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 (KSAs):
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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:
  • 1+ years of breast cancer and/or 1+ yr high risk breast cancer experience.
  • 1+ yr oncology experience.
  • American Society of Breast Surgeon's APP certification.

Physical Requirements

• This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing; clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity.
• This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing.
• Transferring patients and objects may be required. Mechanical inpatient lifts are provided.
• The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations, operative/invasive procedures, or home settings.
• The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders.
• The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs.
• Must complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as annual TB screening or testing, as a condition of employment.