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This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. Learn more. 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:United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Education: Graduate of a Physician Assistant training program, or of a surgical assistant program which is accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) or one of its predecessor organizations: AND A Bachelor's degree from an accredited PA training program or in another health sciences related field from an accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Certification: Current and continuous certification by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) is required for employment in VHA. Recent PA graduates who are eligible to take the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE) may be employed by VA on a temporary basis (38 U.S.C. 7405), for a period not to exceed two years, as provided in VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section G, Paragraph 5. If a PA's NCCPA certification is suspended, revoked or expires, the PA must be removed from the occupation which may result in termination of employment. 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 work involves regular and recurring periods of walking, standing, sitting, bending, pulling, lifting, reaching and carrying. Manual dexterity is required to operate medical equipment and perform activities such as surgery, treatments and computerized medical record documentation. GRADE REQUIREMENTS. In addition to the basic requirements stated above, the following qualifications criteria must be met in determining the appropriate grade for appointment or promotion eligibility. Requirements for appointment or promotion to a specific grade are based on the candidate's ability to demonstrate the elements described. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-11 to GS-13 . Intermediate Grade. In addition to meeting the basic requirements, candidates must meet all requirements described in this standard for Full Grade through VA employment or non-VA PA positions with equivalent scope and complexity. Individuals appointed or advanced to Intermediate Grade will have demonstrated the ability to analyze and solve more complex medical problems and meet the following requirements:(1) Experience/Education(a) 1 year of professional practice as a PA; or(b) Successful completion of a PA post-graduate residency program accredited by ARC-PA or by the U.S. Armed Forces; or(c) A Master's degree from a PA training program certified by ARC-PA or in another health-related field from an accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Senior Grade. In addition to meeting the basic requirements, candidates must meet all requirements described in this standard for Intermediate Grade through VA employment or non-VA PA positions with equivalent scope and complexity. Individuals appointed or advanced to Senior Grade will have demonstrated the behaviors or responsibilities listed in one or more of the following categories: Clinical Proficiency, Education, Professional Development, Management/Administrative, and Research, as applicable to the assignment:(1) Experience/Education(a) 3 years of professional practice as a PA; or(b) 2 years of professional practice as a PA and successful completion of a PA post-graduate residency program accredited by ARC-PA or by the U.S. Armed Forces; or (c) 2 years of professional practice as a PA and a Master's degree from a PA training program certified by ARC-PA or in another health-related field from an accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education; or (d) A Doctoral degree in a health-related field from an accredited college or university recognized by the U. S. Department of Education.(2) Management/Administrative. One of the following responsibilities must be demonstrated:(a) Evaluates service level patient care delivery systems and validates or identifies barriers to safe, effective care. Presents findings and recommendations to appropriate management officials and participates in implementation of changes.(b) Manages patient quality management data bases such as the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) if assigned.(c) Serves on service or facility committees/task forces if applicable to the assignment.(d) Coordinates consult referrals within the service assigned.(e) Coordinates and facilitates inter-service agreements. Chief Grade. In addition to meeting the basic requirements, candidates must meet all requirements described in this standard for Senior Grade through VA employment or non-VA PA positions with equivalent scope and complexity. Appointment or promotion to Chief Grade is based on the individual's demonstrated high level of clinical expertise, leadership ability, and the ability to function with a high degree of autonomy. Further, the PA candidate for Chief Grade will have demonstrated all the requirements of one or more of the following categories: Management/Administrative, Clinical Proficiency, Professional Development and Research.(1) Experience/Education(a) Generally, an individual in this grade is able to demonstrate the behaviors listed in the areas below after 5 years of professional practice as a PA; and,(b) The minimum education for this grade is a Master's Degree from a PA training program accredited by ARC-PA or in a health-related field of study. However, experience as a PA may be substituted for the Master's degree where the individual has an equivalent knowledge of the profession and has successfully undertaken a combination of difficult or complex assignments in several clinical, administrative, research and educational arenas which required a high degree of competence.(2) Management/Administrative(a) Accepts substantial and continuing responsibility for managing or coordinating a healthcare program including follow-up actions to ensure compliance with regulatory bodies required by internal and external review organizations and accrediting bodies, and;(b) Successfully integrates the activities of the employee's assignment with other patient care programs at the facility or with similar programs on a broader geographic basis, and;(c) Develops policies and procedures and participates in executive level decision making deliberations, and;(d) Participates in long range program planning and model development for effective delivery of services, and;(e) Performs a full range of administrative duties relative to the assignment.(3) Clinical Competencies(a) Clinical Proficiency(1) Evaluates facility patient care delivery systems and validates or identifies barriers to safe, effective care. Presents findings and recommendations to appropriate management officials and participates in implementation of changes, and;(2) Exhibits leadership in initiating changes in patient care programs based on current concepts and findings from research and/or studies, and;(3) Facilitates the delivery of patient care in collaboration with health professionals, health managers and other health care personnel, and;(4) Exhibits exceptional clinical skills and consistently demonstrates a high level of expertise in diagnosing and treating seriously ill, multi-symptomatic patients ["The Physician Assistant (PA) for Orthopedic Surgery Telehub provides routine care and management of the patient with acute and chronic orthopedic complaints, in collaboration with the supervising physician and through implementation of standardized procedures. Works as a team with Orthopedic surgeons, nursing, technicians, primary care, administration, lab, pharmacy, dieticians, and ancillary staff on behalf of patient care. Major duties, include but are not limited to: 1.The Physician Assistant (PA) works collaboratively with Orthopedic Surgery telehub staff, and as needed with surgical facility staff throughout VISN 21. Possibility exists for working beyond the limits of VISN 21 depending on need and capacity.\n2. The PA will screen incoming consults, triage as needed, make initial patient contact, and will order and follow up any care coordination, images, tests, or referrals to surgical facilities as indicated.\n3. The PA will conduct orthopedic telemedicine visits (evaluation and treatment) with patients throughout the VISN and will be available for in-person clinic visits as needed for patients in the local area who need an in-person visit.\n4. The PA will work closely with the Ortho Telehub MDs to support and coordinate care as needed.\n5. The PA will be available for orthopedic tele-consultation with other care providers in VISN 21. Target response time will be one hour - working in coordination with other telehub staff.\n6. The PA will tele-present patients in the local clinic as needed to other orthopedic team members at other sites.\n7. In coordination with other Orthopedic Telehub staff, the PA will engage with staff at CBOCs throughout VISN 21 to educate on basic musculoskeletal care and maintain a CBOC orthopedic \"specialist\" who can perform basic orthopedic physical exams, present patients via telehealth platforms in the clinic, and be a local CBOC extension/contact of the orthopedic telehub.\n8. The PA will contribute to patient education about their musculoskeletal conditions.\n- Completes electronic encounter for each visit.\n- Conducts telephone clinics and responds to patient phone calls as appropriate.\n- Provides customer service appropriate to VA standards.\n- Refers the patient to other community based health care providers and agencies for provision of additional services considered necessary.\n- Coordinates and monitors the outcome of the referral and integrates any recommended treatment into the management plan.\n- Evaluates the process and outcomes of the management plan on an ongoing basis.\n- Arranges services such as outpatient physical therapy as indicated.\n- Able to perform orthopedic injections for patients who are seen in person.\n- Backs up the other telehub providers as needed.\n- Assesses and manages common non-operative orthopedic conditions.\n- Orders appropriate laboratory and imaging tests as indicated. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, Schedule to be determined\nTelework: Authorized\nVirtual: This is a virtual position.\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized\nEDRP Authorized: Position Eligible, Contact Susan.Bringel@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized\nFinancial Discloser Report: Not required Not Authorized"]