Physician Assistant - Urology (Incentive Offered)

Veterans Health Administration • Togus, ME

3d • Onsite

About The Position

Physician Assistants in Urology are members of the care delivery team and provide care to inpatients and outpatients, including emergency department patients, in inpatient and outpatient units, the emergency department, and operating room. Care is delivered face-to-face, virtually, and asynchronously, including through consult review and management. The position requires interdisciplinary collaboration and accountability for patient care, including care for patients with complex needs.

The Physician Assistant documents patient care in the Computerized Patient Record System and follows facility Medical Staff Bylaws. The role includes assessing patient and caregiver learning needs, developing and implementing care plans, providing instruction, and supporting discharge planning and continuity of care in collaboration with patients, caregivers, and the healthcare team. The position also involves outpatient team and community-resource coordination, case management, serving as first assistant in urological surgeries, performing outpatient procedures as training and competency allow, coordinating urology clinic rotations for PA students, participating in committees and in-service programs, and supporting other Surgical Service specialties as needed.

The regular schedule is Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Telework and virtual work are not authorized. The full performance level is PA-III; selection may be at PA-I, PA-II, or PA-III. The position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to program eligibility and approval. Approved awards may be up to $200,000, with an eligibility period of one to five years; applicants must submit an application within four months of appointment. Former EDRP participants are not eligible to apply.

Requirements

• Graduate from a Physician Assistant training program accredited by ARC-PA or a predecessor organization.
• Meet the education requirement with either a master's degree in any discipline, or a bachelor's degree in any discipline plus one year of PA experience.
• Successfully pass the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE).
• Hold an active, current, full, and unrestricted license to practice in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia, and maintain current state registration when required.
• Be a U.S. citizen, except that non-citizens may be appointed when recruiting qualified citizens is not possible under applicable law.
• Be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Meet the applicable PA grade requirements: PA-I requires no experience beyond the basic requirements; PA-II requires two years of successful PA practice, an eligible postgraduate PA residency, or a doctoral degree in a health-related field; PA-III requires three years of successful PA practice, or an eligible postgraduate residency plus one year of PA practice, or a health-related doctoral degree plus one year of PA practice.
• Meet pre-employment requirements, including applicable drug screening, background/security investigation, onboarding, and physical evaluation.
• Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Be able to stand and walk for prolonged periods and perform some standing, bending, and carrying of light items; the position also lists ability to drive a motor vehicle as a physical requirement.

Responsibilities

• Provide care to inpatients and outpatients, including emergency department patients, through face-to-face, virtual, and asynchronous encounters.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to meet the needs of patients with complex needs and take responsibility and accountability for patient-care actions.
• Document and report patient care using appropriate processes and the Computerized Patient Record System, including templates and narrative notes.
• Review and manage consults.
• Assess patient and caregiver learning needs, develop and implement care plans, and provide patient and family instruction.
• Develop individualized discharge plans with patients, caregivers, and the healthcare team to promote continuity of care.
• Engage the outpatient healthcare team and community resources as appropriate, and collaborate across disciplines and services to coordinate case management and resources.
• Serve as first assistant in the operating room for urological surgeries.
• Perform outpatient-based procedures as training and competency allow.
• Coordinate urology clinic rotations for Physician Assistant students.
• Participate in hospital committees and department and hospital in-service programs.
• Support other specialties within Surgical Service as necessary.
• Adhere to the facility's Medical Staff Bylaws.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to eligibility and approval, with awards up to $200,000 and an eligibility period of one to five years.
• Federal employee benefits package for eligible employees; specific benefits depend on position type and should be confirmed with the hiring agency.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level