Physician Assistant- Cardiology

Veterans Health Administration•Pittsburgh, PA

15h•Onsite

About The Position

The Certified Physician Assistant practices in the Cardiology Service at the University Drive Campus, providing evidence-based care that emphasizes quality, timeliness, and the Veterans Affairs mission. Working with a Physician Cardiologist and an interdisciplinary team, the PA cares for patients with acute and chronic cardiovascular conditions, promotes health and disease prevention, and develops individualized plans to support optimal outcomes. The position covers General Cardiology, Heart Failure, and Arrhythmia care in inpatient and outpatient settings, within the provider’s education, training, experience, and approved privileges. The PA evaluates and treats patients, orders and interprets laboratory tests and diagnostic studies, prescribes pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions, makes referrals, and adjusts care plans as needed. Duties include consultations and triage, History and Physicals, telephone and in-person clinics, telemedicine visits, follow-up and patient education, and coordination with physicians and specialty services. The PA also rounds with cardiac surgery on post-TAVR and Structural Heart patients, supports discharge planning and follow-up, assists with cardiac rehabilitation acute events, enters data in the VA VART-CL registry, and participates in cardiac stress testing with Cardiologist supervision when needed. Heart Failure responsibilities include monitoring response to therapy, arranging timely advanced-therapy referrals, managing outpatient inotropes, reviewing home telehealth notes, initiating goals-of-care discussions, and coordinating with palliative care for end-stage heart failure. The PA reinforces education on diet, fluid intake, weights, vital signs, laboratory monitoring, medications, and symptoms of worsening heart failure. The role also includes secure-message and telephone responses to veterans, precepting and assisting with training learners, and providing coverage across Cardiology subspecialties and designated VAPHS campuses and satellite clinics. The work schedule is 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with occasional weekend requirements. Telework is not available, and the position is not virtual. Relocation and recruitment incentives and permanent change of station are not authorized.

Requirements

Master’s degree in any discipline, or a bachelor’s degree in any discipline plus one year of experience as a Physician Assistant.
Successful completion of the PA National Certifying Exam (PANCE), or be in the process of taking the exam.
Hold, or be able to obtain, a full and unrestricted license to practice in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.
Proficiency in written and spoken English.
Meet the applicable Physician Assistant grade-level requirements when qualifying for PA-II or PA-III, including the specified practice experience, accredited postgraduate residency, or health-related doctoral degree pathways.
Be able to perform patient histories and physical examinations, formulate treatment plans, and provide patient care informed by current professional concepts and advances.
Meet VA pre-employment conditions, including applicable drug testing, background/security investigation, onboarding, and seasonal influenza vaccination requirements.

Nice To Haves

Experience across a broader range of cardiology, including rotations or experience in different aspects of cardiology.

Responsibilities

Manage patients with acute and chronic cardiac conditions in collaboration with a Physician Cardiologist, emphasizing health promotion, disease prevention, and evidence-based care.
Develop, implement, and adjust individualized care plans to achieve optimal patient and population health outcomes.
Collaborate with physicians, peers, patients, families, allied services, and interdisciplinary teams in diagnosing and treating cardiovascular diseases.
Order and interpret laboratory tests, diagnostic studies, and other testing; prescribe pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions.
Initiate referrals and specialty consultations; triage and complete e-consults or route them to the appropriate clinic or service, and respond to consults according to policy.
Determine pathways to care, including clinical evaluation and coordination of care.
Conduct telephone, face-to-face, VVC, and CVT clinics; complete History and Physicals; and use telemedicine as needed.
Round with cardiac surgery on post-TAVR and Structural Heart patients and assist with discharge follow-up and education.
Enter data in the VA VART-CL registry and assist with acute events in Cardiac Rehabilitation.
Evaluate, develop, and implement treatment plans for inpatient and outpatient General Cardiology, Heart Failure, and Arrhythmia consults, providing continuity and follow-up for patients seen by the cardiology fellow.
Manage cardiology patients in accordance with guidance from the American Heart Association, American College of Cardiology, Heart Failure Society of America, and Heart Rhythm Society.
Manage conditions including cardiomyopathies, ischemic disease, valvular disorders, arrhythmia, and angina; reinforce education on diet, fluid intake, monitoring, medications, and heart failure symptoms.
Monitor Heart Failure patients for response to therapy and need for advanced therapy referral; manage outpatient inotropes, review home telehealth notes, initiate goals-of-care discussions, and work with the palliative team for end-stage heart failure.
Manage patients during cardiac stress testing, including exercise testing or inotropes, with Physician Cardiologist supervision where needed.
Participate in discharge planning, including coordination of ancillary services.
Provide coverage across Cardiology subspecialties in inpatient and outpatient settings, including clinics or e-consults at the main campus and satellite sites.
Address veteran questions through secure email, secure messaging, and patient phone calls.
Work with specialists, residents, interns, fellows, and primary inpatient care providers; precept and assist with training residents, interns, and medical students.
Exemplify VA ICARE values and perform other duties as assigned.