Physician Assistant- Primary Care

Veterans Health Administration•Muskogee, OK

About The Position

The Physician Assistant provides and coordinates medical care for assigned patients in any care setting. The role includes obtaining histories, performing physical examinations, establishing diagnoses, developing and implementing care plans, and providing follow-up care. The Physician Assistant evaluates patients’ need for further care; orders diagnostic studies, laboratory specimens, ancillary services, specialty consultations, and patient-care supplies; and writes orders for or prescribes medications. The role also includes health promotion, disease prevention, patient education, and coordination of VA and non-VA care in accordance with applicable policies and procedures. The position is in primary care at the Eastern Oklahoma VA Health Care System. The full-performance level is Grade III, although selection may be at Grade I, II, or III. The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Applicants must meet the applicable education, examination, and state licensure requirements and satisfy the stated federal employment conditions.

Requirements

A master's degree in any discipline, or a bachelor's degree in any discipline plus one year of experience as a Physician Assistant.
Successfully pass the Physician Assistant 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.
Be proficient in written and spoken English.
Meet applicable VA employment conditions, including background/security investigation, pre-employment drug screening for testing-designated positions, and pre-employment physical evaluation/examination.
Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
For PA-II qualification through practice experience, have two years of successful practice as a Physician Assistant; qualifying alternatives include an accredited postgraduate PA residency or a doctoral degree in a health-related field.
For PA-III qualification through practice experience, have three years of successful practice as a Physician Assistant; qualifying alternatives include an accredited postgraduate PA residency plus one year of professional practice, or a health-related doctoral degree plus one year of professional practice.
For PA-II and PA-III appointments, demonstrate or develop the applicable knowledge, skills, and abilities described for the grade.

Nice To Haves

Experience providing comprehensive outpatient primary-care services.
Experience evaluating and treating acute illnesses and injuries.
Experience managing chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, COPD, and heart disease.
Experience performing physical examinations and preventive-health screenings.
Experience ordering and interpreting laboratory tests, imaging, and other diagnostic studies.
Experience prescribing medications and developing treatment plans.
Experience providing patient education and counseling.
Experience coordinating care with physicians and an interdisciplinary team.
Experience caring for adult or Veteran patients.
Experience using an electronic health record, preferably VA systems.

Responsibilities

Obtain medical histories and perform physical examinations.
Provide and coordinate medical care for assigned patients in any care setting, including establishing diagnoses, formulating and implementing care plans, and providing follow-up care.
Evaluate patients to determine the need for further health care.
Order diagnostic studies and special tests, including MRI and CT scans.
Carry out health-promotion, disease-prevention, and patient-education activities.
Order or obtain laboratory specimens.
Order ancillary services, including pharmacy, social services, physical medicine and rehabilitation therapies, and prosthetic services.
Order VA specialty-service consultations and initiate requests for non-VA medical care and consultations in accordance with VHA and local facility policies and procedures.
Order patient-care supplies.
Write orders for and/or prescribe medications.