Physician Assistant (Podiatry)

Veterans Health Administration•Salisbury, NC

13h

About The Position

The Physician Assistant works in the Podiatry Section as part of an interdisciplinary team of podiatrists, clinicians, technicians, and administrative personnel. The role functions under the overall management of the Section Chief of Podiatry and independently organizes care within approved privileges, applies advanced clinical judgment to complex cases, and coordinates care across disciplines. The incumbent follows Surgery Service and Podiatry Section policies and applicable regulatory, policy, and accreditation requirements. Assigned time and resources are determined through service planning and approved labor mapping. Duties are performed in partnership with Surgery Service leadership, the Section Chief of Podiatry, the Administrative Officer, and the interdisciplinary team. Administrative work includes attending required meetings, communicating through the chain of command, assisting with issue briefs and follow-up actions, maintaining timely clinical and electronic health record documentation, and participating in clinic management, access, productivity, performance measures, quality and patient safety activities, and process-improvement initiatives. The PA supports appropriate resource use and works with clinical and administrative staff to improve continuity, efficiency, and timeliness of care. Clinical duties depend on approved credentials and privileges and may include evaluating foot and ankle conditions; taking histories and performing examinations; diagnosing and managing podiatric conditions; ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests; providing wound care, diabetic foot care, and postoperative follow-up; performing callus care, nail debridement, or injections when authorized; managing casts, splints, and off-loading devices; educating Veterans and caregivers; and collaborating with podiatrists and other team members, including initiating referrals and consults when indicated. The stated work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., or as determined by supervisory discretion. The full performance level is VN-III; selection may be at VN-I through VN-III. VA describes a comprehensive total rewards and federal benefits package, with specific benefits eligibility dependent on position type.

Requirements

Master's degree in any discipline, or a bachelor's degree in any discipline plus one year of experience as a Physician Assistant.
Successfully passed the PA National Certifying Exam (PANCE), or be in the process of taking the exam.
Currently hold, or be able to obtain, a full and unrestricted license to practice in a U.S. State, Territory, or Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.
Be proficient in written and spoken English.
Meet the experience and education criteria for the selected grade: 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, an eligible postgraduate residency plus one year of PA practice, or a health-related doctoral degree plus one year of PA practice.
Demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities appropriate to the selected grade, including patient assessment, treatment planning, clinical judgment, and collaboration as applicable.
Meet applicable pre-employment requirements, including background/security investigation, required testing, and pre-employment physical evaluation; complete onboarding and application documentation.
Register with Selective Service if applicable to males born after December 31, 1959.
Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program and serve a probationary period if required.

Nice To Haves

At least five years of experience as a Physician Assistant, preferably in a surgical, podiatry, orthopedic, or other specialty-care setting.
Experience performing comprehensive patient assessments, developing treatment plans, ordering and interpreting diagnostic studies, performing minor clinical procedures, providing preoperative and postoperative care, and managing outpatient patients.
Experience collaborating with physicians and other members of an interdisciplinary healthcare team.
Prior experience with the Department of Veterans Affairs or another large, integrated healthcare system.

Responsibilities

Attend required staff meetings; communicate through the chain of command; and assist with issue briefs, follow-up actions, and service-level patient-care and operational requirements.
Maintain timely clinical documentation, manage open encounters and consults, and complete required electronic health record documentation.
Participate in clinic management, access, productivity, performance measures, quality and patient safety activities, and process improvement or system redesign initiatives.
Support appropriate resource use and collaborate with clinical and administrative staff to improve continuity, efficiency, and timeliness of care.
Evaluate foot and ankle conditions and perform comprehensive or focused histories and physical examinations.
Diagnose and manage podiatric conditions within scope of practice and approved privileges.
Order and interpret laboratory studies, X-rays, MRI, CT, vascular studies, and other appropriate diagnostic testing.
Perform wound assessment and wound care, diabetic foot evaluation and management, and postoperative follow-up; coordinate postoperative care with the operating podiatrist or surgical team.
Provide callus care and nail debridement, apply or manage casts, splints, and off-loading devices, and perform injections when within approved scope and privileges.
Educate Veterans and caregivers about diagnoses, treatment plans, medications, preventive care, and follow-up.
Collaborate with podiatrists and interdisciplinary team members and initiate referrals or consults when indicated.
Maintain appropriate credentials and privileges and practice within the specialty area and approved privileges.