Physician Assistant (Plastic Surgery)

Veterans Health Administration • Lexington, KY

5d • Onsite

About The Position

The Plastic Surgery Physician Assistant provides advanced clinical care in surgical, inpatient, outpatient, procedural, and perioperative environments within the Plastic Surgery Section. The PA functions as an independent licensed provider under the supervision of a credentialed Plastic Surgeon and in accordance with VA policies, clinical practice guidelines, and privileging requirements. The role supports patient evaluation and management, procedural care, care coordination, documentation, performance improvement, education, and clinical operations for Plastic Surgery clinics and minor procedure settings.

The position works Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., as assigned by the Plastic Surgery Section. Assignments may include outpatient clinics, administrative time, procedure blocks, and inpatient rounding, with occasional extended hours depending on service needs. Ad-hoc telework may be available as determined by agency policy; this is not a virtual position.

The position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to program eligibility and approval. The application must be submitted within four months of appointment. The VHA program office determines approval, award amount (up to $200,000), and eligibility period (one to five years). Former EDRP participants are not eligible to apply. Relocation/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.
• 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, Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• Meet applicable VA employment conditions, including background/security investigation, pre-employment physical evaluation, and required drug testing for selected applicants in testing-designated positions.
• Register for Selective Service if a male born after December 31, 1959.
• 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 PA postgraduate residency, or a health-related doctoral degree; 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.
• Meet the knowledge, skills, and abilities associated with the selected grade, including patient evaluation and treatment planning, clinical decision-making, autonomy, interdisciplinary collaboration, and, for PA-III, advanced practice and care-system improvement capabilities.
• Ability to stand for extended periods during clinical duties.
• Ability to lift moderate weight, such as clinical equipment.
• Full functional capacity for visual, auditory, and motor tasks consistent with patient care.

Nice To Haves

• Prior surgical or procedural experience.
• Plastic Surgery experience.
• Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS).

Responsibilities

• Evaluate Plastic Surgery patients, including taking histories, conducting physical examinations, ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests, and developing treatment plans.
• Perform pre-operative and post-operative assessments and communicate findings to supervising surgeons.
• Triage urgent and routine consults and ensure timely follow-up in accordance with VA access standards.
• Perform authorized minor procedures, including wound care, suture removal, dressing changes, injections, biopsy, and cyst-removal support.
• Assist Plastic Surgeons with clinic-based procedures.
• Follow VHA requirements for invasive procedures, informed consent, time-outs, safety checks, and documentation.
• Provide inpatient rounding support, progress notes, and discharge planning for Plastic Surgery patients.
• Coordinate perioperative instructions, risk stratification, and postoperative follow-up.
• Collaborate with nursing, schedulers, operating room staff, other specialties, and administrative teams.
• Coordinate continuity of care with Primary Care, Community Care, and VA and non-VA partners.
• Complete clinical documentation within VA timeliness standards, including consults, encounters, procedures, progress notes, and required operative-note co-signatures.
• Ensure consult closure, accurate coding, and compliance with Surgical Service documentation requirements.
• Review imaging, pathology, and laboratory results and promptly communicate abnormal findings.
• Participate in Section and Service meetings and contribute to operational improvements.
• Participate in educational conferences, mandatory training, VISN safety initiatives, and facility-wide competency programs.
• Adhere to VA policies concerning scope of practice, surgical safety, informed consent, infection prevention, equity of care, and professionalism.
• Conduct independent clinics for follow-ups, postoperative visits, and minor procedures.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to eligibility and program approval; award amounts may be up to $200,000 for an eligibility period of one to five years.
• A comprehensive federal employee benefits package is referenced; specific benefits depend on position eligibility and are not itemized in the posting.

What This Job Offers

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