Physician Assistant (Primary Care)

Veterans Health Administration • Mountain Home, ID

4d • Onsite

About The Position

The Physician Assistant (Primary Care) provides full-time direct patient care as part of an expanded healthcare team serving Veterans in a group practice setting. The position is assigned to the Orange Team at the Mountain Home Community-Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC), where the Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) model is used to care for a panel of approximately 900 patients. The small clinic has about two PACT teams. The team includes a provider, registered nurse, licensed practical nurse or medical assistant, and scheduler, and works with social workers, dieticians, clinical pharmacists, behavioral health clinicians, and care managers.

The practice emphasizes evidence-based medicine, primary and secondary prevention, computerized medical records, and continuous quality improvement using individualized provider data. The PA may occasionally work alone and can request assistance from other medical staff. Emergency room backup is available, as are surgery, psychiatry, and medical subspecialties; patients needing inpatient admission are transferred to the admitting house staff team. A supervising physician reviews and countersigns at least 10% of progress notes.

The position is based in Mountain Home, Idaho, within the Boise VA Healthcare System. The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Telework is unavailable, and the position is not virtual. Relocation or recruitment incentives may be authorized for highly qualified candidates; permanent change of station is not authorized. The position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to VHA eligibility requirements and application review. The program may provide up to $200,000 over an approved period of one to five years. Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply.

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 Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE), or be in the process of taking it.
• 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.
• Pass a pre-employment physical evaluation.
• Participate in the Department of Veterans Affairs seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Meet the applicable Physician Assistant 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.
• Demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities applicable to the selected PA grade, including patient assessment, treatment planning, clinical decision-making, collaboration, and patient care.

Nice To Haves

• Two years of successful PA practice, an eligible postgraduate PA residency, or a doctoral degree in a health-related field for consideration at the PA-II grade.
• Three years of successful PA practice, or an eligible postgraduate PA residency plus one year of PA practice, or a health-related doctoral degree plus one year of PA practice for consideration at the PA-III grade.
• Eligibility for relocation or recruitment incentives may be considered for highly qualified candidates.

Responsibilities

• Perform initial histories and physical examinations for outpatients.
• Provide ongoing outpatient and inpatient care for assigned patients.
• Screen outpatients to determine whether further care is needed.
• Prescribe medications within the defined scope of practice.
• Order diagnostic studies, including laboratory tests, X-rays, and electrocardiograms (EKGs).
• Review needs for and order health promotion and disease prevention activities.
• Initiate, respond to, and expedite requests for consultations, special tests, and studies.
• Educate and counsel patients and families about preventive care, medical conditions, and prescribed treatments and drugs.
• Coordinate and oversee medical care for a population of Veterans as a member of a PACT.
• Request assistance from other medical staff as needed when working alone; coordinate with available emergency, surgical, psychiatric, and medical specialty services.
• Attend staff, team, and some committee meetings and complete peer review evaluations; time outside assigned shifts is provided for this work.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to eligibility and program approval, with an award amount of up to $200,000 and an eligibility period of one to five years.
• Comprehensive federal employee benefits package; specific benefit eligibility depends on position type.

What This Job Offers

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