Physician Assistant-Otolaryngologist

Veterans Health Administration•Tacoma, WA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Physician Assistant is assigned to the Otolaryngology Section within Surgical Service at VA Puget Sound and participates in outpatient, inpatient, procedural, and perioperative care. The position evaluates and manages patients, assists with surgical procedures, performs office-based procedures, coordinates care, and contributes to administrative, quality-improvement, and educational activities. The role may include training at the Seattle campus and intermittent coverage. This is an open continuous announcement that will remain open until filled or February 1, 2027. Eligible applicants may be reviewed and referred to the hiring manager at regular intervals or when additional vacancies arise. The position is scheduled Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; telework is not available, and the position is not virtual. Relocation and recruitment incentives and permanent change-of-station authorization are not offered. The position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. It is subject to federal employment requirements, including applicable background and security checks, a pre-employment physical evaluation, and drug screening for tentatively selected applicants in testing-designated positions. A probationary period may be required.

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 Exam (PANCE), or be in the process of taking it.
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 the knowledge, skills, and abilities for the assigned 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, or an eligible residency plus one year of PA practice, or a health-related doctoral degree plus one year of PA practice.
Complete applicable pre-employment requirements, including a background/security investigation and pre-employment physical evaluation; tentatively selected applicants in testing-designated positions must undergo urinalysis for illegal drug use.
Participate in the Department of Veterans Affairs seasonal influenza vaccination program.
Meet Selective Service registration requirements, if applicable to males born after December 31, 1959.
Complete all application requirements described in the announcement's Required Documents section.

Nice To Haves

Experience as a Physician Assistant in Otolaryngology or another surgical/procedural specialty.

Responsibilities

Perform initial patient histories and physical examinations.
Provide ongoing outpatient and inpatient care for assigned patients and episodic patients.
Screen and triage outpatients to determine further care needs.
Assist ENT surgeons in the operating room with surgical procedures and care.
Prescribe medications, including Schedule II–V controlled substances, within the defined scope of practice and applicable law.
Write orders and prescriptions needed for patient care in accordance with federal and state law.
Order diagnostic studies, including laboratory tests and X-rays.
Carry out health promotion and disease-prevention activities.
Clearly identify authored orders, consult notes, procedure notes, progress notes, consultation requests, and administrative letters as written by the Physician Assistant in written and electronic medical records.
Initiate and expedite consultation requests and scheduling of special tests and studies.
Prepare interim summaries in patient progress notes.
Educate and counsel patients and families about preventive care, medical conditions, and prescribed treatments and drugs.
Administer topical anesthesia.
Participate in quality-assurance activities, including Root Cause Analysis, Failure Mode Effect Analysis, and tort-claim review.
Participate in protected peer review and pertinent peer chart-review activities.
Participate in care-line staff meetings, Specialty Care Team meetings, and mandatory staff functions.
May conduct training at the Seattle campus and provide intermittent coverage.