Physician Assistant- Neurology

Veterans Health Administration • Fargo, ND

9d

About The Position

The Staff Physician Assistant provides comprehensive neurological evaluation, diagnosis, consultation, treatment, and follow-up care to Veterans receiving care through the Fargo VA Health Care System. Services are delivered in outpatient, inpatient, telehealth, and consultative settings. The Physician Assistant works as an integral member of an interdisciplinary healthcare team and supports VA goals related to access, quality, and patient safety.

The role uses advanced practice knowledge to manage patient care needs in the Neurology Clinic. Care includes conducting histories and physical examinations; ordering and evaluating appropriate laboratory tests, radiology studies, and screening studies; and developing treatment and follow-up plans within the supervising physician’s guidelines. Plans may include medication, medical equipment, and home-based interventions. The position also provides outpatient and post-discharge follow-up and coordinates care with specialty and subspecialty providers. Patient care may be delivered through in-person visits, group clinics, telephone clinics, secure messaging, and other modalities.

The Physician Assistant completes patient encounters and notes and codes visits according to applicable guidelines. The role supports patients and families through teaching, gathering information about medical problems, presenting patient-centered discussions for appraisal, and arranging appointments with appropriate Neurology services. The incumbent serves as a contact point for Neurology services regarding patient care and provides consultations to Primary Care. Additional duties may support the Neurology Department, including data assimilation for VA reports and quality assurance programs, as determined by departmental or medical center leadership. The position also ensures appropriate patient handoffs and continuity of care and provides care appropriate to the ages of patients served in the Fargo VAMC Specialty Medicine Department.

The VA describes its care model as a Whole Health System that empowers Veterans to take charge of their health and well-being through personalized health plans, healing relationships and environments, and connections to their communities. The stated work schedule is to be determined through interview discussion, with possible schedules of 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. or 7:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.

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.
• Be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Meet the applicable experience and education criteria for the assigned Physician Assistant grade: PA-I requires no experience beyond basic requirements; PA-II requires two years of successful PA practice, an eligible postgraduate 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.
• For PA-II and PA-III, demonstrate or develop the applicable knowledge, skills, and abilities described for the grade, including clinical judgment, patient care, and collaboration as applicable.
• Complete required background/security investigation, onboarding, and pre-employment physical evaluation or examination.
• Participate in the Department of Veterans Affairs seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Meet Selective Service registration requirements if applicable.

Nice To Haves

• One to two years of experience in Neurology.

Responsibilities

• Manage patient care needs for patients in the Neurology Clinic using advanced practice knowledge.
• Provide neurological care by performing histories and physical examinations, ordering and evaluating appropriate laboratory tests, radiology studies, and screening studies, and developing treatment and follow-up plans within supervising physician guidelines.
• Develop care plans that may include medication, medical equipment, and home-based interventions.
• Provide outpatient and post-discharge follow-up and coordinate care with specialty and subspecialty medical providers.
• Deliver care through face-to-face visits and other modalities, including group clinics, telephone clinics, and secure messaging.
• Complete patient encounters and notes and correctly code visits in accordance with coding guidelines.
• Prepare patients and families through teaching, gathering information about medical problems, and presenting patient-centered discussions for appraisal.
• Arrange patients with appropriate Neurology Department services.
• Serve as the contact person for Neurological services regarding patient care and provide consults for the Primary Care department.
• Assist the Neurology Department with service-related duties, including data assimilation for VA reports and quality assurance programs, as requested by leadership.
• Demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the ages of patients served in the Fargo VAMC Specialty Medicine Department.
• Ensure appropriate patient handoffs and continuity of care.

Benefits

• Competitive salary, annual performance bonus, and regular salary increases.
• 50–55 days of paid time off per year, including 26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid federal holidays, and a possible five-day paid absence for CME.
• Traditional federal pension with five-year vesting and federal 401(k) with up to 5% in contributions by VA.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement.
• Possible $1,000 per year CME reimbursement for full-time employees with board certification.
• Free liability protection with tail coverage.
• No Physician Employment Contract and no significant restriction on moonlighting.

What This Job Offers

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