Physician Assistant (General Surgery)

Veterans Health Administration•Birmingham, AL

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Birmingham VA Health Care System is recruiting a full-time Physician Assistant in Surgical Service, focused on general surgery. The role provides pre-operative, intra-operative, and post-operative care and general surgical patient management in clinic and inpatient settings. The position is not virtual; ad-hoc telework is available. The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The full-performance level is PA-III, and selection may be made at PA-I, PA-II, or PA-III. Salary ranges are $120,966–$160,874 for PA-I, $131,852–$175,357 for PA-II, and $143,719–$191,140 for PA-III. Recruitment and relocation incentives are not authorized.

Requirements

A master's degree in any discipline, or a bachelor's degree in any discipline plus one year of experience as a Physician Assistant.
Successful completion of the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE), or be in the process of taking the exam.
Hold, or be eligible to hold, 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.
Pass a pre-employment physical evaluation and, if tentatively selected for a testing-designated position, urinalysis screening for illegal drug use.
Meet applicable background and security investigation requirements and complete the online onboarding process and application requirements.
For PA-II consideration, meet one of the stated pathways: two years of successful PA practice; completion of an eligible accredited PA postgraduate residency; or a doctoral degree in a health-related field.
For PA-III consideration, meet one of the stated pathways: three years of successful PA practice; completion of an eligible accredited PA postgraduate residency plus one year of PA practice; or a doctoral degree in a health-related field plus one year of PA practice.
Be physically and mentally able to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Responsibilities

Obtain comprehensive histories and perform physical examinations before surgery.
Order and interpret diagnostic tests, including laboratory tests, X-rays, MRI, and CT.
Educate patients about surgical plans, risks, preparation, and postoperative expectations.
Complete pre-operative documentation and surgical clearance.
First-assist during surgeries, including retraction, suturing, hemostasis, instrument handling, and robotic or laparoscopic support as appropriate to training.
Coordinate with operating-room staff to support workflow.
Perform delegated procedures such as incision and drainage, wound management, casting, and splinting.
Round on inpatients and assess postoperative recovery.
Manage postoperative care, including dressings, drains, suture or staple removal, and wound checks.
Address consults, triage postoperative issues, and manage complications.
Educate patients about discharge and home care.
Diagnose and treat adult patients in clinic and inpatient settings.
Prescribe medications as delegated and perform therapeutic procedures such as injections, aspirations, and minor wound care.
Conduct inpatient and emergency-room consults and determine whether admission is needed.
Document histories, progress notes, operative notes, and discharge summaries.
Complete and route consults, ensure required clinical information is present, and complete encounters by the end of the clinical day.
Coordinate inpatient rounds, surgical follow-up, multidisciplinary communication, specialty and tertiary referrals, and transitions of care.
Assist with appointment scheduling, manage wait lists, support timely scheduling, and oversee clinic flow and delays.