Physician Assistant - Primary Care, Site Medical Director

Veterans Health Administration•Auburn, WA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

This position is located in the General Medicine Service at the VA Puget Sound Auburn Community Based Outpatient Clinic in Auburn, Washington. The Physician Assistant provides management and leadership of interdisciplinary patient care services in a primary care setting and serves as the Primary Care Provider lead within the Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT). The role includes clinical evaluation and treatment, staff supervision, shared leadership of clinical operations, and participation in quality, population health, and operational efforts. The position is scheduled Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Telework is not available, and the position is not virtual. A compressed schedule is authorized. Relocation and recruitment incentives and permanent change of station are not authorized. The VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package and federal employee benefits. Applicants must meet the Physician Assistant education, certification, licensure, and grade-level requirements. Basic qualifications include a master's degree in any discipline, or a bachelor's degree in any discipline plus one year of experience as a Physician Assistant; passing or being in the process of taking the PA National Certifying Exam (PANCE); and holding or obtaining a full, unrestricted U.S. license to practice. Candidates must also meet the specified experience, education, and knowledge, skills, and abilities for the applicable PA grade.

Requirements

Meet the Physician Assistant basic requirements: a master's degree in any discipline, or a bachelor's degree in any discipline and one year of Physician Assistant experience.
Have successfully passed the PA National Certifying Exam (PANCE), or be in the process of taking the exam.
Currently hold, or obtain, a full and unrestricted license to practice in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.
Be a U.S. citizen; non-citizens may be appointed when qualified citizens cannot be recruited, as permitted by law.
Be proficient in spoken and written English.
Meet the experience, education, and knowledge, skills, and abilities requirements for the assigned PA 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 postgraduate residency plus one year of PA practice, or a health-related doctoral degree plus one year of PA practice.
Complete required pre-employment screening, including drug testing for selected applicants in testing-designated positions, and undergo a background/security investigation.
Complete the online onboarding process and provide acceptable identification and all required application documents.
Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must meet Selective Service registration requirements.
May be required to serve a probationary period.

Responsibilities

Evaluate, diagnose, and treat patients within Internal Medicine or Family Practice, as authorized by clinical privileges and applicable state law.
Provide direct or indirect patient care and perform duties permitted by statute or recognized medical practice and licensure.
Supervise staff, including handling administrative tasks, human resources matters, and performance evaluations.
Participate in population health and quality improvement efforts for Veteran care.
Take part in continuing medical education and quality assurance activities, and follow Medical Staff By-Laws.
Work collaboratively with the PACT administrative lead and nursing lead, sharing leadership of clinical operations as the PCP lead.
Coordinate with Extended PACT services, including pharmacy, social work, nutrition, telemedicine, laboratory services, radiology services, and Primary Care Mental Health Integration, to optimize the clinical environment.
Collaborate with non-General Medicine Service lines to facilitate care as needed.
Lead according to the foundational principles of a highly reliable organization.
Participate in strategic and operational planning; ensure staff follow VHA, facility, and General Medicine Service policies and procedures; review staffing and resource utilization; monitor clinical performance and Veteran satisfaction measures; review staff satisfaction measures; and contribute to work-unit governance.
Support staff engagement in emergency planning, drills, and emergency communications.