Qualifications

To qualify for this position, you must meet the basic requirements as well as any additional requirements (if applicable) listed in the job announcement. Applicants pending the completion of training or license requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Currently employed physician(s) in VA who met the requirements for appointment under the previous qualification standard at the time of their initial appointment are deemed to have met the basic requirements of the occupation.

Basic Requirements:

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy
• Proficiency in spoken and written English
• Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements stated above, the following qualification criteria must be met: Physician Assistant-III (PA-III)(a) Experience and Education
• PAs at the PA-III grade are at the full performance level and lead and organize patient care independently, practice within multi- disciplinary teams, and coordinate all aspects of patient care across the health care system
• They utilize advanced clinical knowledge and judgment in decision-making and evaluating outcomes
• They function as experts in clinical practice and/or in areas related to the assigned roles and responsibilities, may serve as mentors for transitioning PAs, and may provide training for health care students
• Individuals can demonstrate the KSAs for the full performance level by: i
• Three years of successful practice as a PA
• OR ii
• Successful completion of a PA post-graduate residency program sponsored by VHA Office of Academic Affiliations or other postgraduate residency programs accredited by VA, ARC-PA, U.S. Armed Forces, or another accrediting agency and one year of professional practice as a PA
• OR iii
• AA doctoral degree in a health-related field from an accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and one year of professional practice as a PA.(b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• PAs at this level are not required to meet each individual KSA listed below to qualify, but should be able to demonstrate, develop, or acquire those not met upon appointment for PA-III: i
• Ability to clinically evaluate facility patient care delivery systems and validate or identify barriers to safe and effective patient care
• ii
• Skill to consistently demonstrate an elevated level of expertise and autonomy in diagnosing and treating seriously ill, multi-symptomatic patients through facility Focused Professional Practice Evaluation (FPPE) and Ongoing Professional Practice Evaluation (OPPE)
• iii
• Ability to present clinical findings and recommendations to appropriate management officials
• iv
• Ability to clinically facilitate the delivery of patient care in collaboration with health professionals, health managers, and other health care personnel
• v
• Ability to implement and initiate clinical changes to established treatment protocols based upon new medical literature research findings to enhance patient delivery care for improved patient outcomes.vi
• Ability to participate clinically in the development of the PA patient care audit processes involving in-depth review and analysis of medical records
• Preferred Requirement: At least 2yrs of exposure and experience in a Nephrology setting (outpatient, dialysis or hospital) OR 3yrs of experience in a non Nephrology specialty (Cardiology, Primary Care)
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.The full performance level of this vacancy is VN-03
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of VN-01 to VN-03
• Physical Requirements: Lifting up to 35 pounds, intermittently
• moderate carrying (15-35 pounds), intermittently
• lifting over 35 pounds with assistive devices in accordance with the Safe Patient Handling Policy except in emergent situations requiring prompt patient care
• pulling, intermittently
• pushing, intermittently
• reaching above the shoulders, intermittently, both hands required
• walking, intermittently
• standing, intermittently
• kneeling, intermittently
• and repeated bending.