Physician Assistant (Psychiatry - Harm Reduction)

Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.

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Duties

Boise and the larger metro area is home to Fortune 500 companies, small businesses and start-ups, universities, military and nonprofit organizations and many more. Boise is a vibrant and energetic community with friendly faces and a beautiful backdrop. Dining and nightlife, recreation and adventure, and arts and culture are all in the heart of downtown Boise and the metro area.

VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package.

Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) Authorized: EDRP has been authorized for this position. After a selection is made, the local EDRP coordinator will provide further details. Program eligibility and award amount is determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services office. Learn more.

The position is located at the Boise VA Medical Center, Behavioral Health Service Line, Psychiatry Service. The Staff Physician Assistant will work in the department of Behavioral Health and will provide Mental Health care such as prescribing medications, seeing patients in the Harm Reduction clinic, crisis management and consulting with primary care and behavioral health providers.

A Psychiatry Certificate of Added Qualifications (CAQ) required; you must submit a copy with your application.

Duties (but not limited to):

• Conducts comprehensive psychiatric evaluations and provides treatment in light of biological, psychological, behavioral, and social factors to patients age 18 and older who suffer from mental, behavioral, or emotional disorders including substance abuse
• Conducts comprehensive physical evaluations, work ups, diagnostic assessments, and provides treatment to the same veteran population as above.
• Provides education and counseling of patients and families in preventive care medical conditions, and use of prescribed treatments and medications, when appropriate.
• Orders and takes appropriate action for all necessary laboratory tests, electrocardiograms (EKG), radiologic assessments, and other clinical tests.
• Triages and initiates referrals as clinically indicated.
• Documents in the computerized record in a timely fashion.
• Supports facility educational mission by attending case conferences, psychiatry presentations, and Grand Rounds when able.
• Maintains credentials and privileges at the Boise VA Medical Center.
• Completes peer reviews as assigned.
• Attends psychiatry service meetings as scheduled.
• Participates in professional, clinical, and administrative activities as assigned.
• Works with other staff members of the Psychiatry team to provide a consistent interdisciplinary, collaborative approach to patient care, education, and communication within our service and in the Behavioral Health Department.
• Participates as needed in Process and Quality Improvement projects and programs within the assigned behavioral health program(s).
• Carries an outpatient caseload of psychiatric patients with the full spectrum of psychiatric diagnoses including substance abuse.
• Provides ongoing outpatient care (supportive counseling, pharmacotherapy management and psychosocial interventions) for assigned patients.
• Provides same day access coverage for behavioral health patients needing psychiatric care.
• Provides psychiatric consultation to inpatient and outpatient medical/surgical providers.
• Provides psychiatric coverage for colleagues as appropriate.
  
  

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am to 4:30pm MST

Compressed/Flexible: Not available

Telework: Ad-hoc (as determined by agency needs)

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized

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Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• All qualified candidates encouraged to apply. Open to U.S. Citizens but non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.
  
  

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

Physician Assistant Basic Requirements

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  United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• Education: Graduate of a training program which is accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education of PA (ARC-PA) or one of its predecessor organizations.
• Additionally, candidates must meet one of the following: (1) Master's degree in any discipline; OR (2) Bachelor's degree in any discipline with one year of experience as a PA.
• Certification: Must have successfully passed the PA National Certifying Exam (PANCE)-(or are you in the process to taking the exam)
  
  NOTE: Current and continuous certification by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) is no longer required for employment in VHA.
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  Licensure: Must possess an active, current, full, and unrestricted license to practice in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia. PAs must maintain current registration in the State of licensure if this is a requirement for continuing active and current licensure in that State.
• Language: Proficiency in spoken and written English.
  

Preferred Experience:

• Experience with the following:
• Substance use disorders treatment
• Harm reduction model, use of medication-assisted therapy for substance use disorders
• Detoxification treatment
• Psychiatric treatment

Grade Determinations:

Physician Assistant-I (PA-I)

• Experience and Education. None beyond the basic requirements. This is the entry level for PAs.
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. The following list of knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA) present the minimum skill set expected of an Entry Level PA. This practice may include, but is not limited to:
• Ability to utilize the principles of PA practice in the care of assigned patients to provide appropriate care.
• Ability to perform patient history and physical.
• Ability to formulate a plan and provide treatment to the patient.
• Ability to provide patient care that is abreast of changing concepts and advancements in the profession.

Physician Assistant-II (PA-II)

• Experience and Education. The PA at this grade is at the intermediate grade level and has had progressively increasing responsibility and experiences as indicated in the KSAs listed below. Individuals will have demonstrated the ability to analyze and solve more complex medical problems than at the entry level grade and can utilize their training in the successful practice of patient care and participate in team problem solving. Individuals demonstrate the KSAs of PA-II intermediate level by:
• Two years of successful practice as a PA. OR
• 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. OR
• A doctoral degree in a health-related field from an accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). 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-II:
• Skills to analyze and solve complex medical problems.
• Ability to function autonomously and make independent medical decisions.
• Skill to incorporate training and experience into the successful practice of patient care including telehealth medical care.
• Ability to work effectively in an interdisciplinary environment for improvement of services for patient care.
• Ability to practice with colleagues and peers collaboratively.

Physician Assistant-III (PA-III)

• 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:
• Three years of successful practice as a PA. OR
• 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
• A 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.
• 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:
• Ability to clinically evaluate facility patient care delivery systems and validate or identify barriers to safe and effective patient care.
• 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).
• Ability to present clinical findings and recommendations to appropriate management officials.
• Ability to clinically facilitate the delivery of patient care in collaboration with health professionals, health managers, and other health care personnel.
• 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.
• Ability to participate clinically in the development of the PA patient care audit processes involving in-depth review and analysis of medical records.

References: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-8 Physician Assistant Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office.



Physical Requirements: Light lifting, under 15 pounds; Walking and Standing (1 hour); Specific visual requirement (see computer screen); Hearing (aid may be permitted).

Environmental Factors: Working closely with others; working alone; protracted or irregular hours of work.

Education



Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Additional information

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

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Boise VA Medical Center

500 West Fort Street

Boise, ID 83702

US