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A Recruitment Incentive (Sign-On Bonus) may be authorized for qualified applicants. The Indianapolis VA Medical Center is recruiting for a Physician Assistant (Cardiothoracic Surgery) within Surgical Service. The Cardiothoracic Physician Assistant will provide medical and surgical care for inpatients and outpatients within our Cardiothoracic Surgery and Surgical Intensive Care section. 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 Master's degree in any discipline or a bachelor's degree in any discipline with one year of experience as a Physician Assistant ~AND~ Successfully passed the PA National Certifying Exam (PANCE) (or are you in the process to taking the exam) ~AND~ Currently hold, or will hold, a full and unrestricted license to practice in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States or in the District of Columbia. Preferred Experience: 2 years of experience in endovascular vein harvesting and surgical service experience. Grade Determinations: Physician Assistant-I (PA-I) Experience and Education. None beyond the basic requirements. This is the entry level for Physician Assistants. AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. The following list of knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA) present the minimum skill set expected of an Entry Level Physician Assistant. This practice may include, but is not limited to: Ability to utilize the principles of Physician Assistant 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 Physician Assistant 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 Physician Assistant 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). Physician Assistants 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. Physician Assistants 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 Physician Assistants, 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 Physician Assistant 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. Physician Assistants 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 Physician Assistant 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. The full performance level of this vacancy is Grade 4. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of Grade 2 to Grade 4. Physical Requirements: Standing, walking, lifting light loads, assisting patients with positioning and transfers. Must be able to use a computer to input orders, review reports etc. Must be able to communicate directions and patient orders. Light lifting (under 15lbs), light carrying (under 15lbs), use of fingers, far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and 20/40 in the other, hearing (aid permitted), emotional stability, mental stability, working closely with others, working alone, and working with biohazardous materials. ["Cardiothoracic Surgery Duties Design and conduct comprehensive examinations, diagnosis and implementation of treatment plans, admission orders, discharge summaries, ordering special labs, and radiographic studies Provide medical education/counseling to patients & their families Verify, establish, and assure that identified pre-operative surgical requirements are met, assure appropriate arrangements have been established for admission, and coordinate inpatient activities on the floor Primarily responsible for admissions and medical care of patients Assist the surgeon in the operating room, including prepping and draping, and first or second assist in surgery Perform bedside procedures including placement of arterial lines, swan-ganz catheters and central lines, bronchoscopy, changing of tracheostomy tubes, wound care and debridement, thoracentesis, removal of chest tubes, temporary pacing wires, intra-aortic balloon pump, central lines, arterial lines, and drains Demonstrate ability to diagnose and treat cardiothoracic surgery patients seen in consultation with other health care providers Promote patient care programs for the cardiothoracic surgery patient and periodically update them based upon current and new concepts, research, as well as findings of the attending physician Integrates the activities of the cardiothoracic surgery service with other patient care programs at the facility Manage a task force for Quality Assurance within cardiothoracic section Coordinate holistic inpatient and outpatient care, identification of problems, issues, conflicts or barriers to uneventful patient care Conduct problem solving to formulate a patient care plan to avoid these issues preoperatively while coordinating with social work Establish and maintain relationships with social work, rehabilitation, medical, and dietary services throughout the facility for improved efficient patient care Surgical Intensive Care Duties Considers factors related to safety, effectiveness, and cost in planning and delivering care Obtains history, physical examination, and assessment of ongoing patient needs through effective use of the nursing process to make practice decisions in an ethical manner Orders and interprets routine laboratory tests, diagnostic studies, and radiographic tests Performs diagnostic and stabilization procedures as necessary based on ACLS Collaborates with respiratory therapy and nursing for airway management and ventilator weaning Writes orders for laboratory work, medications, and treatments in compliance with hospital policies Communicates with Surgical Service physicians' patient problems and status updates Participates in and prepares discharge planning needs for SICU patients through communication with team members, patients, families, and consultants Documents relevant laboratory data, study results, patient care, pertinent procedures, and patient updates within notes Demonstrates competence with placement and removal of enteral feeding tubes, central venous catheters, arterial lines, swan ganz catheters, sutures, drains/tubes Assists with and performs invasive procedures including, central lines, arterial lines, bronchoscopy, PEG tube placement, and percutaneous tracheostomy Collaborates with physicians, nurses, and other members of the health care team using effective communication and interpersonal skills to develop and maintain interdisciplinary teamwork Identifies 'at risk' individuals in need of referrals Maintains accurate, timely medical records Participates in performance measures through documentation and data collection/reporting Acts as a patient advocate Assists in investigation and documentation of patient issues and concerns Identifies individual differences as related to the physiological, cultural, and psychological aspects of maturational development Bases ones practice on research and participates in clinical research projects Demonstrates ability to multi-task and prioritize patient care needs VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards. Pay: Competitive salary, annual performance bonus, regular salary increases Paid Time Off: 50-55 days of paid time off per year (26 days annual leave, 13 days sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year and possible 5 day paid absence for CME) Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) CME: Possible $1,000 per year reimbursement (must be full-time with board certification) Malpractice: Free liability protection with tail coverage provided Contract: No Physician Employment Contract and no significant restriction on moonlighting Recruitment Incentive: May be authorized for qualified applicants."]

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