Career Center

The VA North Texas Health Care Center, Dallas, Texas is currently recruiting for a Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant for the Anesthesiology & Pain Management Clinic. Candidates are encouraged to apply to the vacancy announcement that matches their specific occupation/discipline (Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant and must meet the qualification requirements for the occupation/discipline. Nurse Practitioner (CAZM-11511233-22-HL) 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: 3+ years of Surgical/OR nursing experience (circulating, scrubbing in) suture skills and experience with placement of SCS/IT pumps are a plus 3+ years of experience scheduling surgical cases and case coordination including dealing with vendors and logistics. 3+ years of experience as NP/PA-taking patient history, performing physical exams, and assessing/formulating treatment plans in light of review and interpretation of objective data for patients with chronic pain issues. Experience with management of PCA, epidurals, and regional anesthetic catheters. Grade Determinations: Physician Assistant-I (PA-I) (a) Experience and Education. None beyond the basic requirements. This is the entry level for PAs. (b) 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: i. Ability to utilize the principles of PA practice in the care of assigned patients to provide appropriate care. ii. Ability to perform patient history and physical. iii. Ability to formulate a plan and provide treatment to the patient. iv. Ability to provide patient care that is abreast of changing concepts and advancements in the profession. Physician Assistant-II (PA-II) (a) 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 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. OR iii. A doctoral degree in a health-related field from an accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. (b) 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: i. Skills to analyze and solve complex medical problems. ii. Ability to function autonomously and make independent medical decisions. iii. Skill to incorporate training and experience into the successful practice of patient care including telehealth medical care. iv. Ability to work effectively in an interdisciplinary environment for improvement of services for patient care. v. Ability to practice with colleagues and peers collaboratively. 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 multidisciplinary 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 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. 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. (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. 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 03. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 01 to 03. Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting and carrying, 15-44 pounds; Pulling hand over hand (8-12hrs); Pushing (8-12hrs); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking (8-12hrs); Standing (8-12hrs); Kneeling (8-12hrs); Repeated bending (8-12hrs); Climbing, use of legs and arms; Both legs required; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; Ability to distinguish basic colors; Hearing (aid may be permitted) ["The Nurse Practitioner/Physician Assistant duties include but are not limited to the following: Performs initial histories and physical examinations on patients, concurrence to be noted or addendum as indicated by primary and pain physicians. Orders laboratory test, X-rays, and appropriate non-invasive diagnostic tests. Conducts evaluations and progress notes on patients presenting to pain clinic, both for initial and follow-up visits in the patients' record. Nurse Practitioner/Physician Assistant assigned to the Pain Clinic shall be authorized and given access to all clinical tools necessary to process referral consults sent to the Pain Clinic. Nurse Practitioner/Physician Assistant will also be authorized to evaluate, diagnose, and implement treatment plans on referral consult patients under the supervision of Pain Clinic Staff Attending Physicians as documented by appropriate co-signatures. Will accumulate, correlate, and present the above data on appropriate patients to the physician responsible. Performs venipuncture and arterial puncture. Performs visual screening tests. Performs standard 12 lead resting electrocardiogram. Formulates and recommend tentative diagnostic evaluations and therapeutic regimens for the physician's consideration, including possible hospitalization. Implements diagnostic evaluations and therapeutic regimens after the approval of the physician. Refers patients to other medical subspecialties when indicated. Performs comprehensive examinations for pre-op screenings. Prescribe medication in accordance with VACO and Anesthesiology and Pain Management policy using the VA North Texas Health Care System approved Formulary. Understand pharmacology of opioids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents, anti-depressants and anti-convulsant along with their side effects. Makes daily rounds to observe and record patient's medical progress, update and summarize medical records, change orders when appropriate and notify responsible physician of any significant change in the patient's condition. Provides education and counseling to the patient, patient's family, and staff on pain management techniques. Evaluates patients from clinics as needed. Assists in the OR and perform duties as designated to include interventional diagnostics and therapeutic pain procedures by responsible physician and obtain informed consents from patients for such procedures. Initiates appropriate consults to other services. Assists in all pain procedures such as epidural steroid injections, nerve blocks, radio frequency ablations, and surgical implantable devices. Performs injection procedures such as intravenous and epidural patient-controlled analgesia as designated by responsible physician. Refills and program intrathecal/epidural pumps. Check and program spinal cord stimulators. Performs simple manual waived and PPM test Work Schedule: Monday - Friday (7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.)\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]