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The P&LMS Physician Assistant will be responsible for generating P&LMS examination reports utilizing Anatomic Pathology dictation templates. Performs all elements of gross examination and sectioning of all types of surgical pathology specimens including describing gross anatomic features of and dissecting surgical specimens and submitting tissue for histologic processing. . 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 United States Citizenship: Citizen of the United States [in accordance with section 7402(c) to title 38, United States Code (U.S.C.). Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified candidates in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a).] 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). NOTE: Current and continuous certification by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) is no longer required for employment in VHA. If a PA is certified by the NCCPA, but not licensed on the effective date of the qualification standard, they are not required to obtain or maintain a license to remain employed in VHA. However, if they lose or fail to maintain their NCCPA certification after this qualification standard is effective and do not possess a full, valid, and unrestricted license, they are no longer qualified for employment as a PA in VHA. Licensure. PAs 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. Exceptions for Graduate PAs. PAs who otherwise meet the basic requirements, but do not possess the required licensure, may be appointed, pending licensure, as a graduate PA on a temporary full-time appointment not-to-exceed two years under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2)(B). Graduate PAs may only be appointed at the entry grade level and may not be promoted/converted until certification is obtained. Temporary graduate PA appointments may not be extended beyond two years or converted to a new temporary appointment. Physical Requirements. Must pass a pre-employment physical. English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by VA Policy. Preferred Experience: Prior experience with Pain, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Neurology, Neurosurgery, Sports Medicine, or Orthopedics. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements stated above, the following qualification criteria must be met in determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates: 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 (KSAs). 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). 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 (KSAs). 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: The work involves regular and recurring periods of walking, standing, sitting, bending, pulling, lifting, reaching and carrying. Manual dexterity is required to operate medical equipment and perform activities such as surgery, treatments and computerized medical record documentation. ["The Physician Assistant will provide patient care serves in the anatomic pathology section with responsibilities of tissue\nexamination, grossing, ordering of tests, consultations and serves as a physician extender. Duties: Prepare and submit appropriate gross tissue sections for frozen section analysis Submit biological specimens for studies such as flow cytometry. Perform or request specialized tests, including special stains, immunohistochemical stains, specialized handling including muscle biopsies and reference laboratory testing. Assists the pathologist with autopsies such as: Inspectin of the permission form for completeness and correctness, ascertaining legal authorization for postmortem examination, Confer with the attending pathologist to identify any special techniques and procedures to be utilized in the completion of the postmortem examination (e.g. smears, histochemical, immunofluorescent, toxicological, viral or electron microscopic studies) and notify all personnel directly involved. Assist in postmortem examinations, which may include external examination; in situ organ inspection; evisceration; organ block dissection and dictation or recording of data such as organ weights, presence of body fluids and other normal or abnormal gross anatomic findings. Assists n special procedures such as brain/spinal cord removal. Presentation of the findings to the pathologist and preparation of external and internal descriptions Preparation of the body for release to the funeral home including indicating the presence of biohazards such as contagious disease, radiation implants and other information as deemed appropriate. Photography of the body, organs, microscopic slides and other pertinent data and maintenance of a teaching collection of gross photographs. Responsible for daily activities associated with processing of tissues as received from surgical procedures; participation in the education of pathology residents; and participation in the quality assurance activities that result from these processes. Responsible for the organization of and efficiency of workflow processes in the frozen section and gross examination areas. Performs gross examinations, gross description and dissection of tissues received in Surgical Pathology and Autopsy Services. Take instruction from on-site Pathologists with respect to grossing technique and quality assessment. Perform specialized procedures such as frozen sections and decalcification; maintain and coordinate specimen and records for specialized procedures using appropriate protocols; submit request for special histological procedures when appropriate. Maintain records of surgical pathology specimen dissections and dictation; assist in the compilation of reports for surgical pathology; label and store gross tissue specimen. Photograph specimen samples as appropriate for use in instruction and documentation. maintain complete and accurate records of all gross photographs and perform other related duties incidental to the work described herein. Trains and educates laboratory personnel students and residents in the processing of surgical tissues and post-mortem examinations. Demonstrates knowledge of quality safety and compliance programs. Work Schedule: 0800-1630, Monday-Friday with rotating weekends and holidays.\nTelework: Not Available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized\nFinancial Discloser Report: Not required\nEducation Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment): Position Is Eligible adam.blas-rodriguez@va.gov\nVA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards. 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. 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. Learn more"]