PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT (ORTHOPEDIC)

Summary The PA will be fully qualified and certified to function in both a clinical and administrative role and in accordance with the guidelines and policies of the Ann Arbor Veterans Affairs Medical Center in the Surgery Service. This individual is delegated the authority and responsibility inhis/her area of expertise to assume major clinical, consultative, educational, research, and administrative duties and assignments related to this care. Responsibilities VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. Some core duties include: Administrative/Clinical Duties: Evaluate and treat Veterans with Orthopedic conditions and initiate consultation and follow up Coordinating/assisting Fee Based Providers with VA administrative requirements Assisting Fee Bases Providers in clinic Assisting/instructing residents with entering orders, consults, scheduling surgery, Oracle navigation and VA administrative needs Answering phone calls and phone messages re: Veteran care Calling Veterans when necessary Respond to a multitude of emails re: clinical/administrative issues Coordinating and scheduling out-patient studies Coordination of care/communication with NVCC for PT/OT/Home health care (review and sign plans of care, complete face-to-face documentation, entering NVCC data, faxing Rx for treatment) Coordinating operative schedule (review OR cases to be sure IMPACT completed, MRSA screens done, orders and consent in Oracle, order and coordinate implants and Vendor coverage for case) Enter X-ray orders for upcoming clinics Coordinate clinic schedules and patient scheduling Triage and review new patient consult requests and ensure appropriate scheduling (review Oracle/vista web notes, review Vista Imaging and/or Philiips iSite imaging) Periodic Orthopedic resident orientation Complete TMS trainings Resolve clinic/OR PA coverage issues when necessary Periodic review and revision of resident orientation materials and PCP agreement Manage Orthopedic clinic inventory Implements processes for the Orthopedic outpatient clinic development of efficiency, outcomes, and the overall general function of this clinic. Facilitates response/action to patient inquiries to care and treatment by the Orthopedic staff for the Chief of Orthopedics. Assist the Orthopedic department in requesting and obtaining equipment and supplies that are needed for the clinic and well as operating room through the Orthopedics Administrative Officer. Functions as the liaison between other subspecialties and departments within the VAMC as it relates to care and treatment of Orthopedic issues. Other administrative or clinical duties as assigned by the Chief of Orthopedics, attendings, Senior AO or Chief of Surgery. Coordinate clinic schedules and patient scheduling Triage and review new patient consult requests and ensure appropriate scheduling (review Oracle/vista web notes, review Vista Imaging and/or Philiips iSite imaging) Periodic Orthopedic resident orientation Complete TMS trainings Resolve clinic/OR PA coverage issues when necessary Periodic review and revision of resident orientation materials and PCP agreement Manage Orthopedic clinic inventory Clinical Primary focus is the coordination of the Orthopedic Department in its care and treatment of outpatients and inpatients assigned to the Orthopedic department. Evaluates inpatients/outpatients and writes up consults, assessments, and plans in the patient's chart. Writes orders for patient care, evaluation and treatment plans in accordance with the individuals Scope of Practice and under the authority of the Chief of Orthopedics or their designee. Applies and remove casts, splints, dressings, braces and various other devices used in the treatment of orthopedic patients. Performs general patient counseling, education and pre- and post-operative patient planning. Performs pre-surgical history and physical exams, admission orders, discharge summaries and operative procedures that they are involved with. Assist with surgical procedures in the operating room under the supervision of surgical staff. Prescribe medications as allowed by the Ann Arbor VAMC and in c/w the VHA PA prescribing directive. Order and interpret medical tests and x-rays to include specialty procedures (MRI's, CAT, Myelograms, Nuclear Medicine studies etc.) Liaison with associated hospital services for continuity of care such as Physical Medicine and Rehab, Physical and Occupational Therapy, Radiology, and Primary Care Injection Clinic Duties: Obtain imed consent Perform time-out Prepare injection site and perform joint injection Patient education pre and post injection Schedule for follow up Document procedure and encounter in Oracle OR Coverage Duties: Perform preop H&Ps and document in Oracle Obtain imed consents in Oracle Ensure Code status note in Oracle Answer patient questions re: surgery Ensure x-rays accessed via Phillips iSite Assist with patient positioning and prep First assist on surgical procedure Independent wound closure/dressing Assist with patient transfer off surgical table (remove traction, etc..) and transport to PACU Input post-operative orders and OR procedure note into Oracle Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 0700-1600 Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized 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. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements ( Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation/examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). You may be required to serve a probationary period. Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. 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. 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. English Language Proficiency- Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). Physician Assistant Minimum Qualifications 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). 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. Impaired Licensure. A PA who has, or has ever had, any license(s) revoked, suspended, denied, restricted, limited, or issued/placed in a probationary status may be appointed only in accordance with the provisions of chapter 3, section B, paragraph 13 of this part. 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. Exceptions for Graduate PAs. (a) 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).(b) Graduate PAs may only be appointed at the entry grade level and may not be promoted/converted until certification is obtained.(c) Temporary graduate PA appointments may not be extended beyond two years or converted to a new temporary appointment Preferred Experience: Orthopedic experience, surgical and/or MSK experience preferred Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit The full performance level of this vacancy is PA-III. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of PA-I to PA-III 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: 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: 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. 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.