Memphis VAMC-Physician Assistant (Cardiology)-91711788

Overview

The Physician Assistant (PA) - Cardiology is a clinician dedicated to delivering care for cardiology inpatient and ambulatory patients;

the primary area of responsibility will involve clinical performance and documentation of health care delivery for Veterans according to VHA standards.

• The Cardiology PA examines and assesses cardiology clinic outpatients and is responsible for participating in all aspects of care for the cardiology patient, some general medicine patients, cardiology telemedicine patients, and pacemaker and implantable cardiac defibrillator interrogation and programming.
• Responsibilities include diagnosis, management, treatment, telephone consultation, patient triage, telemedicine, and cardiac device-related problems.

The Cardiology PA works in close collaboration with Attending Cardiologists, Cardiology Fellows, other Cardiology RNPs, Cath / EP Lab RNs, and support staff.

• This individual is delegated the authority and responsibility in their area of expertise to assume clinical, consultative, educational, research, and administrative duties under the supervision of the collaborating physician.
• The PA practices cardiology with a focus on preventative care, screenings, and inpatient and outpatient specialty clinical care.

Approximately 90% of the PA's time is dedicated to developing and maintaining an interdisciplinary approach to the care of cardiology patients.

Various and diverse ambulatory clinic locations mean that the PA's assessment skills and breadth of knowledge must be superior.

In addition, the PA must be a highly effective communicator to negotiate with consultants at the VAMC regarding the triaging of patients referred if applicable.

The Cardiology PA assesses patients, performs histories and physicals, orders and interprets diagnostic and therapeutic tests / studies, initiates consults and referrals, prescribes medications, and formulates, initiates, and evaluates health care teaching for cardiac patients and their families.

In addition to seeing patients in the clinic, the Cardiology PA may be required to also perform exercise treadmill tests and supervise the medical portion of cardiac nuclear stress tests.

• Provide comprehensive guideline-directed evidence-based care to patients with heart diseases including coronary artery disease (CAD) and structural heart interventions.
• Manages cardiology consults by reviewing, triaging, and completing consults including electronic cardiology consults.
• Order appropriate diagnostic procedures and acts on results.
• Prescribes individualized pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions for the treatment of CAD and structural heart concerns and related medical problems for the promotion of quality of life, wellness, and improved outcomes as demonstrated by reduction of hospitalizations and / or urgent care visits.
• Educate patients, significant others, and affiliated medical center staff on health care issues (i.e. medications, diet, lifestyle changes and follow-up).
• Facilitate the completion of informed consent prior to the procedure.
• Admits and discharges patients to OBS units, outpatient or inpatient status post invasive / interventional cardiac procedures.

Job Requirements

Physician Assistant 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.
• 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;

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.
• 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.

• Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service.
• English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f).
• 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.

Community Description

We are united as an organization to deliver on President Lincoln’s promise to honor and care for the brave men and women who put their lives on the line to protect our country.

VA’s culture is defined through a set of core values, which remind us and others that I CARE : integrity, commitment, advocacy, respect and excellence.

Every day, we’re dedicated to showing how much we care for our Veterans.

Each year, VA serves over 9 million Veterans in 1,200+ health care facilities spread throughout all 50 states, the District of Columbia and U.S. territories.

VA is a leader in clinical innovation and surgical quality, performing about 400,000 procedures annually.

Over 7,000 training programs in affiliation with over 1,800 educational institutions means endless opportunities to grow your skills and advance your career at VA.