Summary

The Compensation and Pension Examiner provides disability - pension and/or registry examinations of Veterans according to VHA - VBA and Salisbury VA standards. This PA will be fully qualified and certified to function this role and in accordance with the guidelines and policies of the Salisbury VAMC.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position - you must meet the basic requirements as well as any additional requirements (if applicable) listed in the job announcement. Applicants pending the completion of training or license requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Currently employed physician(s) in VA who met the requirements for appointment under the previous qualification standard at the time of their initial appointment are deemed to have met the basic requirements of the occupation. 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)a) Experience and Education. None beyond the

Basic Requirements:

• 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: 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)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 - 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 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: 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)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 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
• (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: 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
• Reference: Physician Assistant Qualification Standard
• This can be found in the local Human Resources Office
• 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
• For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: The incumbent must be able to perform all activities of the position without restriction
• This position may involve standing - walking - stooping - bending - reaching - lifting - and turning
• The work may involve going up and down flights of stairs.

Duties

• This individual is delegated the authority and responsibility in his/her area of expertise to assume major clinical - consultative - educational - research - and administrative duties and assignments related to the examination of claimants filing compensation and pension claims
• Clinical: 1
• Primary focus of practice is the independent clinical evaluation of veterans for disability - pension - environmental hazard and/or registry examinations 2
• Examinations are documented using standardized formats including CAPRI - and DBQs 3
• Utilizes and promotes approved standards of examination - procedures - methods and techniques - safety precautions and protocols in their application to this population in all settings
• 4
• Collaborates with other health care resources to fully evaluate requested conditions sufficient for purposes - of disability rating - determination of eligibility for pension or other benefits and registry evaluations 5
• Keeps abreast of latest trends - skills - procedures - and protocols relevant in specialty and serves as a resource person for the medical center staff
• Administrative: 1
• Participates in Quality Improvement activities 2
• Participates and attends medical center committees as assigned by Associate Chief of Staff Ambulatory Care Education/Research: 1
• Participates as requested in education of clinical staff - including but not limited to physicians - physician assistants - nurse practitioners - and support staff in the theory - practice and implementation of Compensation & Pension and Special Registry exams
• 2
• Assures self-development responsibilities and maintains current knowledge of trends in clinical care and the theory - evidence base and implementation of shared medical appointments 3
• Participates in clinical research programs when appropriate
• Supervisory Controls: The incumbent is directly responsible to the Chief - Compensation and Pension
• In the clinic - assignments evolve from the flow of work and the PA provides care without detailed instructions
• The PA will work collaboratively and under the direction of clinicians and administrative leadership in the Compensation and Pension section
• Administrative assignments may be assigned by supervisor or self-generated
• Work is reviewed for timely delivery of compensation and pension evaluative services and high quality exams consistent with standardized practices
• 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 of annual leave - 13 days of 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) Licensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory 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 Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 8:00am - 4:30pm Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required