The New Mexico VA Health Care System Division of Infectious Diseases in Albuquerque is seeking a dynamic Physician Assistant who will work as the Associate Hospital Epidemiologist and Associate Medical Director of Infection Prevention and Control. The person in this role would also assume some hospital inpatient and outpatient responsibilities depending on needs of the Infectious Disease Division. 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 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. 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: Related board certification in Infection Control (C.I.C.) Related education, such as, master's degree (or graduate certificate) in hospital/healthcare epidemiology (or infectious disease epidemiology), infection prevention & control. Related training, such as clinical rotations in hospital epidemiology and/or infection prevention & control Related experience, such as working as a hospital epidemiologist or infection preventionist in a healthcare facility/setting Grade Determinations: Physician Assistant-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. 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. 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. 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 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. Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting (45 lbs and over); Heavy carrying (45 lbs and over): Straight pulling and pushing; reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; both hands required; walking and standing up to 8 hours; repeated bending; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; hearing aid permitted. ["VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards The ideal candidate has a strong background in clinical medicine and or hospital epidemiology as well as leadership experience working with Infection Control. The NMVAHCS is an equal opportunity employer. The functions of the position include, but are not limited to: Help perform comprehensive surveillance for healthcare-associated infections and epidemiologically significant organisms. Help identify and investigate clusters or outbreaks of infection. Help analyze procedure and device-associated infections. Help apply data analytics to drive process improvement. Assists creating evidence-based interventions to prevent healthcare-associated infections. Help evaluate methods and technologies to reduce transmission of pathogens within the institution. Help create and maintain appropriate infection control policies, procedures and programs designed to meet the goals and objectives of the Infection Prevention Program. Partner with Hospital epidemiologist and Chief, Quality, Safety and Value (QSV) to improve the performance of infection control staff who are based in QSV. Work with the hospital epidemiologist to maintain educational programs regarding infection control for all hospital employees, physicians, and trainees. Help evaluate patient care practices for effectiveness and application to Infection Prevention. Help communicate the needs and plans of the Infection Prevention Program to staff of patient care units as well as clinical and other services. Help provide consultation to health care providers in the assessment and management of patients and employees with communicable diseases. Help provide input for the content and scope of occupational health and safety programs related to infection control and prevention. Serve as resource person to hospital staff. Performs initial consultation and physical exam to evaluate for medical conditions requiring Infectious Diseases expertise. Provides specialty Infectious Disease Medicine health care in a collaborative practice with physicians and other allied health care providers. Manages cases according to established protocols and applies the standard of practice level of care to patients under the care of Infectious Diseases. Ability to clinically evaluate facility patient care delivery systems and validate or identify barriers to safe and effective patient care. Proficiency in, or willingness to learn the computerized medical record model used in the Department of Veterans Affairs healthcare system. Maintains case histories, medical reports and other records as necessary. Updates knowledge on Infectious Disease Medicine and Infection control through continuing education opportunities. Initiates/participates in quality improvement activities that result in improved outcomes. Initiates interdisciplinary projects to improve organizational performance. Evaluates practice of self and others using professional standards, relevant statutes and regulations. Takes action to improve performance. Uses professional standards of care and practice to evaluate programs and/or service activities. Serve on required VA facility committees. Pay: Competitive salary, regular salary increases, potential for performance awards Paid Time Off: 50 days of paid time off per year (26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) 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 Work Schedule: Full time, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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