Duties

Summary

A Physician Assistant assigned to the Referral Coordination Team (RCT) aligned under the Group Practice Manager (GPM) will meet basic requirements and hold a degree satisfactory to the Administrator, meet the physical standards as described by the Administrator and will be licensed to practice without restrictions in a state or territory of the United States. All Physician Assistants will meet the qualifications as stated below.
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Responsibilities

Duties and Responsibilities: Referral Coordination Operations Manager will be responsible for, but not limited to, day-to-day execution and real-time management of the Referral Coordination Initiative (RCI) operations at the local level, which includes:

Ensure the RCTs is adhering to the requirements as outlined in the VHA Referral Coordination Initiative Implementation Guidebook.

Direct supervisory authority and responsibility for the management, guidance, and coordination of all operational elements for the following RCT team members: Nursing, Advanced Practice Practitioners, and Medical Support Staff.

Responsible for the performance of subordinate staff, taking action to reward, promote, recognize or correct staff as warranted by evaluating performance.

Provide day-to-day oversight and supervision of all RCI and RCT operations, overseeing operations of the RCTs who are managing specialty care referrals for the facility.

Ensure relevant information is communicated across specialty services, with an aim to provide Veterans with appropriate and timely care options.

Disseminate information and communication materials to staff.

Maintain, enhance and troubleshoot Referral Coordination Team (RCT) operations.

Identify operational barriers, keeping the Executive Leadership Team (ELT) abreast of such barriers via the GPM.

Identify possible barriers to care with the Veteran, family and clinical care team to provide a team-based plan of care; and

Enhance the quality of clinical outcomes and Veteran satisfaction while offering the Veteran the opportunity to make an informed decision about their care.

Provide feedback on overall operations and ways to improve existing processes and new implementations moving forward.

Provide tactical and supervisory support to the RCT members, both clinically, administratively, and analytical.

Utilize established outcome metrics form operational and impact measures.

Identify opportunities for additional focus: frequent huddles with RCT leadership, Service Chiefs, and Section Chiefs to discuss key findings or trends.

Course correct implementation of new processes and requirements into the RCI.

Ensure the RCT is meeting the timely medical needs of Veterans served at the Salem Healthcare System.

Reduce the average time it takes to schedule appointments, whether the appointment is in the VA's direct care system or in the community.

Empower Veterans with key information to help them make more informed decisions about where to receive that care.

Remove non-value-added steps to optimize the use of clinical staff for the benefit of the Veteran.

Maximize the interaction with the Veteran to identify needs and gather preferences to ensure that appropriate modality of care is offered.

Provide clinical and administrative consultation and ongoing education to Primary Care and Specialty Care.

Other duties as assigned and deemed necessary to meet the needs of the Medical Center.

Responsible for collecting and analyzing data, as well as completing and submitting assigned suspense's and reports to the VISN.

Customer Service:
Relationships with management, co-workers, patients, and the general public are consistently courteous, respectful, and cooperative in nature.
Incumbent will display a cooperative attitude and will effectively work together to implement the organization's mission and goals.
Incumbent will ensure productivity is maintained at the established level for the program for which he/she is responsible.
Promote a positive image of veterans and the Department of Veteran Affairs.

Computer Security :
Protects printed and electronic files containing sensitive data in accordance with the provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974 and other applicable laws, Federal regulations, VA statutes and policy, and VHA policy. Protects the data from unauthorized release or from loss, alteration, or unauthorized deletion. Follows applicable regulations and instructions regarding access to computerized files, release of access codes, etc.
Uses word processing software to execute several office automation functions such as storing and retrieving electronic documents and files; activating printers; inserting and deleting text, formatting letters, reports, and memoranda; and transmitting and receiving e-mail. Uses the Veterans Health Information and Technology Architecture (VistA) to access information in the Medical Center Computer System.

Drug Testing Position:
Pin accordance with criteria contained in Executive Order 12564, this position has been determined as "sensitive" for drug testing purposes. VA employees in positions involving law enforcement, national security, the protection of life and property, public health or safety, or other functions requiring a high degree of trust and confidence, will be designated as subject to drug testing.

Work Schedule: Monday thru Friday, 7:45am to 4:30pm EST
Financial Discloser Report: Not required

Travel Required

Not required

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
None

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• U.S. Citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• Designated and/or random drug testing required
• 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 a background/security investigation
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination

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 Required Qualifications (Per Handbook 5005) Physician Assistant

• Must be a citizen of the United States. United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• The Physician Assistant is a graduate of a PA training program, which is certified by CAHEA. Additionally, the Physician Assistant must maintain current certification by NCCPA. Clinical and administrative competence and skills are evidenced by postgraduate experience in progressively more complex patient assignments over at least four years. Individual maintains credentialing for procedural assignments.
• At least one-year experience with Ambulatory Care and/or Internal Medicine.

Must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 USC 7402(d), 7407(d). Preferred Qualifications

• Minimum of at least two years of successful practice as a Physician Assistant providing medical care to patients
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with other disciplines
• Demonstrated excellence in written/verbal communication and time management
• Demonstrated ability to use computer systems in support of patient care delivery

Preferred Level of Education Physician Assistant
Masters in Physician Assistant Preferred Certification(s) BLS
Reference: VA HANDBOOK 5005/78 SEPTEMBER 5, 2014 PART II APPENDIX G8 II-G8-2. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office.

Physical Requirements: The position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring Veterans and objects may be required. May be required to don protective equipment in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures. Responsible for the reprocessing of reusable medical equipment, according to the medical center policies. Required to use available safe patient handling lifting devices in all clinical areas. May also be exposed to Veterans who are combative, secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on 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: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/ . 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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html .

Additional information

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

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.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

If you are unable to apply online view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application .

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, résumé, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

NOTE: A formal pay-setting process will be used to determine your salary. The salary may be at any point in the range listed for this vacancy.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Not Required

Drug test required
Yes

Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

Trust determination process
Credentialing , Suitability/Fitness

Required Documents

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

• VA Form 10-2850c
• Resume

VA Form 10-2850c can be found at: http://www.va.gov/vaforms/search_action.asp?FormNo=2850&tkey=&Action=Search .

The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please use this checklist to ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc.

• Cover Letter
• DD-214/ Statement of Service
• Disability Letter (VA)
• VA Form 10-2850c
• Professional Certification
• Resume
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit http://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/vetpref/index.aspx .

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education .

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.