Overview

Physician Assistant/ Supervisory Physician Assistant (GS-0603-12 – 13) - Ft Cavazos, TX

Fort Cavazos is located in the beautiful 'hill and lake' country of Central Texas between Killeen and Copperas Cove and is approximately 60 miles north of the capital city of Austin, 50 miles south of Waco, 160 miles south of Dallas, and 150 miles north of San Antonio.

Founded in 1942, this 340-sq.-mile military base is the Army's Premier Installation to train and deploy heavy forces.

A 214,968 acre installation, Fort Cavazos is now the largest active duty armored post in the U.S. Armed Forces and the only post in the United States capable of stationing and training two Armored Divisions.

The rolling, semi-arid terrain is ideal for multifaceted training and testing of military units and individuals. Additionally, the Killeen community is a model of support for Army families. There are lots of resources and networks available to assist you.

Working for the Department of Defense comes with an abundance of benefits and perks to include competitive compensation packages, paid-time off, medical benefits, student loan repayments, and retirement package with Thrift Savings Plan to include matching employer contributions. For more information, please visit the following link: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/benefits/

Responsibilities

1. CLINICAL DUTIES: Independently performs a variety of professional direct health care clinical duties within the field of general family medicine for the pediatric, adult, and geriatric patients. Assignments include a wide range from routine to exceptionally complex activities including assessing, planning, evaluating, and modifying the plan of acute and chronically ill patients.The PA makes independent decisions regarding the medical care required and, in the interpretation and evaluation of processes resulting from continuing changes in the medical field due to new technological developments or conflicting requirements. Performs a variety of duties involving the full range of complex medical care that involve isolating and defining unknown medical conditions. Secures a comprehensive and detailed health and medical history from the patient or a family member, records findings, and other ancillary materials. Using this information, makes independent clinical evaluations and recommendations in an effort to prevent complications by preventing disease occurrence or modifying its course. Examines patients and performs initial patient work-up and assessment of patients' care and treatment; and determines the need for and orders laboratory tests, X-rays, and other procedures necessary to complete assessment of the patient. Discriminates between normal and abnormal findings to recognize early stages of serious physical, emotional, or mental problems.Provides surveillance of adherence to medical and primary care practices and procedures to stabilize chronically ill patients; adjusts regimens within established protocols recognizing when to refer the patient to the physician or other primary care members. Makes decisions concerning primary care needs of patients; works collaboratively with the physician team in patient evaluation, management, and revision of therapeutic plans; and, refers extremely or selected complex medical problems to appropriate next level of specialty care or medical management. Performs outpatient surgical and non-surgical procedures as designated by credentials committee. Prescribes for and treats a variety of diseases, disorders, and injuries. Treats patients returning for routine or directed follow-up and chronic illnesses previously documented in patients' medical records. Provides a full range of emergency services or crisis intervention, including lifesaving emergency procedures, in order to stabilize a patient within the scope of practice and approved protocols.

Writes prescriptions, orders the administration of medications, dispenses medication and prescribes controlled substances in accordance with scope of practice for Physician Assistants. Performs a variety of physical examinations such as school, employment, sports, annual, retirement, discharge, reenlistment, disability separation or retirement, and other special physicals. Orders laboratory tests, X-rays, etc., and arranges for physician consultation if required. Records entries into patients records to include history and exam findings, results of laboratory tests, X-rays, and other special studies, diagnoses, and treatment plans to include any treatment rendered during visit, drugs dispensed or administered in accordance with approved protocols, tests, or procedures ordered, notations of new prescriptions or changes in dosages to old prescriptions, and consultations for further treatment or evaluation.Provides consultation, teaching, and coordination with patients and their family members regarding treatment and medical care. Evaluates the primary care aspects of patient care recognizing the impact of the care of other healthcare professionals and ancillary staff when reassessment by a physician or other staff professionals is required. Provides primary care and preventive services to healthy individuals, including guidance in common illnesses, accidents, child growth and development, alternative drug usage, etc. Evaluates the total health care needs of patients and develops plans to meet the patients' needs. Participates with the attending physician and other medical staff in interpreting and evaluating continuing changes in direct patient care, conflicting requirements, or technological development in the medical field. Plans with other professionals, and agencies involved in providing primary care services to patients and their family members, and coordinates the care provided. Incumbent independently develops new techniques and establishes criteria for providing improved, quality patient health care to clients and family members of their assigned hospital.

2. MEDICAL EDUCATION DUTIES:Provides consultation, teaching, and coordination with patients and their family members of treatment and medical care. Coordinates with patients regarding physicians' findings and diagnoses, laboratory results, follow-up treatment plan or the effect of medications prescribed in accordance with approved protocols. Provides educational management to patients and their families regarding disease processes and diagnostic tests; the therapeutic regimen including medication, diet, and follow-up care; methods of adapting medication and treatment to current lifestyles. Provides counseling to patients and their families for prevention of illness and maintenance of health in order to assist patients in attaining physical, mental, and social well-being. Oversees compliance with the preventive healthcare needs of adult patients visiting the clinic. Refers high-risk, unstable, or extremely complex patients to the physicians and emergency medicine. Performs emergency care as appropriate.

PERFORMS OTHER DUTIES AS ASSIGNED

Conditions of Employment

• Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
• A Personnel Security Investigation is required.
• This position may have specific initial background investigation and periodic re-verification requirements since its duties may require interaction with children and youth under the age of eighteen (18) years of age on a recurring basis.
• Selectees will be required to sign a statement (Condition of Employment) consenting to seasonal influenza vaccinations or must provide a recognized exemption.
• This position is a Testing Designated Position subject to pre-employment screening and random drug testing. Selectees will be required to consent to participation in random drug urinalysis testing.
• A pre-placement medical examination may be required.
• Immunization screening may be required. Hepatitis B immunization is required for all positions with direct patient contact. Applicants may be required to show proof of other immunizations depending on the type of position.
• May be required to obtain and maintain current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification through the American Red Cross. Advanced certification (e.g., ALS) does not supersede BLS.
• May be required to obtain and maintain certification in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS).
• May be required to obtain and maintain certification in Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS).
• May be required to obtain and maintain certification in Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP).
• This position may require rotating shifts (i.e. work schedule that requires employees to continuously rotate from one shift to another at predetermined intervals).
• This position may require the incumbent to work during irregular work hours which may include evenings, weekends, holidays, and/or varying work schedules.
• This position may require the incumbent to work on call during irregular work hours which may include evenings, weekends, holidays, and/or varying work schedules.
• This position may require the incumbent to work weekends and/or holidays.
• Moderate to heavy lifting up to 50 pounds may be required.
• Additional requirements may be determined as positions arise and will be communicated during the hiring process if you are selected.
• Applicants must be able to fulfill credentialing requirements and obtain and maintain appropriate/relevant clinical privileges.
• This position may require the incumbent to have tuberculosis testing.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: US Citizens

Basic Requirements for Physician Assistant/Supervisory Physician Assistant:Education: Graduation from a physician assistant educational program, accredited by the Accreditation Review Committee on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) or its predecessors, at a college, university, or educational institution that is accredited by an accrediting body or organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education at the time the degree was obtained.Certification: Successful completion of the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) examination; must maintain status as a certified physician assistant, including completion of all requirements for Continuing Medical Education (CME) and re-certification.Licensure: Applicants must possess a current, active, full, and unrestricted license or registration as a Physician Assistant from a State, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or a territory of the United States.Exemption:You are exempt from the license requirements above if you are a current federal employee occupying a position in the 0603 occupational series and have been continuously employed in this occupational series since September 27, 2017 or before. Note: You will be required to provide appropriate documentation to the respective Human Resources Office to validate your status.In addition to meeting the basic requirements above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below:GS-12 Experience: A minimum of one full year of work experience as a certified physician assistant equivalent to the GS-11 grade level.GS-13 Experience: A minimum of one full year of work experience as a certified physician assistant equivalent to the GS-12 grade level.Some federal jobs allow you to substitute your education for the required experience in order to qualify. For this job, you must meet the qualification requirement using experience alone--no substitution of education for experience is permitted.