Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval - award amount (up to $200 -000) & eligibility period (1-5 years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.

Duties

• Major duties for the Physician Assistant - Substance Use Disorders Treatment Program Director include - but are not limited to: Supervision of interdisciplinary staff SDTP Program oversite Direct patient care to include: Performing histories and physical examinations
• Providing and coordinating medical care for assigned patients in any care setting including establishing diagnoses - formulating and implementing care plans - and follow-up care
• Screening patients to determine the need for further health care
• Ordering diagnostic studies - and other special tests such as MRI - CT Scans - etc
• Carrying out health promotions - disease prevention activities - and patient education
• Ordering or obtaining laboratory specimens
• Ordering ancillary services
• (For example: Pharmacy - Social Services - Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation therapies - Prosthetic Services etc.) Ordering VA specialty service consults and initiating requests for non-VA (fee basis/community care) consults in accordance with VHA and local facility policy and procedures
• Ordering patient care supplies
• Writing orders for or prescribing medications
• See paragraph below: Writing Medication Orders or Prescriptions
• Admitting and discharging patients in conjunction with - or on behalf of the collaborating physician - conducting patient rounds - documenting progress notes and summaries in the patient record - and writing patient orders on assigned patients
• The PA may be delegated the task of documenting the discharge summary - but the collaborating physician must write a discharge note - or sign the discharge summary of the PA in accordance with The Joint Commission standards
• Other patient record entries by PAs including physical examinations - progress notes - service consults - Compensation and Pension evaluations - and patient orders do not require physician co-signature unless specifically required by Federal law - VA policy - hospital bylaws or applicable external accrediting bodies
• Obtaining and documenting informed consent for treatments and procedures (ordering or performing) for which the PA is responsible
• The PA need not participate in the particular procedure the patient is scheduled to undergo but the PA must be authorized to perform or participate in the procedure by their Scope of Practice
• and - must have sufficient knowledge and training in the treatment or procedure - its indications - risk and benefits - complications - and alternative treatments to effectively counsel the patient
• Providing education and counseling of patients and families in preventive care - medical conditions - and the use of prescribed treatments and drugs
• Under direct supervision of the collaborating physician - the physician assistant may assist the collaborating physician in any procedure that the collaborating physician is privileged to perform at the Houston VAMC
• The PA may provide care in non -traditional health care settings - such as Telehealth - secure messaging - and DEMPS
• Sign death certificates following state policy
• Receive - triage - and complete consults for their respective service
• Perform minor procedures- including - but not limited to - staple removal - suture removal - minor wound care - and dressing changes
• Provide care for psychiatric/substance abuse disorders
• Prescribe medications and provide treatment for mental health patients with serious mental illness in mental health specialty settings
• VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 7:30 am - 4:00 pm
• Subject to change based on the needs of the facility
• Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact Contact Gloria.Whitfield-Devonish@va.gov - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
• Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized