Job Summary

The Director of Physician Assistant Student Education position at the George E. Wahlen VA Medical Center, is based on the current establishment of the Physician Assistant Clinical Trainee Program supported by the COS. The Director is responsible for the management, structure and administration of the PA Clinical Trainee Program, ensuring the program complies with VA OAA standards and accrediting bodies of sponsoring affiliated institutions while activities are being held at VHA site.

Job Description

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 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: Experience with Medical Education or Education program management within healthcare. Preferably with Physician Assistants. Experience with PACT or Primary Care. Grade Determinations: Physician Assistant-IV (PA-IV). PA (Facility Education Lead or Residency Program Director). PA Facility Education Leads and PA Residency Program Directors are responsible for the management, structure, and administration of the PA clinical trainee program. They ensure programs comply with VA Office of Academic Affiliations standards and accrediting bodies of sponsoring affiliated institutions while activities are being held at VA facilities. PA Education Leads and PA Residency Program Directors develop, implement, and enhance PA clinical education training programs. Experience. PA Facility Education Leads and PA Residency Program Directors require five years of experience, which include educational assignments, such as proctoring PAs or medical students, setting up continuing medical education for local VHA PAs or participating in community health events; serving as a PA director or assistant in a VHA residency program or stipend program; or serving as a member or staff of an academic PA program. 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-IV: Ability to develop and update VA PA clinical rotation guidelines within each clinical specialty to ensure students and preceptors understand the responsibilities prior to and upon completion of each clinical rotation. Skills to maintain student evaluations and oversee changes that facilitate continuous enhancements and improvements of PA trainee clinical experiences. Ability to give quality systematic feedback to the practitioner within a broad range of medical and surgical experiences that meets ARC-PA and affiliated institutional standards. Ability to support trainees to allow open and ongoing feedback regarding collaborating practitioner, the training program, and VA site as a method of continuous improvement. Skill to properly record and maintain established affiliation agreements and subsequent supporting documents required for VA clinical training programs. Skill to maintain close relationships and open and ongoing communication with academic affiliates PA program directors and clinical coordinators participating in the PA trainee program. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. A PA IV position exceeds the full performance level expected of VHA PAs. This grade is based on the assigned duties of the position and is not an entitlement. If a PA is selected for a PA IV position, then later leaves the position, they do not retain the PA IV (unless the new position also qualifies as a PA IV position). Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service.