Primary Care Physician Assistant

A PA is authorized to perform the following duties for patients in life-threatening situations where a physician is not immediately available. PA will initiate these activities but will make every effort to summon a physician as soon as possible.

• Cardiopulmonary resuscitation in accordance with current CPR standards
• Treatment of acute respiratory failure
• Treatment of life-threatening traumatic injuries.
• If ACLS certified, may initiate Advance Cardiac Life Support in accordance with current ACLS protocols, to include defibrillation/cardioversion.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Assuming primary medical responsibility for assigned patients.
• Delivering care in the home
• Assessing care needs of patients and caregivers.
• Identifying a patient's medical problems and defining the medical management.
• Prescribing medications and treatment in accordance with their individual scope of practice or delineation of privilege
• Determining the need for consultation from subspecialties.
• Determining the need for, and facilitating admission to, the VA medical facility and other transitions of care.
• Participating in the development of the individual plan of care at interdisciplinary care meetings for assigned panel of patients.
• Writing orders and prescriptions, as necessary for the care of the patient in accordance with Federal and State law, and within VA policy, using the Louis A. Johnson VAMC approved formulary, excluding controlled substances in Schedules I-II.
• Participating in the development and implementation of HBPC's process for continuous performance improvement.
• Participates in collecting and collating data required for team reports.
• Coordinates referrals and evaluation of veterans at the DC Veteran Affairs Medical Center in addition to outside VA's and private sector referrals of Veterans for evaluation and management.
• Facilitates response/actions to patient inquires for care and treatment provided by the Section.
• Other administrative duties as needed.

Work Schedule: Monday to Friday, 7:30am -4:00pm, 8:00am - 4:30pm and or 7:00 - 5:30pm, however tour of duty may change based on the needs of the facility.

Whole Health is an approach to health care that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their life to the fullest. The VA is committed to Whole Health and values Veteran and Employee health and wellbeing.   As a VA employee, you will practice Whole Health in an environment that supports personalized and proactive care.