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.
Grade Determinations:
a.
Full Grade. In addition to the basic requirements, individuals appointed to this grade must meet the following:
(1) Experience / Education. None beyond the basic requirements.
(2) Clinical Competencies
(a) Clinical Proficiency
1. Provides effective care to patients characterized by the use of sound judgment in assessing, planning, implementing, documenting, and evaluating patient care for assigned patients. This includes possessing the skill and competency to obtain thorough medical histories, perform comprehensive physical examinations, order appropriate diagnostic studies, interpret and analyze medical data, establish diagnoses, formulate and implement treatment plans, and modify treatment plans when appropriate
.2. Works effectively and makes appropriate requests for assistance from the assigned physician andrecognizes complex patient care situations where referral is appropriate.
3. References quality improvement information/organizes patient care needs to assure safe, efficient and cost-effective care.
4. Initiates effective actions in emergencies.
(b) Professional Development
1. Obtains additional knowledge and skills appropriate to the practice setting to improve performance.
2. Provides patient education in an effective manner.
(c) Ethics. Safeguards patient privacy and confidentiality. Provides care in a nonjudgmental, nondiscriminatory manner respecting the patient's values and beliefs.
(d) Interpersonal Skills. Works effectively with patients, families, caregivers, and other professional and support personnel.
(e) Research
1. Demonstrates awareness of research application to practice.
2. Researches medical literature and applies evidenced-based medicine to improve clinical practice
.b.
Intermediate Grade. In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must meet all requirements described in this standard for Full Grade through VA employment or non-VA PA positions with equivalent scope and complexity. Individuals appointed or advanced to Intermediate Grade will have demonstrated the ability to analyze and solve more complex medical problems and meet the following requirements:
(1) Experience / Education(a) 1 year of professional practice as a PA; or(b) Successful completion of a PA post-graduate residency program accredited by ARC-PA or by the U.S. Armed Forces; or(c) A Master's degree from a PA training program certified by ARC-PA or in another health-related field from an accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
(2) Clinical Competencies(a) Clinical Proficiency1. Effectively treats patients with more complex medical problems requiring a higher degree of clinical skill and competency than that expected of the previous grade.
2. Performs more complex diagnostic and therapeutic procedures requiring skills and competency, as applicable to the assignment, beyond that expected in the previous grade.
3. Practices with a higher degree of autonomy and seeks guidance from the assigned physician less frequently than expected of the previous grade.
4. Evaluates the delivery system of patient care within the area of assignment, presents findings and recommendations, and contributes to changes that enhance the quality and timeliness of care.
(b) Professional Development
1. Acquires knowledge and skills to maintain expertise in area of practice.
2. Shares medical literature research findings with colleagues to enhance patient care delivery.
3. Participates in educational activities to improve clinical knowledge and enhance role performance.
4. Serves as a clinical preceptor to healthcare students.
5. Serves on service level committees or subcommittees when assigned.
(c) Ethics
1. Identifies medical ethical issues and takes appropriate actions.
2. Supports and enhances patient self-determination.
(d) Interpersonal Skills. Collaborates effectively with other occupations and services to identify, analyze, and resolve patient care problems.(e) Research
1. Shares medical literature research findings with colleagues to enhance patient care delivery.
2. Uses a body of research to validate or change group practice
.c.
Senior Grade. In addition to meeting the basic requirements, candidates must meet all requirements described in this standard for Intermediate Grade through VA employment or non-VA PA positions with equivalent scope and complexity. Individuals appointed or advanced to Senior Grade will have demonstrated the behaviors or responsibilities listed in one or more of the following categories: Clinical Proficiency, Education, Professional Development, Management/Administrative, and Research, as applicable to the assignment
(1) Experience / Education(a) 3 years of professional practice as a PA; or
(b) 2 years of professional practice as a PA and successful completion of a PA post-graduate residency program accredited by ARC-PA or by the U.S. Armed Forces; or
(c) 2 years of professional practice as a PA and a Master's degree from a PA training program certified by ARC-PA or in another health-related field from an accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education;
or(d) A Doctoral degree in a health-related field from an accredited college or university recognized by the U. S. Department of Education.
(2) Management/Administrative. One of the following responsibilities must be demonstrated:(a) Evaluates service level patient care delivery systems and validates or identifies barriers to safe, effective care. Presents findings and recommendations to appropriate management officials and participates in implementation of changes.
(b) Manages patient quality management data bases such as the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) if assigned.
(c) Serves on service or facility committees/task forces if applicable to the assignment.
(d) Coordinates consult referrals within the service assigned.
(e) Coordinates and facilitates inter-service agreements.
(3) Clinical Competencies(a) Clinical Proficiency
1. Manages patients with complex or multi-system medical problems.
2. Practices with a significant degree of autonomy and seeks guidance from assigned physicians with less frequency than expected at the previous grade.
3. Performs more complex diagnostic and therapeutic procedures beyond what is expected at the previous grade.
4. First or second assists in surgical procedures.
(b) Professional Development
1. Acts as a consultant/mentor to PAs in lower grades and other clinical and support staff.
2. Serves as a clinical preceptor for students or organizes and participates in facility clinical educational programs.3. Makes sustained contribution to health care by sharing expertise within and/or outside the medical facility.
(c) Ethics. Identifies and addresses ethical issues that impact patients and staff including participation in ethics consultations if appropriate to the area of assignment.
(d) Interpersonal Skills
1. Communicates and collaborates effectively with other facility staff and outside institutions when applicable to the area of assignment.
2. Effectively promotes the physician assistant profession to health care staff, patients and other stakeholders at the local level.
3. Makes significant contributions which serve to enhance the distinctive role of PAs within the local institution and the health care system.
(e) Research
1. Collaborates with others in research activities to improve patient care, or;
2. Authors, or collaborates with others, on a paper or study for publication.