Physician Assistant- Cardiology

About the role

The Certified Physician Assistant (PA) practices in Cardiology Service to provide a full range of services emphasizing quality, timeliness, and the advancement of the Veterans Affairs (VA) mission. This position is located at the University Drive Campus.

What you will do

• The PA is a licensed practitioner with advanced education and national certification who provides evidence-based care for a population of patients. - As a team with a Physician Cardiologist manages patients with acute and chronic cardiac care needs/health conditions, with an emphasis on health promotion and disease prevention using evidence-based practice. - Develops and implements an individualized plan to achieve optimal population health and disease management.- Demonstrates leadership and works collaboratively with the interdisciplinary team. - Coordinates and works in collaboration with physicians, peers, patients, families and allied services for appropriate diagnosing and treatment of acute and chronic cardiovascular diseases. - Order and interpret labs, tests, and diagnostic studies. - Prescribes pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions. - Initiate referrals and consultations with specialty services. - Provides education to patients and their families on cardiovascular health and disease prevention and prescribed treatment measures. - Assesses and adjusts the plan of care as needed to achieve optimal patient outcomes. - Exemplifies the ICARE core values of Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy, Respect, and Excellence. - Completes E-Consults and coordinate with physicians as needed. - Triage and complete e-consults or routes them to appropriate clinic or service. - Respond to consults, according to policy and procedure. - Determine the pathway to care including clinical evaluation and coordination of care. - Conducts telephone, face to face, VVC and CVT clinics.- Complete History and Physicals (H&P). - Rounds with cardiac surgery on post TAVR and Structural Heart patients, assist with discharge follow up/education. -Enter data in the VA VART-CL registry. - Assist with Cardiac rehabilitation acute events. - Evaluates, develops and implements treatment plans for inpatient/outpatient General Cardiology, Heart Failure, and Arrhythmia consults and provide continuity of care, including follow-up for patients seen by the cardiology fellow. - Manages General Cardiology, Heart Failure, and Arrhythmia patients following the management guidelines provided by the American Heart Association, the American College of Cardiology, Heart Failure Society of America, and the Heart Rhythm Society. - Management of diseases may include but are not limited to patients with cardiomyopathies, including ischemic disease, valvular disorders, arrhythmia, and angina. - Reinforces education on diet/fluid intake, close monitoring of weights and vitals and labs, education on abstaining from things that may have caused cardiomyopathy and education on signs and symptoms of CHF exacerbation, introducing GDMT and tailoring medications to avoid readmissions. - Closely monitors to enable early recognition of Heart Failure to current therapy and need for timely advanced therapy referral, managing outpatient inotropes, reviewing home tele notes, initiating GOC discussions and working with the palliative team with end-stage heart failure. - Manages patients during the process of Cardiac Stress Testing including the use of exercise testing or inotropes with supervision from Physician Cardiologist where needed. - Participate in the management of discharge planning needs, including ancillary services. - Provides coverage across Cardiology subspecialties in both inpatient and outpatient settings, aligned with the provider's education, training, experience, and approved privileges. - Outpatient duties will include Cardiology clinics or E-consults at both VAPHS main campus or satellite sites including the Heinz Campus, Beaver, Washington, and Monroeville CBOCs. - Uses Telemedicine technology to provide evaluation and treatment as needed. - Addresses veteran responses or queries via secure emails, secure messaging, and patient phone calls. - Works closely with other specialists, residents, interns, fellows, and primary inpatient care providers. - Precept and assist with training residents, interns, and medical students. - Performs other duties as assigned.
• VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package.
• Work Schedule: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm (with occasional weekend requirements) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements

• All qualified candidates encouraged to apply.
• Open to U.S. Citizens but non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment.
• Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (***).
• Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

Education

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: ***

If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: ***

How you will be evaluated

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC.

WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

NOTE: A formal pay-setting process will be used to determine your salary. The salary may be at any point in the range listed for this vacancy.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social).

Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

Documents you must provide

• Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV) The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position.
• Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc. Cover Letter DD-214/ Statement of Service Disability Letter (Schedule A) Disability Letter (VA) License Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV) Other (1) Performance Appraisal Professional Certification Separation Notice (RIF) SF-15 SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Transcript Veterans' Preference Note: Preference eligible candidates and other Veterans will be given preference when qualification of candidates are approximately equal for Title 38 positions in VHA.
• When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire.
• You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.).
• If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation.
• Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form.
• Documentation is required to award preference.
• For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.

What to expect next

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met.

After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.

You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center. NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service.

HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities.

HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities.

HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.

Additional information

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply.

The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.