Physician Assistant (Plastic Surgery)

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Lexington (KY); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Lexington, KY seeks a Plastic Surgery Physician Assistant to provide advanced clinical care across inpatient, outpatient, and perioperative settings within the Plastic Surgery Section.

The PA operates as an independent licensed provider under supervision of a credentialed Plastic Surgeon, aligning with VA policies and privileging requirements to support evaluation, management, procedures, documentation, and care coordination.

Responsibilities

• Provides advanced clinical care in surgical, inpatient, outpatient, procedural, and perioperative settings within the Plastic Surgery Section
• Functions as an independent licensed provider under supervision of a credentialed Plastic Surgeon and in accordance with VA policies and privileging requirements
• Supports evaluation, management, procedural care, care coordination, documentation, performance improvement, education, and clinical operations for Plastic Surgery clinics and minor procedures
• Performs comprehensive evaluation of Plastic Surgery patients including history, physical examination, tests, and treatment plans
• Conducts pre-operative and post-operative assessments and communicates findings to supervising surgeons
• Triages urgent and routine consults and ensures timely follow-up per VA access standards
• Performs minor procedures such as wound care, suture removal, dressing changes, injections, and biopsies
• Assists Plastic Surgeons in clinic-based procedures and ensures compliance with surgical safety and documentation requirements
• Reviews imaging, pathology, and lab results, communicates abnormal findings promptly and participates in service meetings and training programs
• Maintains adherence to VA scope of practice, informed consent, infection prevention, equity of care, and professionalism
• Adheres to schedules and may include extended hours; telework: Ad-Hoc; not a virtual position

Job description

Summary

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 (one to five 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

• The Plastic Surgery Physician Assistant (PA) provides advanced clinical care in surgical - inpatient - outpatient - procedural - and perioperative environments within the Plastic Surgery Section
• The PA functions as an independent licensed provider under the supervision of a credentialed Plastic Surgeon and in accordance with established VA policies - clinical practice guidelines - and privileging requirements
• The PA supports patient evaluation - management - procedural care - care coordination - documentation - performance improvement - education - and clinical operations for Plastic Surgery clinics and minor procedure settings
• Duties may include but are not limited to: Provides comprehensive evaluation of Plastic Surgery patients including history - physical examination - ordering/interpretation of diagnostic tests - and formulation of treatment plans
• Performs pre-operative and post-operative assessments and communicates findings to supervising surgeons
• Triages urgent and routine consults
• ensures timely follow-up in accordance with VA access standards
• Performs minor procedures such as wound care - suture removal - dressing changes - injections - cyst removal support - biopsies - and other procedures authorized under privileging
• Assists Plastic Surgeons in clinic-based procedures
• Ensures compliance with VHA Directives related to invasive procedures - informed consent - time-outs - safety checks - and documentation
• Provides rounding support - progress notes - and discharge planning for Plastic Surgery inpatients
• Coordinates perioperative instructions - risk stratification - and postoperative follow-up
• Collaborates with nursing - schedulers - OR staff - other specialties - and administrative teams
• Supports continuity of care through communication with Primary Care - Community Care - and other VA/Non-VA partners
• Completes all clinical documentation (consults - encounters - procedures - progress notes - op-note co-signs as required) within VA timeliness standards (24-hour op-note compliance
• 3-day note signature standard)
• Ensures consult closure - accurate coding - and compliance with Surgical Service documentation requirements
• Reviews imaging - pathology - and lab results
• communicates abnormal findings promptly
• Participates in Section and Service meetings - contributing to operational improvements
• Participates in educational conferences - mandatory training - VISN safety initiatives - and facility-wide competency programs
• Adheres to VA policies regarding scope of practice - surgical safety - informed consent - infection prevention - equity of care - and professionalism
• Conducts independent clinics (follow-ups - postoperative visits - minor procedures)
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 8:00am-4:30pm - As assigned by the Plastic Surgery Section
• may include outpatient clinics - administrative time - procedure blocks - inpatient rounding - and occasional extended hours depending on service needs
• Telework: Ad-Hoc - As determined by agency policy Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact [e-mail] - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
• Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized