Physician Assistant (Primary Care)

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.

The duties of the position may include but, aren't limited to:

• Basic Life Support in accordance with current Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation standards.
• Monitor and stabilize life-threatening traumatic injuries until emergency medical service arrives.
• Initial treatment of acute respiratory failure.
• Administrative duties such as Quality Assurance, Peer Review, serving on various committees as may be directed by the Service Chief or administration.
• Function as a PA in both IP and OP settings as assigned.
• Precept Physician Assistant students.
• Provide healthcare classes to patients and/or staff

VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00AM to 4:30PM
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact vhaedrpprogramsupport@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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:

• Physician Assistant-I (PA-I)
  1. Experience and Education. None beyond the basic requirements.
  2. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. The following list of knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA) present the minimum skill set expected of an Entry Level PA. This practice may include, but is not limited to:
     1. Ability to utilize the principles of PA practice in the care of assigned patients to provide appropriate care.
     2. Ability to perform patient history and physical.
     3. Ability to formulate a plan and provide treatment to the patient.
     4. Ability to provide patient care that is abreast of changing concepts and advancements in the profession.
• Physician Assistant-II (PA-II)
  1. Experience and Education.
     1. Two years of successful practice as a PA; OR
     2. Successful completion of a PA post-graduate residency program sponsored by VHA Office of Academic Affiliations or other postgraduate residency programs accredited by VA, ARC-PA, U.S. Armed Forces, or another accrediting agency; OR
     3. A doctoral degree in a health-related field from an accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
  2. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). 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-II:
     1. Skills to analyze and solve complex medical problems.
     2. Ability to function autonomously and make independent medical decisions.
     3. Skill to incorporate training and experience into the successful practice of patient care including telehealth medical care.
     4. Ability to work effectively in an interdisciplinary environment for improvement of services for patient care.
     5. Ability to practice with colleagues and peers collaboratively.
• Physician Assistant-III (PA-III)
  1. Experience and Education.
     1. Three years of successful practice as a PA; OR
     2. Successful completion of a PA post-graduate residency program sponsored by VHA Office of Academic Affiliations or other postgraduate residency programs accredited by VA, ARC-PA, U.S. Armed Forces, or another accrediting agency and one year of professional practice as a PA; OR
     3. A doctoral degree in a health-related field from an accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and one year of professional practice as a PA.
  2. 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-III:
     1. Ability to clinically evaluate facility patient care delivery systems and validate or identify barriers to safe and effective patient care.
     2. Skill to consistently demonstrate an elevated level of expertise and autonomy in diagnosing and treating seriously ill, multi-symptomatic patients through facility Focused Professional Practice Evaluation (FPPE) and Ongoing Professional Practice Evaluation (OPPE).
     3. Ability to present clinical findings and recommendations to appropriate management officials.
     4. Ability to clinically facilitate the delivery of patient care in collaboration with health professionals, health managers, and other health care personnel.
     5. Ability to implement and initiate clinical changes to established treatment protocols based upon new medical literature research findings to enhance patient delivery care for improved patient outcomes.
     6. Ability to participate clinically in the development of the PA patient care audit processes involving in-depth review and analysis of medical records.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.The full performance level of this vacancy is PA-III. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of PA-I to PA-III.

Physical Requirements: Physical qualifications required the ability to stand, walk, bend, and move freely. Must be emotionally stable and cooperative. Work is accomplished predominantly on the inpatient unit. The physical surroundings involve working with the acute and chronically physically and mentally ill patients, which may cause discomfort related to negative verbal and physical activities from these patients. Work involves regular and recurring exposure to infection and contagious diseases.

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: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. 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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.