Summary This 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. Responsibilities The Physician Assistant (PA) assigned to Primary Care Service is responsible to the Chief, Primary Care, or designee. The PA works collaboratively with other health care professionals to accomplish patient, service, medical center, and VISN goals. This role is flexible based on the needs of Primary Care and the Facility, although PC Leadership will collaborate with the Provider to determine best fit for them, whether it be managing a PACT Team full time or acting in a Gap Provider capacity where they may manage PACT Teams short or long term, see walk in's from the assigned PACT or as a daily function, or as assigned. PC Leadership will determine the need and placement of all providers. This may be in face to face roles at the local facility, completing telephone and video appointments at the local facility or at other facilities as needs arise. All roles are subject to change depending on the need or changes within the facility assigned and may include covering teams virtually at other facilities, if the need arises to ensure Veterans needs are put first. The PA must Display leadership and an exceptional degree of competence. Be the clinical leader of the Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT). Facilitate communication with PACT Team & VA Employees. Participate in team daily huddles as per PACT Training. Complete PACT Training and TMS training timely. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. Performs and records history and physical examinations and records data from clinic visits. Enters progress notes in CPRS and completes action required encounters in a timely manner. Orders diagnostic tests, medications, laboratory tests as medically relevant for each patient. Determines medical assessment and develops treatment plans according to accepted protocols, physician supervisor recommendations or standing orders. Exhibits leadership in initiating changes in patient care programs based on current concepts and findings from research and/or studies. Participates with the Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) model of care. Prescribes medications according to approved formulary, and in accordance with OBVAMC credentialing, Federal and State Law, and VHA Regulations. Processes view alerts and all other patient notifications in a timely manner, critical alert within 48 hours, and moderate alerts within 14 days. Generally, does not allow view alerts and other notifications to exceed accumulation of more than 500. RFS completion per policy. Effectively addresses abnormal alert values. Educates patients concerning medical conditions and recommended treatments. (Specific topics include nutritional counseling, need for smoking cessation, need for periodic immunizations and health screening tests, and other preventive health measures). Consistently demonstrates expertise in diagnosing and treating seriously ill multisymptomatic patients. Consults other specialties as appropriate for patient management, according to service agreements. Performs approved procedures when indicated as approved by scope of practice. Performs duties necessary to maintain the life of patients under the PAS care. These procedures can include resuscitative measures such as Basic Life Support, Advanced Cardiac Life Support (as certified). Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm Compressed/Flexible: Unavailable Telework: Unavailable Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact Robert.Knudsen@va.gov , the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Requirements Conditions of Employment 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 (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. 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. Qualifications Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. 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. Preferred Experience: At least 3 years experience in a Primary Care Clinic setting managing complex / multiple medical concerns for a patient panel to include elderly populations and women's health patients. We offer a women's health mini residency for those in need of this training. Prescriptive Authority is necessary to manage the team of veterans. If you do not have this authority, please work on obtaining it. Must be proficient in utilizing EHR. Please include any experience managing chronic pain patients on your CV, although training is available once onboard. Searching for a solid clinician who expresses empathy and compassion as well as the ability to communicate effectively and listen to the patient and their goals for improved health care Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements stated above, the following qualification criteria must be met in determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates:(1) Physician Assistant-I (PA-I) (a) Experience and Education. None beyond the basic requirements. (2) Physician Assistant-II (PA-II) (a) Experience and Education. i. Two years of successful practice as a PA. OR ii. 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 iii. A doctoral degree in a health-related field from an accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. (3) Physician Assistant-III (PA-III) PAs at the PA-III grade are at the full performance level and lead and organize patient care independently, practice within multi-disciplinary teams, and coordinate all aspects of patient care across the health care system. (a) Experience and Education. i. Three years of successful practice as a PA. OR ii. 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 iii. 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. (4) Physician Assistant-IV (PA-IV) Positions may include but are not limited to: Facility or Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) Lead PA, Facility PA Education Lead, PA Residency Program Director, or other Clinical and/or Administrative leadership assignments. (a)Experience: Requires five years of experience (5) Physician Assistant-V (PA-V). PA positions at this grade may include but are not limited to: VISN or VHA Central Office (VHACO) leadership or administrative positions that involve a high level of strategic planning of programs that cross integrated service lines and/or disciplines. (a) Experience. PAs at this level require six years of experience that includes assignments that involved directing and evaluating complex patient care or administrative programs, services or operations for a healthcare system or at multiple sites. The full performance level of this vacancy is VN-III. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of I to III. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: Light lifting (15 lbs. and under); Light carrying (15 lbs. and under); use of fingers and both hands required; walking (up to 3 hours); standing (up to 3 hours); ability for rapid, mental, and muscular coordination simultaneously; near vision correctable at 13" to 16"; hearing (aid permitted); mental and emotional stability. are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held including positive education and licensure/certification. 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: 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/. 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.
