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 PULMONARY/ONCOLOGY DUTIES: Order: Staging exams and appropriate specialty testing for patients, fine needle aspirations for evaluation of pulmonary nodules, Endobronchial U/S biopsy of lymph nodes for mediastinal staging, PET/CT exams and relay results, Pulmonary Function Test and relay results, AFB culture and sputum, Culture and sensitivity, Mycology cultures and interpreting results Notifying patients with positive AFB, State of Oklahoma disease notification protocol, treatment plan of care, precautions and related patient education Facility Lung nodule surveillance program including review of all facility testing positive for lung nodules and recommendations for monitoring for 2-ycar stability Facility wide monitoring: Create, maintain and review ordered images on all imaging by abnormal diagnosis code to ensure proper follow up (Nodule List). Enter appropriate Consults for continuity and evaluation for newly diagnosed pulmonary abnormalities Telework follow up with patients daily to ensure close monitoring for lung nodules (pulm/onc longitudinal patients) Pre-clinic triage to improve patient flow through clinic Facilitate urgent evaluation and care utilizing diagnostic criteria for lung nodules/mass care Manage the radiology phone system screening for largo lung mess to facilitate prompt work up Review all post bronchoscopy/EBUS studies for Service to ensure test results are appropriately reviewed, results to veterans and coordination of specialty plan of care in collaborative multidisciplinary team Review specialty clinic imaging studies within resident and Fellow clinics for proper transition of care, within transient trainee clinical domain; order indicated studies and testing as appropriate to maintain appropriate follow up Weekly team multi-disciplinary team meetings with specialty staff physicians to review complex cases and engage appropriate strategies Facilitate Thoracic Tumor Board: maintain weekly schedule and agenda for team meeting. Create, update and disburse patient case summary to engage weekly meetings with multidisciplinary team members including pulmonary, radiation oncology, hematology oncology, cardiothoracic surgery, radiology, pathology, palliative care to include other Service specialty teams Relay recommendations from Thoracic Tumor Board summary to patients, provide education on diagnosis and recommendations, order recommended testing or additional evaluations as deemed essential for complex medical diagnosis within multiple specialties Perform staging work up to complete staging prior to treatment by Hemo/Oncology, Rad/Oncology or Cardiothoracic Surgery Provide education and plan of care updates to veteran patients and caregivers, including appropriate staging evaluation and ongoing clinical requirements VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. Work Schedule: Mon-Fri, 8:00am-4:30pm Compressed/Flexible: May be authorized if approved by supervisor Telework: Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact david.billinsleyjr@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Contract Buy Out Program: This position may be eligible for the Physician / Provider Contract Buy Out Program (CBOP), which authorizes VHA to buy out service contracts (Locum agreements, loan repayments, sign-on bonus contracts, Physician-owned practices) in exchange for employment at certain rural or highly rural facilities for a period of obligated service (minimum 4 years). For additional information and eligibility requirements, contact the VHA Contract Buy Out Program Manager at vacontractbuyoutprog@va.gov. 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: The preferred experience for a Pulmonary Physician Assistant includes a background in respiratory or critical care settings, which provides essential insights into the assessment and management of respiratory conditions. Additionally, experience in performing and assisting in pulmonary procedures is highly valued. This experience can be gained through various roles such as medical assistant, emergency medical technician (EMT), certified nursing assistant (CNA), or phlebotomist. Grade Determinations: Physician Assistant-I (PA-I) - Experience and Education. None beyond the basic requirements. This is the entry-level for PAs. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) Ability to utilize the principles of PA practice in the care of assigned patients to provide appropriate care. Ability to perform patient history and physical. Ability to formulate a plan and provide treatment to the patient. Ability to provide patient care that is abreast of changing concepts and advancements in the profession. Physician Assistant-II (PA-II) - Experience and Education. The PA at this grade is at the intermediate grade level and has had progressively increasing responsibility and experiences as indicated in the KSAs listed below. Individuals will have demonstrated the ability to analyze and solve more complex medical problems than at the entry level grade and can utilize their training in the successful practice of patient care and participate in team problem solving. Two years of successful practice as a PA. OR Successful completion of a PA post-graduate residency program sponsored by VHA Off ice of Academic Affiliations or other postgraduate residency programs accredited by VA, ARC-PA, U.S. Armed Forces, or another accrediting agency. OR A doctoral degree in a health-related field from an accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. 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: Skills to analyze and solve complex medical problems. Ability to function autonomously and make independent medical decisions. Skill to incorporate training and experience into the successful practice of patient care including telehealth medical care. Ability to work effectively in an interdisciplinary environment for improvement of services for patient care. Ability to practice with colleagues and peers collaboratively. Physician Assistant-III (PA-III) - Experience and Education. PAs at the PA-III grade are at the full performance level, thus lead and organize patient care independently, practice with in multidisciplinary teams, and coordinate all aspects of patient care across the health care system. They utilize advanced clinical knowledge and judgment in decision-making and evaluating outcomes. They function as experts in clinical practice and/or in areas related to the assigned roles and responsibilities, may serve as mentors for transitioning PAs, and may provide training for healthcare students. Individuals can demonstrate the KSAs for the full performance level by: Three years of successful practice as a PA. OR Successful completion of a PA post-graduate residency program sponsored by VHA Off ice 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 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. 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-III: Ability to clinically evaluate facility patient care delivery systems and validate or identify barriers to safe and effective patient care. 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). Ability to present clinical findings and recommendations to appropriate management officials. Ability to clinically facilitate the delivery of patient care in collaboration with health professionals, health managers, and other health care personnel. 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. 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 3. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 1 to 3. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service. 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.
