Physician Assistant

Full Job Description

The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

The Compensation and Pension Examiner performs disability or Compensation & Pension evaluations for Veterans, accordance current VBA and VHA regulations.

The PA will be fully qualified and certified to function in this role and in accordance Office of Disability and Medical Assessment (DMA) training and certification requirements.

To qualify for this position, you must meet the basic requirements as well as any additional requirements (if applicable) listed in the job announcement.

Applicants pending the completion of training or license requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

Currently employed physician(s) in VA who met the requirements for appointment under the previous qualification standard at the time of their initial appointment are deemed to have met the basic requirements of the occupation.

Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.

Proficiency in spoken and written English.

Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements stated above, the following qualification criteria must be met: Physician Assistant-III (PA-III)(a) Experience and Education.

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.

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 health care students.

Individuals can demonstrate the KSAs for the full performance level by: 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.

AA 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.(b) 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: i.

Ability to clinically evaluate facility patient care delivery systems and validate or identify barriers to safe and effective patient care. ii.

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).

iii. Ability to present clinical findings and recommendations to appropriate management officials. iv.

Ability to clinically facilitate the delivery of patient care in collaboration with health professionals, health managers, and other health care personnel. v.

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.vi.

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 VN-03.

The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of VN-01 to VN-03.

Physical Requirements: Lifting up to 35 pounds, intermittently; moderate carrying (15-35 pounds), intermittently; lifting over 35 pounds with assistive devices in accordance with the Safe Patient Handling Policy except in emergent situations requiring prompt patient care; pulling, intermittently; pushing, intermittently; reaching above the shoulders, intermittently, both hands required; walking, intermittently; standing, intermittently; kneeling, intermittently; and repeated bending.

Major Duties:

Clinical C&P: Completes mandatory Office of Disability and Medical Assessment (DMA) training to become a certified C&P examiner.

Completes additional training when offered to ensure that reports meet all VBA requirements. Performs independent medical evaluations for compensation or pension purposes.

The medicolegal reports are documented using standardized Disability Benefit Questionnaires (DBQs) in Compensation and Pension Record Interchange (CAPRI).

Orders and interprets appropriate diagnostic studies to fully evaluate claimed/reported conditions to ensure reports are sufficient for purposes of disability rating and/or determination of eligibility for pension.

Reports are completed in a timely manner while meeting established goals for quality and ratability to avoid delays in Veteran benefit claims.

Assists with the review and triage all incoming 2507s (C&P exam requests) for completeness and accuracy.

Serves as a backup examiner for the DBQ Referral Clinic which assists Veterans with the claims process thereby removing the burden of completing DBQs from treating primary and specialty care providers Clinical EH Clinician: Completes War Related Illness and Injury Study Center (WRIISC) training modules 1-5 required by HOME.

In addition, completes ongoing training as they are made available to stay up to date on Veteran exposure concerns.

Conducts Agent Orange Registry, Airborne Hazard and Open Burn Pit Registry, Gulf War Registry, Depleted Uranium, Ionizing Radiation and Toxic Embedded Fragment Surveillance Center exams.

Ensures that registry exams contain a thorough medical history and physical exam with documentation in the electronic medical record.

Evaluations are completed in a clinically sufficient manner to enable the ordering of diagnostic studies and consultations as indicated. Recommends follow-up examinations as indicated.

Prepares follow-up letters following all examinations. Directs Veteran to C&P if conditions that can be presumptively service connected are identified.

Responds to inquiries about registry examinations from Veterans, VA medical facility staff and other stakeholders.

In addition to registry examinations the clinician is available to discuss garrison and other military toxic exposures (i.e., contaminated water at Camp LeJeune, asbestos, PFAS, etc.) with Veterans and consults with HOME as indicated.

Assists the EH Coordinator to determine Veteran registry eligibility. Works with the EH Coordinator to triage consults. Work Schedule: 8am to 4:30pm, Monday to Friday.

VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards.

Pay: Competitive salary, annual performance bonus, regular salary increases Paid Time Off: 50-55 days of paid time off per year (26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year and possible 5 day paid absence for CME) Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Licensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory CME: Possible $1,000 per year reimbursement (must be full-time with board certification) Malpractice: Free liability protection with tail coverage provided Contract: No Physician Employment Contract and no significant restriction on moonlighting Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the next level or grade level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met.

Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the higher level.

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.