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 PA is directly responsible to the HBPC Program Director.

The scope of practice for the PA includes responsibilities, diagnosis and treatment authorities prescribing privileges for drugs, devices, tests and procedures, and referral authority.

The PA functions as an advocate for patients in meeting their unique physical and psychological needs.

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.

Preferred Requirement: Experience working in Primary Care.

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:

This is OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until September 30,2026.

The initial cut-off date for referrals of eligible application will be April 20,2026 with subsequent cut-off dates every month.

Eligible applications received after that date will be accepted on an ongoing basis and qualified candidates will be considered as vacancies become available.

Assuming primary medical responsibility for assigned patients. Delivering care in the home Assessing care needs of patients and caregivers.

Identifying a patient's medical problems and defining the medical management.

Prescribing medications and treatment in accordance with their individual scope of practice or delineation of privilege Determining the need for consultation from subspecialties.

Determining the need for, and facilitating admission to, the VA medical facility and other transitions of care.

Participating in the development of the individual plan of care at interdisciplinary care meetings for assigned panel of patients.

Writing orders and prescriptions, as necessary for the care of the patient in accordance with Federal and State law, and within VA policy, using the Louis A.

Johnson VAMC approved formulary, excluding controlled substances in Schedules I-II. Participating in the development and implementation of HBPC's process for continuous performance improvement.

Participates in collecting and collating data required for team reports.

Coordinates referrals and evaluation of veterans at the DC Veteran Affairs Medical Center in addition to outside VA's and private sector referrals of Veterans for evaluation and management.

Facilitates response/actions to patient inquires for care and treatment provided by the Section. Other administrative duties as needed.

A PA is authorized to perform the following duties for patients in life-threatening situations where a physician is not immediately available.

PA will initiate these activities but will make every effort to summon a physician as soon as possible.

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation in accordance with current CPR standards Treatment of acute respiratory failure Treatment of life-threatening traumatic injuries.

If ACLS certified, may initiate Advance Cardiac Life Support in accordance with current ACLS protocols, to include defibrillation/cardioversion.

Work Schedule: Monday to Friday, 7:30am -4:00pm, 8:00am - 4:30pm and or 7:00 - 5:30pm, however tour of duty may change based on the needs of the facility.

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.