Physician Assistant - Primary Care (Float)

Summary
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. 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.
This job is open to

• The public
  U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Clarification from the agency
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. Butler VAMC employees being the first area of consideration.
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Duties
How applicants will be referred:
This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until December 29, 2023. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be September 29, 2023, with subsequent cut-off dates on the 15th of each month. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled.
VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Assistant Total Rewards
Physician Assistant (PA) for Primary Care delivery to a panel of patients whose primary areas of responsibility will involve performance of, and documentation of health care delivery for Veterans according to VHA Primary Care standards. The PA will be fully qualified and certified to function in a clinical role and in accordance with the guidelines and policies of the DVAHCS. This individual is delegated the authority and responsibility in their area of expertise to assume major clinical, consultative, educational, research, and administrative duties and assignments related to the examination of claimants filing compensation and pension claims.
Major Duties include but are not limited to:
Clinical:

• The PA practices general medicine with a focus on community-based outpatient clinical care. Approximately 90% of the PA's time is dedicated to developing and maintaining an interdisciplinary approach to the direct care of general medicine clinic patients.
• The PA independently follows his own panel of general medicine patients, functioning as their Primary Care provider. This Primary Care/gatekeeper role is incumbent with a high degree of responsibility and independence.
• The location of the Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOC) away from the Medical Center means that the PA's assessment skills and breadth of knowledge must be superior. In addition, he/she must be a highly effective communicator in order to negotiate with consultants at the VAMC regarding the triaging of patients he/she refers. These skills are required at a level that exceeds that of VAMC based PAs

Administrative

• Because of the highly integrative approach used in community based outpatient clinics, the PA must work closely with his/her colleagues and must serve as a leader in developing processes to improve care and satisfaction

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm
Telework: Available - Ad-hoc
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
EDRP Authorized: Contact VHAVISN04HREDRP@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required
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.
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• 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).
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

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.
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.
• English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f).
• Education: Graduate of a training program which is accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education of PA (ARC-PA) or one of its predecessor organizations. Additionally, candidates must meet one of the following:
  
  • (1) Master's degree in any discipline OR
  • (2) Bachelor's degree in any discipline with one year of experience as a PA.
• Certification: Must have successfully passed the PA National Certifying Exam (PANCE).
• Licensure: PAs must possess an active, current, full, and unrestricted license to practice in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia. PAs must maintain current registration in the State of licensure if this is a requirement for continuing active and current licensure in that State.
• Exceptions for Graduate PAs.
  
  • (a) PA's who otherwise meet the basic requirements, but do not possess the required licensure, may be appointed, pending licensure, as a graduate PA on a temporary full-time appointment not-to-exceed two years under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2)(B).
  • (b) Graduate PA's may only be appointed at the entry grade level and may not be promoted/converted until certification is obtained.
  • (c) Temporary graduate PA appointments may not be extended beyond two years or converted to a new temporary appointment.
  • NOTE: Individuals who have or have had multiple licenses and had any such license revoked for professional misconduct, professional incompetence or substandard care, or who surrendered such license after receiving written notice of potential termination of such license by the State for professional misconduct, professional incompetence, or substandard care, are not eligible for appointment to the position unless such revoked or surrendered license is fully restored (38 U.S.C. § 7402(f)). This requirement does not apply to licensed PAs currently employed by VA as of November 30, 1999, provided they maintain continuous appointment and are not disqualified for employment by any subsequent revocations or voluntary surrenders of State license, registration or certification

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. Grade and Step determinations of the selected applicant will be determined by the appropriate Physician Assistant Professional Standards Board and will be based on the selected individuals education and experience.
Physician Assistant-I (PA-I) - Entry Level

• Experience and Education: None beyond the basic requirements. This is the entry level for PA's
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
  
  • 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) - Intermediate Level

• Experience and Education: Two years of successful practice as a PA OR 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, US Armed Forces, or another accrediting agency OR a doctoral degree in a health-related field from an accredited college or university recognized by the US Department of Education.
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
  
  • 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) - Full Performance Level

• Experience and Education: Three years of successful practice as a PA OR 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, US Armed Forces, or another accrediting agency AND one year of professional practice as a PA
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
  
  • 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

Preferred Experience:Primary Care or ER experience
References: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-8 Physician Assistant Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office.
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: This work is mostly sedentary and requires some standing, bending and carrying light items. The PA must have the ability to stand and walk for prolonged periods of time to interact with the patients and other services.
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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.
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.
Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.
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.

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