Physician Asst (Primary Care)
Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration
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. Program 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. Responsibilities VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. The Primary Care PA will be responsible for maintaining medical record entries which reflect the patients healthcare. Recording will be accomplished using the electronic comprehensive patient record system (CPRS) and will be completed in a timely manner in compliance with documentation requirements and policies. The PA will act as the focal point of the designated outpatient clinic by being the contact person for all other consultant-specialty services regarding patient care. The PA will ensure that the care is coordinated and communicated to the patient. The Primary Care PA will provide services as directed to meet the needs of the patient population being served by the medical center. These duties may include backup coverage to areas under the supervision of Section Chief Primary Care. The Physician Assistant must be flexible in the work assignments based upon the immediate needs of the service line. Effectively evaluates and treats patients with more complex medical problems requiring a higher degree of clinical skill and competency. Orders testing, consults, etc. as appropriate for the Veterans condition. Performs complete diagnostic and therapeutic procedures as applicable in the provision of primary care. Documents in the medical record in keeping in with the Bylaws of the Medical Center. Provide clinical care to Veterans and provides clinical oversight of the PACT team to which assigned. Ensures that medical treatment or care plans consist of current best medical practices and are evidence based if possible. Ensures practice of medicine is consistent with Joint Commission, CARF, VA policies and procedures, clinical practice guidelines, VISN standards, national statutes and regulations, medical record documentation, mandatory continuing education, and HIPAA policies. Responsible for timely completion of all clinical charting and documentation required by the Medical Center or healthcare system, as appropriate. Actively promotes a customer-oriented culture and promotes the hiring of persons who demonstrate the VAs iCARE values of integrity, commitment, advocacy, respect, and excellence. Encourages an atmosphere of trust, psychological safety and empowerment in all functional areas under her/his oversight. Completes projects or duties as assigned by the Chief, PCSL Work Schedule: Monday through Friday 0800-1630 (may include some weekends, nights, and holidays) Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: Adhoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Pay: Competitive salary, annual performance bonus, regular salary increases. Paid Time Off: Receive 13 to 26 days paid time off per year, not to include 10 paid federal holidays; and 13 sick days annual with no limitation on accumulation. 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).For More Information on Benefits: https://www.vacareers.va.gov/Benefits/EmploymentBenefits 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. Physician Assistant Basic Requirements Masters degree in any discipline or a bachelors 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. may include some weekends, nights, and holidays Preferred Experience: Previous VA experience Grade Determinations: The following criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates, and if appropriate, the level within a grade: 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: This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. Mechanical inpatient lifts are provided. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations, operative/invasive procedures, or home settings. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. Must complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as annual TB screening or testing, as a condition of employment. The incumbent who provides care in home settings or other off-site locations may be required to drive and/or ride in GSA-vehicles. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. 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. 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. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicants 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.