Physician Assistant (Primary Care)

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. Responsibilities The Primary Care PA will be fully qualified and certified to function in a clinical role and in accordance with the guidelines and policies of the CBOC and the WNCVAHCS. This individual is delegated the authority and responsibility in his/her 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. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. Clinical: The Primary Care PA's Clinical responsibilities will include, but not be limited to, the following: i. Demonstrates the ability to independently manage a panel of patients with complex, chronic care issues using the best available evidence and national guidelines to achieve optimal population health and effective disease management. ii. Demonstrates leadership and works collaboratively with assigned Primary Care Team and other interdisciplinary teams to identify, analyze and coordinate internal and external resources to resolve care issues and meet the medical and psychosocial needs of assigned panel of patients. iii. Appropriately orders diagnostic and therapeutic tests relative to patient's age-specific needs and health condition. iv. Appropriately prescribes pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions that support the patient's ability to maintain or regain their health status. v. Monitors and documents the effectiveness of treatment interventions, achievement of institutional quality measures and performance metrics. vi. Initiates referrals/consults to the appropriate service when indicated vii. Sets clinical care goals, short and long term, in collaboration with patient, provider(s), and family members/caregivers. viii. Provides education to patients and their families regarding the complex medical, social, and behavioral conditions with a focus on self-management, prevention and wellness based on the patient's health goals and needs. ix. Exemplifies the ICARE core values of-Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy, Respect, and Excellence which define our culture and strengthen our dedication to those Veterans the PA serves. Administrative: i. May review in coming requests for new patient examinations to ensure adequate resources are available to complete these requests. ii. Works closely with the Chief of Primary care and nurse managers to complete evaluations in a timely manner with detail to quality. iii. Assists with arranging continuity care across the VHA system as needed. iv. Works to provide leadership on site to ensure care is completed in required timeframes. Work Schedule: 0800 am - 4:30 pm Telework: Not Authorized Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May Be Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact Onnie Green, View email address on click.appcast.io, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more 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 ( Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification 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 AssistantBasic Requirements Citizenship: Citizen of the United States [in accordance with section 7402(c) to title 38, United States Code (U.S.C.). Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified candidates in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a).] 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: Master's degree in any discipline or a bachelor's degree in any discipline with one year of experience as a Physician Assistant ~AND~ 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). NOTE: Current and continuous certification by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCC PA) is no longer required for employment in VHA. (See paragraph 3a in this standard for additional information regarding the certification requirement for employees grandfathered into the occupation.) Licensure: [Must have successfully passed the PA National Certifying Exam (PANCE).NOTE: Current and continuous certification by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCC PA) is no longer required for employment in VHA. (See paragraph 3a in this standard for additional information regarding the certification requirement for employees grandfathered into the occupation.) Impaired Licensure. A PA who has, or has ever had, any license(s) revoked, suspended, denied, restricted, limited, or issued/placed in a probationary status may be appointed only in accordance with the provisions of chapter 3, section B, paragraph 13 of this part. Exceptions for Graduate PAs.(a) PAs 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)(8).(b) Graduate PAs 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. Loss of Credentials. An employee in this occupation who fails to maintain the required licensure or NCC PA certification when required under paragraph 3a below must be removed from the occupation, which may result in termination of employment (VA Handbook 5005, part II, chapter 3, paragraph 17) Failure to Obtain Licensure. In all cases, graduate PAs must actively pursue and obtain required licensure from the date of their appointments. The human resource office will provide the unlicensed PA in writing the date by which the license must be acquired and the consequences for not becoming licensed by the deadline. The written notice must be provided prior to the first date of employment. Failure to obtain required credentials by the prescribed date will result in termination of employment. English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). Preferred Experience: 3-5 yrs of Primary Care Experience Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit 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: 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: 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.