Physician Assistant

Summary

This OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT (OCA) is for the Jonathan M. Wainwright Memorial VAMC and it's associated CBOCs. Interested candidates should select desired location and specialty upon submission of their application.

NOTE: Resumes will only be referred to the hiring manager for consideration as vacancies occur.

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Overview

* Accepting applications
* Open & closing dates

11/01/2023 to 09/30/2024


* Salary

$96,541 - $171,192 per year

Education and length of practice will be considered by the PA Professional Standards Board in determining salary (grade and step).


* Pay scale & grade

VN 00


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Locations

1 vacancy in the following locations:

* Lewiston, ID


* La Grande, OR


* Richland, WA


* Walla Walla, WA


* Show more locations (1)
* Yakima, WA




* Remote job

No


* Telework eligible

No


* Travel Required

25% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position.


* Relocation expenses reimbursed

No


* Appointment type

Permanent -


* Work schedule

Full-time -


* Service

Excepted


* Promotion potential

None


* Job family (Series)

0603 Physician Assistant


* Supervisory status

No


* Security clearance

Other


* Drug test

Yes


* Position sensitivity and risk

Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk


* Trust determination process

Credentialing

Suitability/Fitness


* Announcement number

CBSV-12185985-24-RM


* Control number

758312600



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This job is open to

* Internal to an agency

Current federal employees of this agency.


* The public

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



Clarification from the agency

First consideration will be given to current, permanent employees of the Jonathan M. Wainwright Memorial (Walla Walla) VA Medical Center.

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Duties

This position will be filled by either a Physician, Physician Assistant or Nurse Practitioner.

If you are a Physician, Please apply to Vacancy ID: CBSV-12186203-24-RM

If you are a Nurse Practitioner, please apply to Vacancy ID: CBSV-12185684-24-RM

DUTIES:

* Primary Care Providers generally include basic diagnosis and treatment of common illnesses and medical conditions
* Diagnostic techniques include interviewing the patient to collect information on the present symptoms, prior medical history and other health details, followed by a physical examination.
* More complex and time-intensive diagnostic procedures are usually obtained by referral to specialists with special training with a technology or increased experience and patient volume that make a risky procedure safer for the patient.
* After collecting data, the PA arrives at a differential diagnosis and, with the participation of the patient, formulates a plan including (if appropriate) components of further testing, specialist referral, medication, therapy, diet or life-style changes, patient education, and follow up results of treatment. Primary care physicians also counsel and educate patients on safe health behaviors, self-care skills and treatment options, and provide screening tests and immunizations.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm (Subject to change based on needs of service)

Telework: Not Available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized

EDRP Authorized: Contact the EDRP team V20CompensationTeam@va.gov, for questions/assistance. Learn more

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not AuthorizedFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required

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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

* Master's degree in any discipline or a bachelor's 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.

Grade Determinations:

Physician Assistant-I (PA-I)(a) Experience and Education. None beyond the basic requirements. This is the entry level for PAs(b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. The following list of knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA) present the minimum skill set expected of an Entry Level PA. This practice may include, but is not limited to:

* i. Ability to utilize the principles of PA practice in the care of assigned patients to provide appropriate care.
* ii. Ability to perform patient history and physical.
* iii. Ability to formulate a plan and provide treatment to the patient.
* iv. Ability to provide patient care that is abreast of changing concepts and advancements in the profession.

Physician Assistant-II (PA-II)(a) Experience and Education. The PA at this grade is at the intermediate grade level and has had progressively increasing responsibility and experiences as indicated in the KSAs listed below. Individuals will have demonstrated the ability to analyze and solve more complex medical problems than at the entry level grade and can utilize their training in the successful practice of patient care and participate in team problem solving. Individuals demonstrate the KSAs of PA-II intermediate level by

* i. Two 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.

OR

* iii. A doctoral degree in a health-related field from an accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

(b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). 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-II:

* i. Skills to analyze and solve complex medical problems.
* ii. Ability to function autonomously and make independent medical decisions.
* iii. Skill to incorporate training and experience into the successful practice of patient care including telehealth medical care.
* iv. Ability to work effectively in an interdisciplinary environment for improvement of services for patient care.
* v. Ability to practice with colleagues and peers collaboratively.

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. A 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

The full performance level of this vacancy is VN-3. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of VP-1 to VN-3

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.

Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting (15-44 pounds), Moderate carrying (15-44 pounds), Straight pulling (.5 hours), Pushing (.5 hours), Reaching above shoulder, Use of fingers, Both hands required, Walking (2.5 hours), Standing (5 hours), Repeated bending, Ability to distinguish basic colors, Hearing (aid permitted)

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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* Benefits

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.



How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, résumé, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

NOTE: A formal pay-setting process will be used to determine your salary. The salary may be at any point in the range listed for this vacancy.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.