About this role
Job SummaryThis position is located at the Cumberland County VA Clinic in Mechanicsburg, PA.
QualificationsApplicants 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. 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)(B). (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. Grade Determination. In addition to the basic requirements stated above, the following qualification criteria must be met in determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates: Physician Assistant-I (PA-I) Experience and Education. None beyond the basic requirements. 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: 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) 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: 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, U.S. Armed Forces, or another accrediting agency. OR, A doctoral degree in a health-related field from an accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. 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: 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) 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: 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, U.S. Armed Forces, or another accrediting agency and one year of professional practice as a PA. OR, 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. 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: 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 experience Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://department.va.gov/employees/va-qualifications-standards/. Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment evaluation [or examination] as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.
Major DutiesThe incumbent leads and organizes patient care independently, practice with multi-disciplinary teams, and coordinates all aspects of patient care across the health care system. The incumbent provides both routine scheduled appointments as well as urgent or same day care when indicated. Primary Care is comprehensive and continuous and covers preventative and psycho social aspects of patient management. Incumbent provides histories and physicals, (H and P's) pre-operative assessment under supervision and co-signature of collaborative physician, orders subspecialty consults, tests, prosthetic requests, completes forms on veterans behalf that are within the treatment purview of the incumbent, and performs other clinical duties as directed deemed by service chief and collaborative physician to be appropriate and in the interest of the Veteran. Clinical practice - Appropriately documents own interventions and reviews patient treatment plan, and involving the collaborative primary care physician when patient is of high complexity or acuity. Recognizes complex situations that impact patient care and intervenes, using sound judgment, professional attitude and appropriate channels. Participates in establishing policies, procedures and guidelines to ensure adequate, comprehensive services. Participates in in-service training programs and maintains competencies. Participates in direct patient care utilizing tele-health technologies. Maintains current knowledge of trends in professional issues through action participation in Continuing education. Quality of Care - Uses professional standards of care and practice to evaluate programs and activities. Participates in interdisciplinary teams in Primary care to improve patient care, which leads to organizational performance. Recognizes impediments to health care delivery and uses problem solving / performance improvement approaches to improve outcomes. Participates in performance improvement activities related to the service line quality improvement process. Evaluates need and participates in interdisciplinary ad hoc committees/process action teams for constructive problem solving. Performance - Develops and implements interdisciplinary standards of practice and care. Collaborates with specialists and special emphasis programs to deliver the highest quality of coordinated care to Veterans. Communicates effectively with patients, families/significant others and the health team members, both within the primary care setting and across the hospital. Performs additional duties as assigned. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. Work Schedule: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be authorized EDRP Authorized: 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 to apply. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not AuthorizedRequirementsAll 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 (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). 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. 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.