Physician Assistant (Primary Care)

<p>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.</p><h3>Major Duties</h3><p>The Physician Assistant is an integral part of the primary care team and is called upon for several important duties. The Physician Assistant (PA) is an individual who is a graduate of an accredited PA program approved by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA). Medical prescribing privileges for controlled substances can only be granted in accordance with the Federal Controlled Substances Act and applicable regulations. In order to prescribe controlled substances, the health care practitioner's state of licensure or registration must permit him or her to do so. PA's function as agents of their supervising physician within their identified scope of practice. The Primary Care PA works as a member of the multidisciplinary Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) and provides care to a panel of approximately 900 patients. The Primary Care PA assists with the total care of the patient's medical needs by performing history and physical examinations, promoting preventative health measures, managing acute and chronic conditions, ordering appropriate lab tests, evaluating those tests and acting within the guidelines laid down by the supervising physician to ensure quality care of the patient. The Primary Care PA functions as an integral part of a PACT team to coordinate, facilitate and provide patient care and services. The Primary Care PA assists in preparation of the patient to include but not limited to teaching, accumulating data and medical problems, and as needed, presenting patient- centered discussion of medical problems with his/her supervising Physician. The Primary Care PA will be responsible for maintaining medical record entries which reflect the patient's 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 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. Scope of Assigned Duties: 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 Veteran's 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 VA's 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. The incumbent is responsible to the Chief of Primary Care, but practices independently, exercising initiative and independent judgment in day-to-day activities and provision of primary care to Veterans. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM Telework: Not available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized. EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact the EDRP Coordinator, Cheryl Lahair, at cheryl.lahair@va.gov for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized.</p><h3>Requirements</h3>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 (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. 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. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 2-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the Agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the Agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.<h3>Education</h3>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/.