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.

Basic Requirements:

• United States Citizenship: Must be a US Citizen
• Education: Must be a 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 and must also meet one of the following: (1) Master's degree in any discipline
• or (2) Bachelor's degree in any discipline with one year of experience as a Physician Assistant
• Certification: Successfully passed the PA National Certifying Exam (PANCE) (or is in the process of taking the exam)
• License: 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
• PAs must maintain current registration in the State of licensure if this is a requirement for continuing active and current licensure in that State
• English Language Proficiency: In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English
• Grade Requirements: In addition to the basic qualification requirements, the grade level of a PA is based on a combination of training and experience
• Physician Assistant-I (PA-I): Experience and Education
• None beyond the basic requirements
• This is the entry level for PAs
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• PAs at this grade are expected to present the following minimum skill set: 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
• PAs at this grade are 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
• 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 this 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
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is PA III
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of PA I to PA III
• Physical Requirements: Must pass a pre-employment physical examination as required by VA Handbook 5019
• This examination is administered by VA Occupational Health
• This position requires moderate lifting up to 44 lbs., carrying objects up to 15 lbs., frequent reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, hands, and legs, use of cranes and motor vehicles, walking and standing up to eight hours, bending, climbing, and able to hear whisper
• The incumbent must be physically, emotionally, and mentally stable in order to efficiently perform the essential functions of this position without hazard to themselves or others.