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.
Preferred Experience:
- Prior experience assisting in OR.
- Prior experience working as a physician assistant in a surgical specialty.
- Knowledge of CPRS/VistA.
Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements stated above, the following
qualification criteria must be met in determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates:
(1) 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.
(2) 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.
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.
(3) 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 Professional Practice
Evaluation (FPPE) and Ongoing Professional Practice Evaluation (OPPE).
iii. Ability to present clinical findings and recommendations to appropriate management officials.
iv. Ability to clinically facilitate the delivery of patient care in collaboration with health
professionals, health managers, and other health care personnel.
v. 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.
vi. Ability to participate clinically in the development of the PA patient care audit processes
involving in-depth review and analysis of medical records.
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit
https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
The full performance level of this vacancy is 03. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 01 to 03.
Physical Requirements: Lifting up to 35·pounds for 8-12 hours, intermittently, moderate carrying (15-35 pounds) for 8 to 12 hours, intermittently, lifting over 35 pounds with assistive devices in accordance with the Safe Patient Handling Policy except in emergent situations requiring prompt patient care, pulling for 8 to 12 hours intermittently, pushing for 8-12 hours, intermittently, reaching above the shoulders for 8-12 hours, intermittently, both hands required, walking 8-12 hours, intermittently, standing 8-12 hours intermittently, kneeling 8 to 12 hours, intermittently, repeated bending for 8-12 hours, intermittently, climbing and use of both legs and arms for 8-12 hours, intermittently, both legs required, near vision at 13 to 16" Jaeger 1 to 4, far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other eye, ability to distinguish basic colors, hearing aid permitted, twisting, simple grasp and fine manipulation.