Physician Assistant - Surgical Services Clinical Operations Manager Job in Durham, NC

Vacancy No. CBTA-12797950-25-NB Department Veterans Health Administration
Salary $143,548.00 to $190,914.00 Grade 4 to 4
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 9/17/2025 Close Date 9/26/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Status Candidates
Locations:
Durham, NC


Summary

The Surgical Services Clinical Operations Manager is fully qualified to function in an administrative and management role in accordance with the guidelines and polices of the Durham VA Health Care System. This APP serves as a senior member of the Advance Practice Provider staff with a proven record of fiscal and budgetary responsibilities, a thorough understanding of the various functions involved in the care of patients, and ability to communicate effectively with multidisciplinary teams.

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

This is an INTERNAL ANNOUNCEMENT and is limited to current permanent employees of the Durham VA Medical Center and past, current, and upcoming VHA Health Profession trainees and past and current VHA Residents.

Duties

VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package.

The Surgical Services Clinical Operations Manager is responsible for the management and oversight of clinical operations within Surgical Services. These duties include formulation of an operational budget for the service, human resource management, responsibility for clinical performance measures and reporting, the development of protocols and processes for best practices, optimization of resources, and clinical programs across services and institutions.

The administrative responsibilities include, but may not be limited to (80%):

  • Makes and implements decisions that directly affect patient care and makes final administrative planning decisions for the Surgical Services.
  • Provides active and well-informed administrative participation in planning for the delivery of health care by identifying needs and potential opportunities.
  • Performs central role in developing and coordinating internal review systems to assure that both clinical and administrative activities comply with accrediting and regulatory requirements. - Responsible for the formulation and fiscal administration of operational budget for the service.
  • Develops and implements systems and procedures for improving costeffectiveness and productivity.
  • Coordinates the acquisition of supplies, equipment, and services, reviewing and approving all requests for supplies, equipment, and services.
  • Provides leadership and guidance in determining the resource needs, distributing initial resource allocations, and adjusting resource allocations dictated by changes in program needs.
  • Collect data to make informed decisions regarding opportunity costs, clinical performance metrics, utilization, workload, labor mapping, book ability, and process improvements.
  • Participates in staff and committee meetings as assigned by the Chief of Surgical Service, Chief of Staff and/or Director.
  • Is knowledgeable in hiring procedures and is responsible for coordinating performance evaluations to include counseling and performance actions.
  • Leads the Service in administering programs concerning such matters as equal opportunity, merit promotions, labor management relations, and position management.
  • Has knowledge of hiring and credentialing of clinical and non-clinical staff and responsible for coordinating performance evaluations and OPPEs/FPPEs.
The Surgical Clinical Operational Manager clinical responsibilities include, but may not be limited to (20%):
  • Programmatic focus to improve programs and services that directly impact patient care services
  • Coordinating referrals, scheduling, and evaluating veterans at the Durham VAHCS as well from outside VA's and private sector referrals of veterans to the Surgical Service.
  • Primary focus of practice is the clinical management of healthcare to the veteran's assigned to the Surgical Service.
  • Facilitating care of surgical patient's as well as their entry and exit from various healthcare systems, to include CITC, by establishing and maintaining liaison with a variety of medical specialists and associated staff.
  • Assisting with clinical aspects of care to the patients of the sub-specialty departments assigned to the Surgical Service. This includes evaluations, consultations, and the writing of orders. The APP has the authority to order all tests and procedures necessary to evaluate and care for these patients.
  • Initiating and accepting referrals to clinics and/or community agencies. Collaborates with other healthcare resources to insure timely and appropriate care of patients.
  • Assisting in the Operating Room at the direction of the Chief of Surgery in accordance with the clinical Scope of Practice held by the specific Surgical Clinical Operational Manager.
  • Performing minor procedures within their realm of expertise and under the direction of the Chief of Surgery and in accordance with the individual's Scope of Practice.
  • Assisting other APPs assigned to the surgical services as needed.
  • Providing administrative supervision of day-to-day operations of surgical specialty clinics in the outpatient setting.
  • Full authority for Clinical/administrative research

Work Schedule: 7:30 am-4:00 pm or 8:00 am-4:30 pm
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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. 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 dentification 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).

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.
PA - IV (Clinical Leader/Administrative Leader) Grade Determinations.

PAs at the PA-IV grade level may serve as clinical leader or administrative leader. Clinical PA Leaders may be assigned to positions/studies where limited guidance exists as physician oversight is not required. Administrative PA Leaders are involved with strategic planning and administrative/managerial responsibilities for integrated programs that cross service and/or discipline lines and influence organizational mission and health care. A PA clinical leader/administrative leader may monitor or evaluate services or programs with interaction of senior administration.

Experience. PA clinical leaders/administrative leaders require five years of experience which included leadership assignments that involved formulating program objectives and priorities, implementing plans and practices, and interpreting regulatory and organizational guidance to develop and implement policies and/or procedures.

Do you possess five years of experience which included leadership assignments that involved formulating program objectives and priorities, implementing plans and practices, and interpreting regulatory and organizational guidance to develop and implement policies and/or procedures AND demonstrate the following knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA's) below:

a. Ability to assess information and make recommendations that may significantly affect the content, interpretation, or development of programs concerning critical matters or key issues within the health care system.
b. Ability to schedule and supervise staff, students, or ancillary personnel, to include conducting performance evaluations.
c. Skill in planning, organizing, directing, and controlling an integrated program.
d. Skill in design, management of budget, and cost benefit analysis to ensure optimal stewardship of resources.
e. Ability to analyze complex medical care, organizational processes and/or systems, and develop and implement solutions that improve outcomes at the program or service level.
f. Ability to develop and recommend new or revised policies or procedures to justify program goals and motivate assigned personnel.

NOTE: 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-IV.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is PA-IV.

Physical Requirements: See VA Handbook Directive 5019

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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

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.

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.

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Benefits

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.

Review our benefits

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, resume, 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.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

Required Documents

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

  • Resume
  • SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action


The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc.

  • Cover Letter
  • License
  • Other (1)
  • Performance Appraisal
  • Professional Certification
  • Resume
  • SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action



Veterans' Preference Note: Preference eligible candidates and other Veterans will be given preference when qualification of candidates are approximately equal for Title 38 positions in VHA. When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

How to Apply

All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 09/26/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12797950.

  1. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
  2. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.

NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.

During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.

Agency contact information

Natasha Bridge
Address
Durham VA Medical Center
508 Fulton Street
Durham, NC 27705
US

Next steps

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.

You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.

NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.


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