Physician Asst (Cardiothoracic) VN-0603-03 Job in Indianapolis, IN

Vacancy No. CBSR-12802950-25-CS Department Veterans Health Administration
Salary $168,522.00 to $224,127.00 Grade 3 to 3
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 10/6/2025 Close Date 10/15/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Indianapolis, IN


Summary

The physician assistant will function within the setting of the cardiothoracic section of the department of surgery at the RLR VA Medical Center. Provide medical and surgical care for both inpatients and outpatients in the sections of cardiothoracic surgery and surgical intensive care, serving as the primary coordinator for the physicians and PA/ARNP providers. Cardiothoracic patients often have concomitant medical problems and are multi-symptomatic.




This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. For more information, refer to Required Documents below. Open to U.S. Citizens but non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens.

Duties

Cardiothoracic Surgery Duties:
Provide medical and surgical care for both inpatients and outpatients in the sections of cardiothoracic surgery and surgical intensive care, serving as the primary coordinator for the physicians and PA/ARNP providers. Cardiothoracic patients often have concomitant medical problems and are multi-symptomatic. The PA shall coordinate patient care programs based upon the admitting chief complaint and shall perform the following duties:

  • Designing and conducting comprehensive examinations, diagnosis and implementation of treatment plans, admission orders, discharge summaries as well as ordering special labs, and radiographic studies.
  • Provide medical education /counseling of patients and their families.
  • Verify, establish and assure that identified pre-operative surgical requirements are met, assure appropriate arrangements have been established for admission, and coordinate inpatient activities on the floor.
  • Primary responsibility for admissions and medical care of patients.
  • Assist the surgeon in the operating room, including prepping and draping, and first or second assist in surgery.
  • Perform bedside procedures including, placement of arterial lines, swan-ganz catheters and central lines, bronchoscopy, changing of tracheostomy tubes, wound care and debridement, thoracentesis, removal of chest tubes, temporary pacing wires, intra-aortic balloon pump, central lines, arterial lines, and drains.
  • Demonstrate the ability to diagnose and treat cardiothoracic surgery patients seen in consultation with other health care providers.
  • Promote patient care programs for the cardiothoracic surgery patient and periodically update them based upon current and new concepts, research, as well as findings of the attending physician.
  • Integrates the activities of the cardiothoracic surgery service with other patient care programs at the facility.
  • Manage a task force for Quality Assurance within the cardiothoracic section.
  • Role of coordinating holistic care in the inpatient and outpatient realms requiring significant skills involving independent identification of problems, issues, conflicts or barriers to uneventful patient care.
  • Conduct problem solving to formulate a patient care plan to avoid these issues preoperatively while coordinating with social work.
  • Establishes and maintains relationships with social work, rehabilitation, medical, and dietary services throughout the facility to result in improved efficient patient care.
Clinical Practice - Surgical Intensive Care
  • Considers factors related to safety, effectiveness and cost in planning and delivering care.
  • Obtains history, physical examination, and assessment of ongoing patient needs through effective use of the nursing process to make practice decisions in an ethical manner.
  • Orders and interprets routine laboratory tests, diagnostic studies, and radiographic tests.
  • Performs diagnostic and stabilization procedures as necessary based on ACLS.
  • Collaborates with respiratory therapy and nursing for airway management and ventilator weaning.
  • Writes orders for laboratory work, medications, and treatments in compliance with hospital policies.
  • Communicates with Surgical Service physicians' patient problems and status updates.
  • Participates in and prepares discharge planning needs for SICU patients through communication with team members, patients, families, and consultants.
  • Documents relevant laboratory data, study results, patient care, pertinent procedures, and patient updates within notes.
  • Demonstrates competence with placement and removal of enteral feeding tubes, central venous catheters, arterial lines, swan ganz catheters, sutures, drains/tubes.
  • Assists with and performs invasive procedures including, central lines, arterial lines, bronchoscopy, PEG tube placement, and percutaneous tracheostomy.
  • Collaborates with physicians, nurses, and other members of the health care team using effective communication and interpersonal skills to develop, promote, and maintain interdisciplinary teamwork.
  • Identifies 'at risk' individuals in need of referrals.
  • Maintains accurate, timely medical records.
  • Participates in performance measures through documentation and data collection/reporting.
  • Assists in investigation and documentation of patient issues and concerns.
  • Identifies individual differences as related to the physiological, cultural, and psychological aspects of maturational development.
  • Bases ones practice on research and participates in clinical research projects.
  • Demonstrates ability to multi-task and prioritize patient care needs.
VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00AM - 4:30PM
Travel: Required. You may be expected to travel Up to 15% for this position.
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: 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).
  • 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 trial 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 the Federal service.
    Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

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.

Preferred Experience: 5 years or more post fellowship experience. Board Certification.
Grade Determinations: VN-03

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

The full performance level of this vacancy is Physician Assistant - 3 (PA-3). The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is at the PA-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 multidisciplinary 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.

Physical Requirements: Standing, walking, lifting light loads, assisting patients with positioning and transfers. Must be able to use a computer to input orders, review reports etc. Must be able to communicate directions and patient orders. Light lifting (under 15lbs), light carrying (under 15lbs), use of fingers, far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and 20/40 in the other, hearing (aid permitted), emotional stability, mental stability, working closely with others, working alone, and working with biohazardous materials.

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

VA Healthcare System Serving Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan (VISN 10) advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.

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.

NOTE: You must include qualifying specialized experience in mm/yyyy to mm/yyyy format on your resume and indicate Full-Time or Part-Time (if Part-time, must include # of hours worked per week). AND, if you have held a Government position, that position's grade level MUST be listed on your resume.

NOTE:
A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment.

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:

  • License
  • Resume/CV-may be more than 2 pages
  • Professional Certification
  • Transcript


Special Note for Applications: To complete your application, please use the following link https://vacareers.va.gov/wpcontent/
uploads/sites/5/Resume.docx
to download the standard Clinical Resume Document. This one-page document does
not need to be modified and must be uploaded into the two-page restricted 'Resume' document upload field.
Your full resume/CV may be uploaded without page limitation into the 'Other' document upload field.


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
  • DD-214/ Statement of Service
  • Disability Letter (Schedule A)
  • Disability Letter (VA)
  • License
  • Resume/CV-may be more than 2 pages
  • Other (2)
  • Other (3)
  • Performance Appraisal
  • Professional Certification
  • Resume
  • Separation Notice (RIF)
  • SF-15
  • SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
  • Transcript




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 10/15/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12802950.

  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

Cammie Shakir
Address
Richard L Roudebush VA Medical Center
1481 West Tenth Street
Indianapolis, IN 46202
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.