VISN 20 Clinical Resource Hub (CRH) Physician Assistant (Tele-Primary Care)

Clarification from the agency

All qualified candidates encouraged to apply. Open to all US Citizens within 50 miles of any VISN 20 VA Facility. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

This position may be located within 50 miles of any VISN 20 facility, spanning dynamic Pacific Northwest communities that offer a unique blend of urban amenities and outdoor adventure. Boise and Portland provide major-airport access, diverse dining, and thriving arts and tech sectors. Roseburg and White City offer small-city living near rivers, forests, and national parks. Seattle, Vancouver, and Walla Walla feature vibrant waterfronts, renowned wineries, cultural attractions, and quality schools - all with year-round opportunities for hiking, biking, and countless outdoor activities.

Duties

The CRH Primary Care Physician Assistant (PA) provides comprehensive primary care to a panel of Veterans at VISN facilities through Clinical Video Telehealth (CVT), video into the home, telephone, and in-person modalities. Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Clinical Functions (80-100%)

• Provides comprehensive care for Veterans for a panel size of approximately 900 patients or same-day access.
• Performs initial histories and physical examinations on outpatients using CVT technology, video into the home, telephone, and/or face-to-face visits.
• Provides ongoing outpatient care for assigned patients.
• Screens outpatients to determine the need for further care.
• Prescribes medications within the defined scope of practice.
• Orders diagnostic studies such as laboratory tests, x-rays, and electrocardiograms.
• Reviews the need for and orders health promotion and disease prevention measures.
• Initiates, responds to, and expedites requests for consultations, special tests, and studies.
• Provides education and counseling to patients and families on preventive care, medical conditions, and the use of prescribed treatments and medications.
• Works as a member of an expanded healthcare team - including social workers, dieticians, clinical pharmacists, behavioral health clinicians, and care managers - to oversee and coordinate medical care for a population of Veterans in a group practice setting utilizing the PACT model.
• Serves as a preceptor for MD/DO, NP, and PA residents and students as requested.
• May occasionally work independently, with the ability to request assistance from other medical staff, including telehealth primary care staff and staff in the Emergency Room or inpatient service at the nearest VA medical center when needed.

Telehealth & Travel Requirements

• Utilizes Clinical Video Telehealth (CVT) as the primary modality for treating patients, with video into the home and telephone used as additional care modalities.
• All CRH Primary Care PAs assigned to a PACT team are required to travel to the VA Medical Center every 90 days for face-to-face encounters.
• May require occasional travel to VISN medical centers or Community Based Outreach Clinics (CBOCs).
• If hired for locums-type services, in-person care at the patient site will be required for extended periods.
• The CRH Mobile Deployment Team (MDT) provides care through on-site patient care as a Mission Act 402 requirement. In-person deployments for short-term assignments (typically 3-6 months) will be at the discretion of the VISN CRH Associate Director of Primary Care, depending upon clinical needs and available resources.

Administrative Responsibilities (5-20%)

• Enters time and leave in the VA Time and Leave System (VATAS) and ensures timely completion of TMS and Continuing Medical Education (CME).
• Assists with onboarding and mentoring new staff as requested.
• Completes peer-review evaluations and infrequent protected peer reviews as required.
• Attends occasional meetings as indicated.
• Additional administrative duties may be assigned as needed but will be kept to a minimum due to the administrative burden associated with PACT panel management.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)

• Ability to organize work, set priorities, delegate tasks, and meet multiple deadlines.
• Knowledge of and ability to appropriately utilize evidence-based practices and clinical practice guidelines, and guide staff in using these tools.
• Ability to deal effectively with individuals or groups representing widely divergent backgrounds, interests, and points of view.

VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00AM - 4:30PM MST
Telework: Please see note on Mid-term extension and eligibility for telework based on the MTE/agency clarification. Applicants must be advised that

1. If there is space available in their location, they may be assigned a space onsite and
2. If the RTO exemption is not approved, they may be required to RTO.

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized

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.
• 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.

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.

?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:

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. 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:
  • 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. 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:
  • 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 (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:
  • 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 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:
  • 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.
• 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:
  • Ability to clinically evaluate facility patient care delivery systems and validate or identify barriers to safe and effective patient care.
  • 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).
  • Ability to present clinical findings and recommendations to appropriate management officials.
  • Ability to clinically facilitate the delivery of patient care in collaboration with health professionals, health managers, and other health care personnel.
  • 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.
  • 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 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: Moderate lifting, 15-44 pounds; Moderate carrying, 15-44 pounds; Light carrying, under 15 pounds; Straight pulling (1 hours); Pushing (1 hours); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Operation of crane, truck, tractor, or motor vehicle; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Depth perception; Ability to distinguish basic colors; Ability to distinguish shades of colors; Hearing (aid may be permitted); Sitting up to 8 hours.

Environmental Factors: Working closely with others; Working alone; Protracted or irregular hours of work (possible extended hours).

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.

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

• Resume

Special Note for Applications: To complete your application, please use the following link https://vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/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 (VA)
• License
• Other (1)
• 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.

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