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Physician Assistant

Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Health Administration
This job announcement has closed

Summary

OUR MISSION: To fulfill President Lincoln's promise - "To care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow, and his orphan" - by serving and honoring the men and women who are America's Veterans. How would you like to become a part of a team providing compassionate care to Veterans?

Surgical Service at the White River Junction VA Medical Center is recruiting for a Physician Assistant.

White River Junction, Vermont is located in the Upper Valley Region of New Hampshire and Vermont where every season is stunning and there are endless recreational opportunities. Nestled between the Green and White Mountains and located on the Connecticut River, the area provides cultural and entertainment opportunities and year-round outdoor recreation. We are only a short drive to Burlington, VT, White Mountains National Forest, NH, Portland, ME, Boston, MA and Montreal, Canada.

***A recruitment or relocation incentive may be authorized for a highly qualified candidate.***
***Position may be eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program.***

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open date: 01/18/2018
Closed date: 02/09/2018
Location
3 vacancies in the following location:
Work site options
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Salary
$61,838 - $123,879 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 00
Promotion potential
00
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-Time
Travel Required
Not required
Appointment type
Permanent
Occupations and job series
Supervisory status
No
Federal service type
This job is in the Service
Announcement number
CAYU-10119695-18-RAF
Control number
489072700

This job is open to

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Duties

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The White River Junction VA Medical Center is seeking a Physician Assistant to join our Surgical Service Team. We are searching for a PA who is able to maintain specific knowledge and clinical expertise in the areas of general surgery, vascular surgery, plastic surgery, and ophthalmology with priority given to primary specialty assignment reflecting a balance between facility needs and incumbent interest and skillset.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; Days

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • You must be a U.S. Citizen
  • Designated and/or random drug testing required
  • 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 a background/security investigation

Physical Requirements: Candidate must be physically and mentally able to perform the duties of the job.

Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:
United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.

Education. The candidate must meet the following:
(1) Graduate of a PA training program, or of a surgical assistant program which is accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) or one of its predecessor organizations; and
(2) A Bachelor's degree from an accredited PA training program or in another health sciences related field from an accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Certification
(1) Current and continuous certification by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) is required for employment in VHA.
(2) Recent PA graduates who are eligible to take the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE) may be employed by VA on a temporary basis (38 U.S.C. 7405), for a period not to exceed two years, as provided in VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section G, Paragraph 5.
(3) If a PA's NCCPA certification is suspended, revoked or expires, the PA must be removed from the occupation which may result in termination of employment.

Language Requirement: Proficiency in spoken and written English.

GRADE REQUIREMENTS. In addition to the basic requirements stated in paragraph 2 above, the following qualifications criteria must be met in determining the appropriate grade for appointment or promotion eligibility. Requirements for appointment or promotion to a specific grade are based on the candidate's ability to demonstrate the elements described.

Full Grade. In addition to meeting the basic requirements in paragraph 2, individuals appointed to this grade must meet all the following requirements:
(1) Experience / Education. None beyond the basic requirements in paragraph 2 of this standard.
(2) Clinical Competencies: Clinical Proficiency; Professional Development; Ethics; Interpersonal Skills; Research

Intermediate Grade. In addition to meeting the basic requirements under paragraph 2 above, candidates must meet all requirements described in this standard for Full Grade through VA employment or non-VA PA positions with equivalent scope and complexity. Individuals appointed or advanced to Intermediate Grade will have demonstrated the ability to analyze and solve more complex medical problems and meet the following requirements:
(1) Experience / Education
(a) 1 year of professional practice as a PA; or
(b) Successful completion of a PA post-graduate residency program accredited by ARC-PA or by the U.S. Armed Forces; or
(c) A Master's degree from a PA training program certified by ARC-PA or in another health-related field from an accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
(2) Clinical Competencies: Clinical Proficiency; Professional Development; Ethics; Interpersonal Skills; Research

Senior Grade. In addition to meeting the basic requirements under paragraph 2 above, candidates must meet all requirements described in this standard for Intermediate Grade through VA employment or non-VA PA positions with equivalent scope and complexity. Individuals appointed or advanced to Senior Grade will have demonstrated the behaviors or responsibilities listed in one or more of the following categories: Clinical Proficiency, Education, Professional Development, Management/Administrative, and Research, as applicable to the assignment
(1) Experience / Education
(a) 3 years of professional practice as a PA; or
(b) 2 years of professional practice as a PA and successful completion of a PA post-graduate residency program accredited by ARC-PA or by the U.S. Armed Forces; or
(c) 2 years of professional practice as a PA and a Master's degree from a PA training program certified by ARC-PA or in another health-related field from an accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education; or
(d) A Doctoral degree in a health-related field from an accredited college or university recognized by the U. S. Department of Education.
(2) Management/Administrative. One of the following responsibilities must be demonstrated:
(a) Evaluates service level patient care delivery systems and validates or identifies barriers to safe, effective care. Presents findings and recommendations to appropriate management officials and participates in implementation of changes.
(b) Manages patient quality management data bases such as the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) if assigned.
(c) Serves on service or facility committees/task forces if applicable to the assignment.
(d) Coordinates consult referrals within the service assigned.
(e) Coordinates and facilitates inter-service agreements.
(3) Clinical Competencies: Clinical Proficiency; Professional Development; Ethics; Interpersonal Skills; Research

Chief Grade. In addition to meeting the basic requirements under paragraph 2 above, candidates must meet all requirements described in this standard for Senior Grade through VA employment or non-VA PA positions with equivalent scope and complexity. Appointment or promotion to Chief Grade is based on the individual's demonstrated high level of clinical expertise, leadership ability, and the ability to function with a high degree of autonomy. Further, the PA candidate for Chief Grade will have demonstrated all the requirements of one or more of the following categories: Management/Administrative, Clinical Proficiency, Professional Development and Research.
(1) Experience / Education
(a) Generally, an individual in this grade is able to demonstrate the behaviors listed in the areas below after 5 years of professional practice as a PA; and,
(b) The minimum education for this grade is a Master's Degree from a PA training program accredited by ARC-PA or in a health-related field of study. However, experience as a PA may be substituted for the Master's degree where the individual has an equivalent knowledge of the profession and has successfully undertaken a combination of difficult or complex assignments in several clinical, administrative, research and educational arenas which required a high degree of competence.
(2) Management/Administrative
(a) Accepts substantial and continuing responsibility for managing or coordinating a healthcare program including follow-up actions to ensure compliance with regulatory bodies required by internal and external review organizations and accrediting bodies, and;
(b) Successfully integrates the activities of the employee's assignment with other patient care programs at the facility or with similar programs on a broader geographic basis, and;
(c) Develops policies and procedures and participates in executive level decision making deliberations, and;
(d) Participates in long range program planning and model development for effective delivery of services, and;
(e) Performs a full range of administrative duties relative to the assignment.
(3) Clinical Competencies: Clinical Proficiency; Professional Development; Ethics; Interpersonal Skills; Research

References: VA Handbook 5005 Part II Appendix G8

The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of Full Grade to Chief Grade Physician Assistant and will be determined by a Professional Standards Board.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on 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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Additional information

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

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

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

United States Citizenship Required; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.

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.

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.

If you are unable to apply online view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.

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, résumé, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

NOTE:
Applicant's education and experience will be reviewed by a Professional Standards Board and utilized in determining the grade and salary of the applicant selected. The recommended 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.

Veterans Health Administration

Agency contact information

Karen Townley
Phone
(802) 295-9363 X5829
Email
karen.townley@va.gov
Address
White River Junction VA Medical Center
215 North Main St.
White River Jct., VT 05009
US

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