Clarification from the agency

This position is open to current, permanent Phoenix VA Health Care System employees only. A recent (within 1 year) SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, must be submitted as proof of current employment.

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This Physician Assistant (PA) position, working in the Connected Care office under Community Medicine, is responsible for the medical oversight of the Community and Managed Care needs of the Veterans at the Phoenix VA Health Care System (PVAHCS). The PA also functions as a liaison between the Veteran, PVAHCS, and community medical providers to include hospitals, medical offices and private providers. The PA is organizationally aligned to the Connected Care Office under the Chief of Staff Office, but they will collaborate with the Chief of Community Care Managed Care (CMC), the Purchased Care Manager, CMC Nurse Managers, and VA Providers to assist Veterans assigned to PVAHCS with coordinating comprehensive care for their non-VA care needs. The PA has medical oversight and administrative duties and reports to the Connected Care Chief and the Lead APP for Community Medicine.

Duties include but are not limited to:

1. Complete Medical and Clinical Community Managed Care (CMC) reviews on Non-VA Care Patients and Selected Specialties.
2. Review and make recommendations of STAT CMC Consults as needed.
3. Review and manage urgent Non-VA Care Consults, provide clarification of requested care, and expedite processing of requests.
4. Review and assist with resolution of complex CMC medical cases generated by Congressional inquiry or patient complaint/appeal.
5. Complete CMC medical reviews on Request for Service (RFS).
6. Verify proper justifications, urgency, appropriateness and availability of care within VA System on all Non-VA Care Consult Referrals.
7. Reach out to community partners and explain the Veteran Care Agreement and work to develop a robust network of community partners.
8. Provide Clinical Oversight to the Traveling Veteran Coordinators (Three RNs who work under the Utilization Management Department). This entails the management of 6000+ Veterans who travel to and from Phoenix every year, specifically requiring following up on their ordered labs or imaging studies, ensuring that orders are placed appropriately to coordinate any care needs in VA or in the community they may have during their stay in the Phoenix area. Orders are placed under the name of the APP facility designated POC, so all of the Veterans' labs, imaging study requests, and consults come through the incumbent for review. The Physician Assistant serves as the primary or secondary provider and is responsible for all alerts received.
9. Serve as the liaison between Phoenix VA and TriWest and work with high visibility Veterans in coordinating their care needs in the community.
10.Serve as the clinical point of contact (POC) for the Show Low, Payson and Globe CBOC community care consults, and any other future pilots between VA and community partners with the aim of increasing access to care in the community.
11.Reports to the Lead APP of Community medicine, Supervisor is Chief of Connected Care under COS office.
12.Partner with educational affiliates for education of community providers on veteran care.
13.Participate in on-going National program office meetings and conference calls, COS and CMC staff meetings, and VA medical staff meetings and provide updates on Medical CMC issues.
14.Provide training to VA Providers and enforce compliance to Non-VA Care processes/ Mission Act requirements. Serve as the POC for VA and Community providers regarding Non-VA Care Programs, responsible for attending Non-VA Care/Mission Act related training including process changes, reviewing new patch releases and providing staff with feedback on how it impacts the clinical review process, and complete reviews on RFS. Educates staff and leadership about upcoming changes in community care programs and the impact on facility operations/processes.
15.Exemplifies the ICARE core values of-Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy, Respect, and Excellence which define our culture and strengthen our dedication to those we serve.

Work Schedule: To be determined
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• 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

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• Education or Training. The candidate must meet the following: (1) Graduate of a PA training program which is accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education of PA (ARC-PA) or one of its predecessor organizations. Additionally, candidates must meet one of the following:
  • Master's degree in any discipline;
  • Bachelor's degree in any discipline with on year of experience as a PA.
• Certification. Must have successfully passed the PA National Certifying Exam (PANCE).
• Licensure. Must possess an active, current, full, and unrestricted license to practice in a State, Territory, or commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia. PAs must maintain current registration in the State of licensure if this is a requirement for continuing active and current licensure in that State OR be a graduate physician assistant pending licensure.
• English Language Proficiency. PAs appointed to direct patient-care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d).

Preferred Experience: Ability to do a thorough consult review, knowledge of specialty departments, 5+ years at the VA working with CPRS and multiple departments.

Grade Determinations:

Physician Assistant-I.
a. Experience and Education. None beyond the basic requirements.
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:

• 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.
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:

• 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

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:

• 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.
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:

• 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.

(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:

• 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.

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.

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

Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. Mechanical inpatient lifts are provided. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations, operative/invasive procedures, or home settings. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. Must complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as annual TB screening or testing, as a condition of employment. The incumbent who provides care in home settings or other off-site locations may be required to drive and/or ride in GSA-vehicles

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.

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.