Clarification from the agency

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.

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This Physician Assistant will be a Mid-level provider for the Hem/Onc Section under the Medical Service Line. The physician assistant will provide clinical support to the supervisory physicians of Hem/Onc section, and their duties and responsibilities will be at the direction of the supervisory physicians as well as Chief of the Department following transition period. This PA must be fully qualified to provide a full range of patient care services in the Hem/Onc Section. The PA will function in both a clinical and administrative role, and in accordance with the guidelines and policies of the DC Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

MAJOR DUTIES:
Clinical:

• Independently manages their assigned Hematology Oncology patients with acute and chronic health conditions, provide emergent, urgent and non-urgent care supporting Hem/Onc clinics after completing transition period and approved by the Chief of the Department.
• Develops and implements an individualized plan to achieve optimal Hematology/Oncological disease management.
• Demonstrates leadership and works collaboratively with the interdisciplinary team.
• Orders and interprets labs, tests, and diagnostic studies.
• Prescribes pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions.
• Prescribes chemotherapy after successful completion of required training and area specific orientation.
• Monitor and manage treatment side effects, toxicities and complications from chemotherapy, biological agents, immunology, targeted therapies sand other interventions.
• Initiates referrals and consults to specialty services.
• Provides education to patients and their families about specific diagnoses, treatment and able to sign consent form.
• Develops Survivorship plans for patients and follows those patients.
• Serve as a resource for staff, nurses, patients and family by providing education on specific topics.
• Assesses and adjusts the plan of care as needed to achieve optimal patient outcomes.
• Exemplifies the ICARE core values of - Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy, Respect, and Excellent care.
• Participates in hematology/oncology research.
• Assists with mentoring physician assistant's students, nurses of rotating in the hem/onc Section.

• Coordinates referrals and evaluation of veterans at the DC Veteran Affairs Medical Center in addition to outside VA's and private sector referrals of Veterans for evaluation and management.
• Facilitates response/actions to patient inquires for care and treatment provided by the Section.
• Other administrative duties as needed.

• Attends educational activities to maintain certification needs. Completes all TMS training in a timely manner.
• Participates in educational activities in the Hem/Onc Section and the Medical Service to ensure updated knowledge of the subject.
• Makes use of other educational materials on an as needed basis.
• Achieve chemotherapy certification (ONS and Biotherapy certification) at the end of 1000 clinical hours.
• Completion of ASCO APP program within 3 years.

• Appreciates the need for research activities as complementary and useful aspects of patient care.
• Becomes familiar with requirements for submission of research protocols and assists Administrative Assistant and others in the preparation of documents.
• Participates in the care of patients enrolled in research and documents those activities as required, on a timely basis.

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

• Citizenship. Citizen of the United States [in accordance with section 7402(c) to title 38,United States Code (U.S.C.). Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified candidates in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a).]
• Education. Master's degree in any discipline or a bachelor's degree in any discipline with one year of experience as a Physician Assistant.
• Certification. Successfully passed the PA National Certifying Exam (PANCE) (or are you in the process to taking the exam).
• Licensure. 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.
• English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).

• Three years of successful practice as a PA preferably with experience in either hematology and/or oncology.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

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; 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.