Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

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Duties of the physician assistant:

• Primary care physician assistants will be responsible for delivery of primary care to patients enrolled at the Syracuse VA Medical Center. The provider will manage scheduled and unscheduled patients in the outpatient clinic setting.
• Physician assistants will be primarily located at the Syracuse VA Medical Center 5 days a week.
• Primary providers in the outpatient setting are typically assigned a panel of patients to manage. Panel size at this time is determined by utilizing VHA PCMM software. Panel size is determined at the National level, through a complex formula which extracts local information regarding acuity of assigned patients, available support staff, number of exam rooms, etc. Each provider's panel size is specific to their practice and setting.
• Alternative or collateral duties may include management of a subsection of primary care patients, the subsection may be defined either by a disease status (e.g. agent orange patients), or demographic status (women veterans, OIF/OEF veterans, etc). Typically these duties are designated at the time of joining but occasionally during the course of employment, participation in special projects pertinent to assigned section may be necessary as the projects become available through strategic or other initiatives.
• Most providers will need to act as surrogates for the patient's of their colleagues, when one or more of their colleagues are on leave.
• Typical work hours are Monday to Friday 8-4.30 PM. Alternative work hours, if desired, should be agreed upon at the time of joining. Each full time provider is required to work a minimum of 80 hrs per pay period (every two weeks) unless on leave status.
• All physician assistants need to follow departmental and VHA policies for leave and attendance and will work within Title 38 appointment guidelines. Leaves should be requested in as much advance as possible to minimize patient cancellations. All unscheduled absences must be properly communicated, and patients should be rescheduled within time frame as specified in department's policies.
• Timely documentation is necessary in all areas in accordance with departmental policy. All administrative work should be completed in a timely fashion.
• Clinical reminders should be addressed as medically appropriate. Quality of care should be able to meet professional standards at all times.
• All physician assistants will work within their privileges at all times, unless necessitated by an emergency.

Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• 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.
• English Language Proficiency. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(f), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• 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).
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

Qualifications

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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: Candidate's education, scope, and length of nursing practice (experience) will be considered 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.

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.