Clarification from the agency

All current and permanent BCVAMC and VHA employees must submit SF--50 as proof of current employment to receive eligibility/consideration as either agency or facility employee. Area of Consideration - 1. Current permanent VA employees of the facility. 2. All other VA employees. 3. Current permanent Federal employees of other agencies. 4. All other applicants. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

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Applicants note: This position will be filled as either a Physician Assistant (PA) or a Nurse Practitioner (NP). This is determined by the selecting official. This announcement is for applicants applying for the PA position only. If you are interested in applying as a NP, please go to Vacancy Announcement CBSR-12859494-26-RB to submit your application.

This position is for a Compensation and Pension Physician Assistant at the Battle Creek Veterans Affairs Medical Center. The primary role of the Physician Assistant is in the Compensation and Pension Department at the Battle Creek VA Medical Center campus, but may provide coverage throughout the facility, and CVT coverage to sites within the Battle Creek Health Care Delivery System. The Physician Assistant is expected to work Monday - Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. Hours may be rotated or extended based on the needs of the Medical Center and our Veterans. There are no on-call responsibilities for this position.

Major duties and responsibilities will include:
- Evaluation of patients who have applied for a service-connected disability including chart reviews in Veterans Benefits Management System (VBMS) and in clinic physical exams as ordered by the Veterans Benefits Administration and in accordance with the guidelines and regulations of the Office of Disability and Medical Assessment (DMA).
- Coordination of the efforts of multiple disciplines involved in a wide range of testing used in various departments, serve as consultant and resource person, develop and implement education programs for patients, families and staff. This person must demonstrate ability to work effectively with various disciplines responsible for patient care services.
- Maintaining the DMA Certification for each disability examination.
- Entering accurate, complete, timely progress notes for each episode of care in the patient's electronic record. This is accomplished by utilizing the Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS).
- Act as a consultant to other team/staff members.
- Adheres to safety, health, and infection control standards, regulations and work practices, as well as ergonomic standards. He/she reports any unsafe conditions to supervisor and/or appropriate officials.
- Assists in orientation of new staff and will provide patient and family education.

Additionally, the incumbent is expected to participate in performance improvement activities, disaster preparedness, administrative duties, and other responsibilities assigned by Medical Service.

Providers are responsible for understanding the approved settings for granted privileges. In requesting clinical privileges, providers acknowledge these setting restrictions and agree to exercise clinical privileges only in approved settings under appropriate, supported conditions. In an emergency or life-threatening situation, providers are authorized and expected to perform any indicated treatments and procedures within their capabilities until the patient can be moved to an appropriate setting.

The Physician Assistant is to practice in accordance with VA guidelines; Battle Creek VAMC policies/procedures; medical staff bylaws, rules and regulations; and in accordance with current Joint Commission standards.

Additional duties as assigned.

Pay: Competitive salary, regular salary increases, potential for performance awards
Paid Time Off: 50 days of paid time off per year (26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year)
Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA
Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)
Licensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory
Work Schedule: Monday-Friday from 8:00a to 4:30p. Hours may be rotated or extended based on the needs of the Medical Center and our Veterans.
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): 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 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

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.
• Language: Individuals appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d).
• Education:
  • Master's degree in any discipline or
  • a bachelor's degree in any discipline with one year of experience as a Physician Assistant ~AND~
• Training Program:
  • Successfully passed the PA National Certifying Exam (PANCE) or
  • in the process to taking the exam ~AND~
• License: 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: The following criteria for Physician Assistants must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates, and if appropriate, the level within a grade.

Physician Assistant-I (PA-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:

• i. Ability to utilize the principles of PA practice in the care of assigned patients to provide appropriate care.
• ii. Ability to perform patient history and physical.
• iii. Ability to formulate a plan and provide treatment to the patient.
• iv. Ability to provide patient care that is abreast of changing concepts and advancements in the profession.

Physician Assistant-II (PA-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:

• i. Two years of successful practice as a PA.OR
• ii. 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
• iii. 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:

• i. Skills to analyze and solve complex medical problems.
• ii. Ability to function autonomously and make independent medical decisions.
• iii. Skill to incorporate training and experience into the successful practice of patient care including telehealth medical care.
• iv. Ability to work effectively in an interdisciplinary environment for improvement of services for patient care.
• v. Ability to practice with colleagues and peers collaboratively.

Physician Assistant-III (PA-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:

• i. Three years of successful practice as a PA.OR
• ii. 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
• iii. 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:

• i. Ability to clinically evaluate facility patient care delivery systems and validate or identify barriers to safe and effective patient care.
• ii. 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).
• iii. Ability to present clinical findings and recommendations to appropriate management officials.
• iv. Ability to clinically facilitate the delivery of patient care in collaboration with health professionals, health managers, and other health care personnel.
• v. 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.
• vi. 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 03. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 01 to 03.

Physical Requirements: Heavy Lifting (45 lbs. and over); Heavy Carrying (45 lbs. and over); Pushing (1 hour); Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking (up to 3 hours); Standing (up to 3 hours); Repeated bending (1-2 hours); Both legs required; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; ability to distinguish basic colors; ability to distinguish shades of colors; Hearing (aid permitted)

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.